City eyes moving abattoir to property in Mambaling

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries is looking into the possibility of transferring the city abattoir to a bigger area in Barangay Mambaling.

The city’s slaughterhouse was supposed to be built in the area in the early 1950’s, but Resolution No. 681 aborted the plan because the same would be impractical, expensive, and had the potential to endanger the health of those living nearby. 

In 1954, the area was declared a permanent reservation site for the abattoir, city pound, stockyard and veterinary center.

Yesterday, City Veterinarian Alice Utlang said Mayor Michael Rama instructed her to revisit the plan, especially that the current abattoir located in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City is already dilapidated. The mayor also thinks it would be better to have the abattoir within Cebu City.

Utlang said considering that the site in Mambaling is a bigger area, the same would be an ideal place to build an abattoir with a Triple A accreditation from the National Meat Inspection Services.

Utlang said they have already received proposals for a build-operate-transfer deal from private companies.

“Ipa-rehabilitate gihapon namo ang building karon especially the roofing, pero kung magtukod na ta og bag-ong abattoir, adto na ta kung mahimo,” Utlang said.

One problem Utlang noted is the presence of informal settlers that have started occupying the area in Mambaling.

“Nindot lagi unta to pero tan-awonon pa kay problema naman sad ang mga namuyo na diha,” Utlang said. — (FREEMAN)