QC team monitoring markets for ‘hot’ meat

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has stepped up the campaign against the sale of "double dead" and FMD meat at the city’s markets to safeguard the health of residents.

The reinvigorated drive, implemented by City Veterinary Office, has netted almost 10,000 kilos of double dead meat in raids conducted at the Balintawak Market, Dantos Gajudo Market, and the Family Market, all in the Balintawak area, since December last year. A raid was also conducted on a piggery in Bulacan.

Veterinary Office OIC Dr. Ana Maria Cabel said the no-letup campaign against illegal meat is being undertaken in coordination with personnel from the Market Development Administration Department and the Department of Public Order and Safety.

Cabel said the latest raid, conducted last July 7, yielded 2,000 kilos.

The city veterinarian said most suppliers pass on the corona virus-infected meat to vendors for P40 a kilo, and then sell the hot meat for P90 per kilo.

She said that apart from raids, the team has also been conducting preventive measures.

Cabel said these include market inspections to make sure that proper sanitation and hygiene are observed.

She added that the team will also renew the implementation of a so-called "single-entry" ordinance, which requires that meat delivered to the city’s public and private markets pass through one entry point to ensure they are safe for consumption.