Stiffer penalties vs 'botcha' peddlers sought

MANILA, Philippines - Two legislators are now pushing for stiffer penalties for the importation, distribution and selling of double dead meat or botcha to stop its proliferation in the country especially in Metro Manila.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao partylist Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. filed House Bill 4190, which slaps importers, distributors and sellers of botcha with a two-year jail term and a fine of P500,000.

The bill, which amends Republic Act 9296 or the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines, also provides for the automatic revocation of the violators’ license to operate business.

Rodriguez said the penalties provided under the existing law are insufficient. 

“The penalty for the sale of hot meat is confiscation and the imposition of administrative fines. These sanctions are not enough,” Rodriguez said.

Even the National Meat Inspection Commission said the current National meat Inspection Code could not deter the sale of botcha because the penalties are too low, Rodriguez added.

“The practice has now become prevalent in the country especially in Metro Manila, which is very unfortunate because this jeopardizes both consumers and producers by endangering health and disturbing market stability.  Double dead meat contains germs and micro-organisms that could cause illnesses like diarrhea and food poisoning,” he said.

Local hog and poultry raisers take botcha from animals that are sick or those that died of disease. They sell the double dead meat at cheap prices to willing meat vendors.