DA extends another P5M for new slaughterhouse project

By Maricar M. Calubiran

City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the Department of Agriculture (DA) would extend another P5 million for the ongoing construction of Double A standard slaughterhouse in Barangay Tacas, Jaro.

Treñas, who just arrived from Canada yesterday, said DA Secretary Domingo Panganiban has assured him of additional financial assistance for the completion of the Double A abattoir in Tacas. The DA has already provided an initial funding of P6 million for the project.

The mayor estimated that the entire project would cost some P20 million. The structure alone costs P5.9, P3 million for refurbishing, P2 million for the holding pen and another P5 million for the water waste treatment plant. The figure does not include the installation of equipment. While, City Veterinarian Tomas Forteza said it would entail some P25 million to finish the whole project.

The bulk of the fund for the construction of the slaughterhouse came from the agriculture department. The procurement of lot, construction of the perimeter fence and access road leading to the site are the city’s counterpart in the project.

Meanwhile, Treñas said the P1.6 million for the construction of the access road in Tacas is already available. He, however, could not give the exact distance from the main road to the construction site. The city is now ready to bid the project.

The lack of access road prompted the contractor to stop the construction in August this year.

Treñas admitted that the time frame for the completion of the project is delayed. The project is expected to be finished on the first quarter of 2006.

The delay for the construction of the access road was attributed to the non-availability of funds. The city has to look for the funds, he said.

He said that even if the contractor will finish the construction of the project as earlier contained in the program of works the slaughterhouse could not still operate. The city still has to look for at least P5.5 million for the construction of the water waste treatment plant. This is a pre-requisite in the Clean Water Act.

The mayor said he is still looking for additional funds from his “friends” in Manila including the Office of the President. “As much as possible, we want to avoid in acquiring a loan just to finish the slaughterhouse,” he ended.