Old slaughterhouse operation to end Nov. 3
Councilor Alex Paglumotan, Chairman of
the Committee on Markets and
Slaughterhouse holds a copy of the list of
old slaughterhouse residents who can
avail financial assistance from City
Government through Mayor Evelio
Leonardia.
BACOLOD CITY – Starting November 3 the old slaughterhouse in Brgy. 35 will be transformed into a meat or food processing area, said City Councilor Alex Paglumotan, chairman of Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse.
The councilor reported that everything is in place as the city government through Mayor Evelio Leonardia together with affected people around the old slaughterhouse agreed to end the operation on the said date.
On the October 30, Leonardia will distribute the financial assistance to more or less 100 residents of barangays 35, 34 and 36 who considered the slaughterhouse as their means of livelihood but because of development and standards set by the Department of Agriculture – National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), they already accepted their plight.
Paglumotan also announced that the mayor already signed documents for the release of P446,000 for their livelihood project.
"The money is not in the form of cash but to support those who are willing to undergo series of trainings in various livelihood fields," the councilor added.
He also expects a smooth transition but he made it clear that there will be no closure of the old slaughterhouse.
After November 3, the Task Force Butagoy will then operate fully to prevent "hot meat" entering the city's small and major markets.
Unmarked meat will be confiscated and be considered as illegally slaughtered.
People from the barangays affected made a series of rallies after the city government decided to transfer its operation to the new slaughterhouse in Barangay Handumanan – a more convenient and spacious area for the people working there. It is operated by AVM Bernardo Engineering with an investment of P54 million, but after twenty-years based on the Memorandum of Agreement it will go back to city's operation.
Handumanan barangay officials lead by Punong Barangay Ricardo Danoy welcomed the new slaughterhouse as it will give additional income and opportunities to his constituents.
Leonardia administration considered slaughterhouse as top priority project to provide clean and quality meat for Bacoleños.
"I have no choice except to do what is right for the welfare of my people, I know that there are people who suffer the consequences of development but others also welcome it," the mayor said.
AVM President Bombit Bernardo on the other hand reported that they incurred loses since the start of operation on August. Millions will again lose from their investment if the city will allow the continued operation of the old one.
They allowed extensions to the operation of the old slaughterhouse because of humanitarian reasons.