Carabao freedom run prompts probe of QC market

A carabao’s run for freedom over the weekend which left three people injured has prompted Quezon City councilors to revive their concerns about the continued operation of a slaughterhouse inside the Mega Q-Mart.

In a motion approved Monday, the council agreed to investigate why the abattoir was being allowed to operate when it did not have the required permits from local and national government agencies. In addition, it is situated inside a market which is in direct violation of the city market code.

“How is this particular establishment able to operate even without proper documentation? The lack of documentation poses the danger not only of animals escaping, causing serious damage, but it also puts at risk the health of consumers,” said Councilor Franz Pumaren who delivered a privilege speech on the issue that led to the calls for an investigation.

“The slaughterhouse does not have the proper permits and franchises from the Quezon City Council, Quezon City Market Development and Administration, and the National Meat Inspection Service. Moreover, it has a pending court case because of violations of the National Sanitation Code. [But despite these], Mega Q-Mart slaughterhouse is able to operate and is in fact paying business taxes,” he noted.

Pumaren added that the slaughterhouse apparently continued to operate because of a status quo order issued by a lower court.

The carabao which broke free and wreaked havoc in the Cubao area for around two hours on Saturday morning was bound for the slaughterhouse inside the market. It gored three people before authorities managed to restrain it.

Councilor Jaime Borres, the former chair of Barangay E. Rodriguez where Mega Q-Mart is located, called its operations “outrightly illegal” and said he had pushed for its closure.

“It was [I] who filed the case against them because we have a law. The law is clear that slaughterhouses aren’t allowed inside markets. I wanted that slaughterhouse closed,” he added. But to his dismay, a court issued a status quo order, allowing the market to continue operations. Jaymee T. Gamil