The Marikina City government has intensified its campaign against “double-dead meat” being sold in markets to prevent the proliferation of botcha that causes adverse health effects on people who consumed them.
Dr. Manuel Carlos, head of the City Veterinary Services Office, said that meat inspections were being conducted round the clock –from 12 midnight to 7 p.m. of the next day – to ensure that no “unsanitary meat” makes it to the stalls of public and private markets in the shoe capital.
Carlos said meat inspectors from the CVSO were doing the rounds at the city’s markets.
“We also confiscate meats that are illegally slaughtered as well as imported buffalo meats from India as these are banned by the government,” he said.
Those who are caught selling double-dead meat and hot meat are ordered to pay a fine of P5,000.
Unlike botcha, hot meat can be fit for human consumption, but did not undergo the proper inspection by concerned government agencies.
Once confiscated, the CVSO said the hot meat would be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, jails, rehabilitation centers and to a home for the aged facility in Antipolo, Rizal province.
According to the local official, the duration and frequency of these meat inspections would also increase as the holiday season in December approaches.
“[They will be conducted] from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. of the following day [usually] … every December 24 to 25 and December 28 to 30,” Carlos said.
He said that 24 meat inspectors would be on duty. Kristine Felisse Mangunay