New city abattoir seen to affect some private slaughterhouses

The Cebu city government may shut down some private slaughterhouses in the city if plans get under way to operate a proposed modern abattoir this year, an official said.

Dr. Alice Utlang, city veterinarian, said that once the modern abattoir, which still needs final approval of City Hall, would start operations, then the city government would require “maximum compliance” of standards of sanitation and efficiency in other slaughterhouses.

Utlang said the new abattoir as designed would be enough to address the city’s need for clean and safe meat supply.

“For now we allow private slaughterhouses to operate because we cannot serve all,” said Utlang in a press briefing yesterday.

Utlang said the city issued permits to 31 private slaughterhouses, which are also engaged in the lechon business and four dressing plants.

At present, private slaughterhouses are allowed to operate with “minimum” compliance of city government standards.

Requirements include the need to slaughter at least five heads a day, secure health cards for workers and have them undergo training with the city veterinary office and keep the slaughter area clean.

The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) also prohibits the operation of a slaughterhouse in a residential area.

For now, Utlang said, the city abattoir at the North Reclamation Area can’t meet public demand for dressed chicken and meat.

Classified as a single A slaughterhouse by NMIS, this was only authorized to slaughter meat for city distribution.

The slaughterhouse earned P25 million to P30 million per year, said Utlang.

She said she wanted the city’s accreditation upgraded to double A so that operation could expand distribution and double or triple income to the city.

Businessman Francis Cellones, who installed equipment in the old abattoir, is proposing to build a new abattoir for the city under a build-and-transfer scheme.

The project estimated to cost P100 million will rise in part of the old agriculture office at the NRA.

Utlang said the area would suit a modern abattoir well because it was close to the city’s Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

Utlang said Cellones was proposing a five-year payment term before the facility would be turned over to the city government.

A copy of his proposal and feasibility study was submitted to City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete yesterday.

If approved, Utlang said, the modern abattoir project could start operating in the second quarter of the year.

The old abattoir would then be used as stockyard for livestock for slaughter./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac