City abattoir incurs P5 M income loss

By Paulo DS. Papa

NAGA CITY---The annual income of the Naga City Abattoir (NCA) has decreased by P5 million in 2020 due to African Swine Fever (ASF) infection in neighboring towns and the ill-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Roberto G. Acabado, NCA chief, said that in 2019, prior to the occurrence of ASF and Covid-19, the city government earned more than P19 million from the NCA’s butchery services.

He said that in 2019, hogs slaughtered in NCA totalled to some 78,000 heads compared to only 56,000 heads for the year 2020 or a decrease of 22,000 heads.

He said that butchery services for other livestock such as cow, carabao and lambs also decreased in 2020.

Acabado said that in 2020, only 2,800 cows were processed at the slaughter house, compared to 3,000 in 2019.

He said NCA has strictly enforced measures to prevent ASF infection in the facility.

The City Veterinary Office requires meat producers to present medical certificates showing that their livestock are fit for slaughter, Acabado said.