Legazpi to run abattoir with its own inspection crew

By Emmanuel Solis

LEGAZPI CITY --- The city government here gains independence in meat inspection services, targets growth in its revenue.

In a significant development, the city government of Legazpi has achieved qualification for its Local Meat Inspection Services (LMIS), marking its autonomy after a successful evaluation and validation conducted by a National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) team from Manila in September.

City Veterinarian Dr. Emmanuel Estipona shared in a recent interview that the Double AA slaughterhouse will now operate independently under LMIS management, effective November, without the need for NMIS supervision.

He highlighted that, with LMIS in place, the city no longer has the obligation to allocate a 25-percent share of the slaughterhouse’s annual revenue to NMIS.

This move aligns with the Mandanas Ruling, allowing the city to operate its meat inspection services autonomously. The existing slaughterhouse has become a revenue-generating asset for the city, processing an average of 100 to 130 animals daily and contributing over P17 million annually from slaughtering service fees.

Estipona outlined ambitious plans for the future, aiming to increase annual revenue to PHP20 million. To accommodate this growth, the city government plans to construct a new slaughterhouse building, ensuring a consistent meat supply in local markets.

The proposed facility, planned on a 6,000-square meter lot in Barangay Taysan, awaits a PHP77-million grant from the World Bank through the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), under the Department of Agriculture.

Upon completion, the new facility will feature a cold storage unit and a cutting plant, enhancing food safety measures and preventing contamination in the slaughtering process.

Estipona emphasized that the necessary documentation is underway, with anticipation for the release of funds once all PRDP requirements are met.

The city’s strategic move towards self-sufficiency in meat inspection services signals a positive trajectory for its economic and agricultural endeavors. (PNA)