City having private partner to operate slaughterhouse

The Mandaue City government is not closing the city-owned slaughterhouse, just to temporarily stop its operations for a private partner to take over.

Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna clarified this yesterday after Councilor Carmelino del Mar Jr. proposed an ordinance wanting the facility's closure because it is not generating revenue and for violating environmental regulations.

Fortuna said the Mandaue City Council may have to withdraw the ordinance or amend it.

"The intent is not to close but to…open it for a private partner to operate it," he said.

He spoke with Mayor Luigi Quisumbing the other night and the mayor clarified to him that he only wanted to end the city operating it.

"He meant not to close it because we will continue to impose regulatory fees, which will cease if we close the slaughterhouse. So he meant only to end the operations by the government. I think Councilor Jun (del Mar Jr.) misinterpreted what the mayor wanted," he said.

Fortuna said the slaughterhouse, which is located in Barangay Labogon, failed to generate revenue because of lack of personnel and non-operational equipment.

"The reduction of its income is attributed to the non-operation of the equipment that would have mechanized the operations of the slaughterhouse. We are back to manual. This has significantly affected…revenue," he said.

He also said delays in the procurement process have likewise affected operations of the slaughterhouse, adds Fortuna.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also found out that the slaughterhouse does not have a wastewater treatment facility.

Another violation is that the slaughterhouse failed to submit quarterly Self-Monitoring Reports (SMR) and renew its Discharge Permit at least one month before the expiration date.

In his proposed ordinance, del Mar said closure of the slaughterhouse will help ensure good health and safety of the people.

"It is the objective of this ordinance to close the said slaughterhouse, in compliance with its duty to promote the health and safety of the people that ensure the protection of human-animal health, read the proposed ordinance.

If the closure gets approved and becomes effective immediately, the Mandaue City Veterinary Office will be responsible for the preparation of its abandonment plan and the processing of permits necessary for the closure.

The proposed measure, however, stated that the city will still continue to regulate the livestock market even if the slaughterhouse is closed. —

Christell Fatima M. Tudtud / RHM