BACOLOD City – The additional P0.25 per kilo slaughter fee in an abattoir in this city is still pending at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) due to several concerns raised during the Committee on Markets hearing.
In a report submitted by Councilor Celia Flor, chairperson of the said committee, to the SP on Nov. 22, the AVM Bernardo Slaughterhouse has incurred P1.8 million in arrears to the city government.
The company also failed to upgrade its operation from double A to triple A, the report added.
An A classification means meat from the slaughterhouse can be transported within the city only, while an AA classification means the meat can be transported outside the city.
An AAA classification, on the other hand, means the meat from the slaughterhouse is safe enough to be shipped abroad.
Flor said because of these two major violations of the abattoir, members of the city council suggested rescinding its contract, which was to end in 2028.
Meat vendors, on their part, agreed to the increase in fees but are expecting better services.
Flor said meat vendors complained that the animal blood they received has thinned and the meat organs are lacking.
The slaughterhouse management has denied the allegations.
A meeting with the stakeholders and the City Legal Office is set to come up with a decision on the abattoir’s request.
“Even the employees of AVM Bernardo Slaughterhouse were also asking to approve the request so that they would have a salary increase,” Flor said.
The establishment last imposed an increase in 2017.
Under its memorandum of agreement with the city, the abattoir shall be allowed to recommend the adjustment of slaughter and delivery fees, provided that any increase shall not be more than 10 percent compounded, shall be reasonable and justified by the unavoidable increase in the actual cost of operation, and only upon the approval and concurrence of the SP.
The current charge for slaughter is P2.75 per kilo, while P0.25 for delivery./PN
