ILOILO CITY—Seven local government units (LGUs) from Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo have been endorsed by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) in Western Visayas to avail themselves of financial assistance for the establishment of double “A” slaughterhouse next year.
NMIS Regional Director Dr. Maria Ancilla Zartiga said the towns of Lambunao and Janiuay in Iloilo are among those that were endorsed under the Meat Establishment Improvement Program (MEIP).
Under the program, the NMIS will shell out similar amount equivalent to the fund that is raised by the LGU for the project.
Zartiga emphasized that LGUs that have obtained grant from them should make sure that their slaughterhouse is of double “A” standard and that they should maintain the accreditation.
In Western Visayas only the slaughterhouse in Ibajay, Aklan, gets a double “A” accreditation from the NMIS.
The abattoir in Miagao, Iloilo, is about to be completed, hopefully this year, she added.
The double “A” abattoir in Passi City was put in conditional status due to some improvements that have to be undertaken.
The slaughterhouse of Iloilo City is in the process of renovation and acquisition of equipment.
She added that the newly completed slaughterhouse in Barotac Viejo and Barotac Nuevo, all in Iloilo, are yet to be inspected by the NMIS.
Meat that was slaughtered in double “A” slaughterhouse can be transported within the country, while it can be sold only within the locality if it was done in an abattoir with “A”-classification.
Those slaughtered in triple “A” can be sold in the international market.