Meat vendors welcome planned slaughterhouse
FRESH meat vendors at the Malimgas Market welcome the planned construction of a slaughterhouse in Dagupan saying this bodes well for their profit margin.
One of the vendors, Dante Caldona, also the barangay chairman of Malued, said at present they are struggling to make a profit with the high cost of fresh meat that has to be transported into the city, making then lose patrons owing to the low price of imported frozen meat.
Caldona said having a slaughterhouse in the city will significantly bring down their cost.
The vendors attended a consultative meeting last week called by Mayor Belen Fernandez after the city secured a grant from the Department of Agriculture for the construction of a slaughterhouse.
Also present during the meeting was Gil Fabros, technical director of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) in Region 1, who discussed the technical description of the slaughterhouse.
He said that at least 3,000 square meters will be needed for the structure.
City Veterinary Officer Michael Maramba recalled that Dagupan used to have its own slaughterhouse in Barangay Tebeng until its facilities fully deteriorated.
Maramba did not recommend its renovation because its old design no longer meets current NMIS standards.
FROZEN MEAT
Meanwhile, the fresh meat vendors, outnumbering frozen meat vendors a hundred to five, asked the city administration to intervene in what they called unfair competition.
Maramba confirmed that 40 percent of the meat sold in the market are the frozen varieties given the lower price.
Fernandez ordered a review of existing local ordinances as a basis for controlling the trade, particularly on pricing.
Fabros, for his part, explained that while the city can control frozen meat trade, it cannot impose total prohibition because the Philippines is bound under the World Trade Organization agreement to allow the entry of frozen meat into its market.
PERMIT
In another development, Fernandez ordered an intensified inspection of market stalls at Malimgas Market as some vendors have been found to be operating without permits.
“We should compel all meat vendors to secure permits and pay their taxes which can be used to pay workers who will ensure that meats entering the markets in the city are safe,” the mayor said. (CIO)
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