HOG raisers belonging to the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. (ProPork) called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to push through with its previous plan of constructing an “AAA” slaughterhouse in Bulacan.
ProPork President Edwin Chen said the setup of more triple A abattoirs will boost the local hog industry’s export capabilities.
“Last year the NMIS [National Meat Inspection Service] already gave funding for the construction of a slaughterhouse in Batangas. We are again requesting the DA to put up one in Bulacan,” Chen told reporters on the sidelines of an agribusiness event held recently in Pasay City.
“Manila is our center of business and, unfortunately, we don’t have any triple A slaughterhouses near [the city],” he added.
Chen said he and other industry stakeholders brought the matter to the attention of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol in a meeting last week.
The establishment of a triple A abbattoir in Bulacan would help ensure that pork produced in the province is world-class, which will allow producers to tap the export market, he said.
Chen said the proposed triple A slaughterhouse may cost up to P360 million, depending on its capacity.
“We have to coordinate with the NMIS and the local government to come up with the plan. The producers in the area would share the facility to improve their products,” he added.
Slaughterhouses in the country are categorized as “A,” “AA” and “AAA”.
“A” slaughterhouses are those allowed to cater within city or municipality where they are located, while pork from “AA” slaughterhouses is suitable for domestic consumption. “AAA” slaughterhouses are those with facilities and operational procedures appropriate for the domestic and international markets.
In 2014 former Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the DA will put up a P150-million triple A slaughterhouse for hogs in Tanauan, Batangas. The abattoir in Batangas is envisioned to process at least 250 hogs per day. Alcala had also vowed to put up a triple A slaughterhouse in Bulacan.
Chen said the construction of the Tanauan-based triple A slaughterhouse for hogs is still ongoing.
Sought for comment, Piñol said he will study the feasibility of putting up a triple A abattoir in Bulacan.
To date, there are only four accredited triple A slaughterhouses in the country, which are all being operated by the private sector, according to NMIS, an attached agency of the DA.
According to NMIS, these “AAA” abattoirs are the San Miguel Foods Inc.-Monterey Meat Plant in Dasmariñas, Cavite; Sunpride Foods Inc. in Mandaue City; Nestfarms Inc. in Davao City; and Matutum Meat Packing Corp. in South Cotabato.