Cops to be deployed at slaughterhouse

By Maricar M. Calubiran

Police personnel would be deployed at the Iloilo City Slaughterhouse in Molo district in order to maintain cleanliness of the dilapidated facility.

Mayor Jerry Treñas, who opposed the suggested closure of the slaughterhouse, said cops would be assigned in the area to ensure that the butchers would maintain its cleanliness.

Treñas said this was decided after his meeting with City Veterinarian Tomas Forteza last Friday. He said the city veterinarian was disappointed with the laziness of the butchers in  cleaning the slaughterhouse.

The mayor has already ordered Forteza to confer with Sr. Supt. Norlito Bautista as regards the number of cops to be detailed in the slaughterhouse and the hours that they should be on duty.

Earlier, Forteza recommended the closure of the city slaughterhouse because of its deplorable state and opted to have all swines and cattles slaughtered in Passi City and Leganes. Both are Class “AA” abattoirs but far from the city.

The mayor said the collection at the slaughterhouse is doing well and there is no reason to have close it closed immediately except that they have to impose stricter orders in maintaining its cleanliness.

Aside from deployment of policemen, the city is also eyeing for the assignment of more contractual employees in the slaughterhouse to keep it sanitary.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlungsod recently approved a budget amounting to P380,000 for the maintenance and repair of the city slaughterhouse. The funds were supposed to be allocated for the traveling of City Treasurers employees. The council seeing the need for the fund allocated it for the maintenance and repair of the slaughterhouse.