Meat inspector in hot water over 'hot meat'
BACOLOD CITY – A meat inspector of the City Veterinary Office is in hot water after his failure to issue an "order of condemnation" to the "hot meat" confiscated in a public market in Brgy. Bata Friday last week.
City Legal Officer Atty. Allan Zamora issued yesterday a Memorandum to Meat Inspector II Dr. Carlitos Limos.
Limos was given 72 hours to give his written reply why he should not be held administratively liable for Grave Misconduct.
Zamora said that last November 7, 2008, members of the Composite Enforcement Unit assigned with the Task Force Botagoy informed his office that there was an apprehension of "hot meat" in a satellite market in Brgy. Bata and this apprehension was referred to said Meat Inspector to issue an order of condemnation but the assigned inspector returned the "hot meat" to the owner and in effect, allowed the said confiscated meat to be sold.
He said that when he confronted Limos about the matter, the Meat Inspector justified that he returned the meat for humanitarian consideration.
"Limos as meat inspector is duty bound to issue an order of condemnation since this is the main thrust of the city mayor to confiscate illegally slaughtered meat after the old slaughterhouse was closed last week," Zamora said.
Zamora said as a result of Limos' actions, another meat inspector was assigned to issue an "order of condemnation" for more than 80 kilos of hot meat confiscated at the satellite market in Purok Marapara 2, Brgy. Bata last Saturday.
Noel Nagum, owner of the "hot meat" admitted that he did not bring the animals to the city's slaughterhouse in Brgy. Handumanan for ante mortem and post mortem examination.
On the other hand. Legal Officer 3 Atty. Vicente Petierre, who spearhead the apprehension, confirmed that that confiscated meat was burned and buried in Brgy. Handumanan. Petierre said that they will continue the operation as part of their campaign that all meat should be slaughtered to the accredited slaughterhouse being operated by the AVM Bernardo Engineering Services.