City Administrator to Councilor Paglumotan: Feasibility study first
Bacolod City – The pronouncement of Councilor Alex Paglumotan stating that the old slaughterhouse will be converted into a meat processing zone is being countered by City Administrator Rogelio Balo. Balo is chairman of the Asset and Property Management Committee and Utilization o the Old Slaughterhouse Committee.
Balo said there should be a feasibility study first before the implementation of such plan since it is very vital in financing the project especially when the city entered into a loan later.
"The decision of converting it into meat processing zone is not yet final without the said study", Balo clarified.
On that study, the city should look into different aspects of the project like technical, economic, social transformation or its total effect to the city.
Councilor Paglumotan earlier announced to the public that they are planning to convert the old abattoir into a meat processing zone after the city decided to transfer to Brgy. Handumanan.
"It will give another opportunity for the displaced people in barangays 34, 35, 36 who are getting their livelihood from the slaughterhouse", he added.
The city contracted with AVM Bernardo Engineering for twenty years under the add-operate-and-transfer scheme.
Private abattoir operator got the full operation on November 2008 despite of the call for retention of some people questioning the move of the city to transfer.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia approved the budget for a financial assistance ranging from P3,000 to P5,000 for displaced butchers and offal cleaners. At least a hundred of them received the amount while livelihood projects were implemented to some families.
Some were employed at AVM with the same job description but others sued the city and city officials, asking the court to issue Temporary Restraining Order/Injunction on the operation of the new slaughterhouse.