By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

According to the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), there have been around 25,000 dressed chickens sold across the province that lack proper meat inspection certificates or were not processed at legitimate dressing plants.
In a radio interview over the weekend, PVO head, Dr. Renante Decena, said his office is presently validating 16 illegal dressing plants in the province, 13 of which are located in Bacolod City.
The provincial official said he recently met with the PVO meat inspection department and officials from National Meat Inspection Services in order to discuss the issue.
Decena said he is concerned the uninspected dressed chickens may cause health problems.
He also admitted the province currently lacks dressing plants, although plants in Bago City and EB Magalona are expected to begin operations by the end of this year./DGB, WDJ