By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The AVM Bernardo Slaughterhouse in Bacolod City’s Barangay Handumanan is asking the city government for a 28¢ per kilogram (kg) increase in their slaughter fee. According to AVM Bernardo plant manager Glorydee Cometa, an increase is necessary due to higher employee salaries, fuel hikes, and additional entitlements by the employees’ union.
The current slaughter fee is P2.75/kg and 25¢ for the delivery fee.
The facility submitted a request letter last month to City Councilor Bartolome Orola, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouses.
Cometa said the increase is part of a previously signed memorandum of agreement.
Section 16 of the said agreement notes: “AVM shall be allowed to recommend for the adjustment of slaughter and delivery fees provided that any increase shall not be more than 10 percent compounded and shall be reasonable and justified by the unavoidable increase in the actual cost of operation and only upon the approval and concurrence of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.”/DGB, WDJ