By CESAR JOLITO III
The Negros Occidental provincial government is set to open six newly constructed abattoirs across key local government units this year, a move aimed at strengthening food safety standards and supporting the province’s meat industry.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the slaughterhouses, located in the towns of Hinoba-an, Cauayan, Binalbagan, Murcia, and Toboso, as well as San Carlos City, will be fully operational in compliance with the strict regulations of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).
“This is part of our priority this year to ensure that meat products sold in the province are clean, safe and compliant with national standards, especially for meat exporters,” Lacson said.
He noted that proper slaughter and inspection facilities are critical to consumer protection and market access.
To ensure sustainability, the provincial government will conduct capacity-building and technical training for local government unit (LGU) personnel who will manage the facilities.
The program will focus on NMIS compliance, food safety protocols, quality control, and value-adding initiatives for meat products to increase competitiveness.
Negros Occidental is among the country’s leading backyard swine-producing provinces based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, underscoring the need for modern slaughter facilities that meet regulatory and market requirements.
The construction of the abattoirs is part of the province’s broader push, launched in 2022, to develop a modern and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.
The project was implemented through a multi-sector partnership, with funding support from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the World Bank, the national government, and participating LGUs.
Under the PRDP scheme, 80 percent of the project cost was financed by the World Bank, while the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government each contributed 10 percent.
Once operational, the new abattoirs are expected to improve meat handling practices, enhance public health safeguards, and create new economic opportunities for local livestock raisers and meat processors across the province./CJ, WDJ