Nearly three decades after building its own abattoir, the Virac municipal government last week broke ground for the construction of a modern, Class “AA” slaughterhouse funded with P44 million from the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Program.
Last Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 at the site of the existing slaughterhouse in Bigaa, Mayor Samuel Laynes joined PRDP National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) Deputy Project Director Shandy Hubilla, National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Regional Technical Director Alex Templonuevo, RPCO 5 Deputy Project Director Adelina Losa, Vice Mayor Arlynn Arcilla and members of the Sangguniang Bayan as well as section heads of the Virac LGU in kickstarting construction of the project.
In his message, Mayor Laynes said he is thrilled that after so many years, an improved meat plant will rise in the capital town.
“We are happy that finally, we can now start the construction to transform Virac into a source of quality meat and meat products and generate local employment for self-employes meat processors and butchers,” he added.
Damaged by past typhoons, the existing slaughterhouse is small, has no proper division for large and small animals and does not have a drainage system.
On the other hand, the new slaughterhouse to be funded by PRDP will have a main building with a floor area of 254 square meters as well as holding pens with a total area of 112 square meters and a condemnation pit.
It will have paved access roads, covered canal and sidewalks, curb and gutter, streetlights, elevated water tank, carport, electrical room and pump house.
As its counterpart, the LGU will build a mechanized sewage treatment facility to mitigate the impact of waste disposal in compliance with environmental impact assessment and regulations.
It will also provide a guard house, gate and perimeter fence as well as butchers’ quarters and mess hall.
The slaughterhouse will have a capacity of 57 heads of swine per day and at least seven (7) heads of cattle per day, with the holding pens capable of accommodating 91 heads of swine and 10 heads of cattle overnight.
Construction of the project would take at least 282 calendar days or about 10 months.
Once completed, the AA slaughterhouse would ensure the production of better quality and safe meat although meat prices are expected to increase by about P5 per kilo.
The number of animals slaughtered is projected to increase because of meat safety, hygienic fabrication, and more economical and efficient operations.
The service-oriented project would also make it possible to provide local hotels, restaurants and households with choice cuts and good quality meat.
In addition, it would generate job opportunities and bring additional income to the municipality from slaughter fees that will be collected from clients.