Lagawe reorganizes Task Force Bantay Karne

LAGAWE, Ifugao - The local government here reorganized its Task Force Bantay Karne (TFBK) in a bid to protect meat consumers and prevent the influx of hot meat in this capital town.

Mayor Ceasario Cabbigat said the reorganization is pursuant to the enacted municipal ordinance requiring all meat to undergo rigid inspection and to be issued meat inspection certificates before it would be disposed or sold to consumers to avoid the widespread of communicable diseases.

The ordinance further stated uninspected or illegally transported meat found in the possession of a meat vendor will be confiscated and properly disposed with his license be revoked and permanently banned from engaging business in the municipality.

The TFBK is headed by the municipal mayor with the agriculture’s office, local police, non-government organizations, social welfare office, and municipal health office, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), municipal council chairperson on committee on health and laws and all barangay captains as members.

The task force will formulate and recommend programs and activities relevant to livestock, meat and meat product development, and implement the same upon the approval of higher authorities.

It is also tasked to strengthen the checking of illegal slaughtering and hot meat distribution and sale within the municipality including the necessary documents of all meat products.

Furthermore, the TFBK will inspect and confiscate all meat violating to the existing ordinance for the regulation of meat distribution including other National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) provision and other pertinent laws. (Mhars B. Lihgawon)