Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Agriculture dep't grants additional funds for abattoir
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has granted additional funds amounting to P9 million to the City Government of Iloilo to finance the class AA abattoir in Barangay Tacas, District of Jaro, Iloilo City.
DA Regional Director Jindra Linda Demeterio assured the City Government of Iloilo of the P9-million grant from the DA Central Office.
The public would be assured of good quality and safe meat from the class AA abattoir. The city's current abattoir, old and rundown, is in Molo district.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the grant will be used for the construction of the holding pen and to buy needed slaughtering equipment identified by the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC).
The mayor said he will follow up the immediate release of the grant with DA Assistant Secretary for Administration and Finance Felix Jose Montes.
The City Government started construction of the slaughterhouse in May 2005. It was supposed to be completed by October of the same year. Until now, however, the facility remains unfinished.
Construction stopped because of inconveniences in the delivery of materials on the site and the delay of the release of funds from the DA.
Among others, Treñas said the City Government will buy delivery vans.
"The wastewater treatment shall be put up later," Treñas said.
Recently, Councilor Perla Zulueta expressed concern over the snail-paced construction of the slaughterhouse.
"I'm afraid the project would be a white elephant," she had said.
Though the DA is financing the construction, the City Government has its share. It provided the lot-2.3 hectares. It will also be the one to build the perimeter fence and provide the equipment needed.
Citing the project's viability, the DA is actually hesitant to finance the abattoir, revealed Zulueta. She cited a previous letter the DA addressed to the City Council, which caught her attention while she was pouring over documents pertaining to the project.
Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (Acef) National Technical Secretariat, OIC-Project Development Service and Head Director Roberto Villa wrote the SP relative to the intent of the city government to secure a P10.8 million loan from the Acef for the construction of the abattoir.
"We wish to inform you in advance, however, that the LGU (local government unit) might be required to strongly justify its request for a class AA abattoir since there is already a similar NMIS (National Meat Inspection Service)-accredited facility at Barangay Nabitasan, Leganes, Iloilo under Acef assistance, which is proximate to the city of Iloilo," wrote Villa.
He noted that the Leganes facility is underutilized for lack of users" the same might be encountered by your proposed facility."
The new abattoir will have a wastewater treatment facility, holding pen and a water system. (JG)
(June 21, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
