AN OFFICIAL of the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) has urged the Mandaue City Government to improve its slaughterhouse in Barangay Labogon.

NMIS Director Eduardo Oblena made the recommendation in a meeting with Mayor Jonas Cortes and Mandaue City Veterinarian Karen Merilles.

Oblena said an NMIS inspection on the slaughterhouse showed that is outdated and needs to be modernized.

Merilles told SunStar Cebu the slaughterhouse has been operating manually since 2015 after its boiler exploded.

Before 2015, the slaughterhouse could generate up to 500 hogs a day. At present, it produces only 200 piglets and 30 hogs daily, Merilles said.

In 2017, it was also temporarily closed for not complying with the wastewater treatment facility (WTF) requirement.

Oblena said NMIS will offer technical assistance when the city decides to modernize its slaughterhouse.

Mandaue City is looking at a public-private partnership to develop and operate the facility at no cost to the city.

Aside from installing new equipment, Oblena said the city’s butchers will have to undergo skills training on the proper handling of food animals for health and sanitation. / KFD