THE construction of a roasting facility for pigs and cattle at the Zamboanga City Government’s slaughterhouse in San Roque village is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Dr. Mario Arriola, City Veterinarian Office chief, said that domestic roasting of pigs and cattle or lechon will no longer be allowed once the facility is completed and operational.

Since 1993, when city’s slaughterhouse was established, Arriola said that individual and domestic roasting or lechon was allowed in residences as there was no facility for the purpose yet.

“But not anymore now. All roasting must be done at the slaughterhouse to ensure the lechon has passed meat inspection in keeping with the present administration’s priority thrust on health,” he said.

He said all 24 licensed lechoneros in the city must roast their pigs and cattle at the roasting facility once it is completed. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)