AS PART of the ongoing transition process in Mandaue City, the incoming administration’s transition team inspected several key facilities, including the city’s hog slaughterhouse.
Incoming City Administrator Sally Malig-on led the inspection on Thursday, June 26, 2025, which stemmed from issues raised during transition meetings with department heads.
The visit was prompted by issues raised by the City Veterinary Office and the abattoir that indicated the slaughterhouse has long been in poor shape.
Damaged before Typhoon Odette hit in 2021, the slaughterhouse, which was once rated as a “Double A” facility for having met standards for hygienic and mechanized slaughter operations, has since further deteriorated.
“What we heard is that they’re doing things manually now, even for poultry. We didn’t have firsthand information from the City, so I personally went to check,” Malig-on said in Cebuano.
The slaughterhouse problems include broken and rusting equipment, unsanitary flooring, poor waste disposal, lack of proper ventilation, and signs of structural damage, all of which point to years of neglect.
According to Malig-on, some of the facility’s infrastructure had already been damaged even before Typhoon Odette in 2021, but no substantial repairs or upgrades have taken place since.
Malig-on said they were able to confirm reports that the slaughterhouse was in such a deplorable state.
“That’s the word I can use to describe the condition of our slaughterhouse, deplorable especially for a city that prides itself as highly urbanized,” he said.
Private operators
Malig-on said parts of the slaughterhouse operations appear to be handled by private individuals. He questioned whether all this had any legal authority or formal agreement with the city. He said he intends to check if the private operators are paying the City, or if any revenue is going to the local government.
Malig-on said the transition team also plans to consult experts on whether the slaughterhouse is still viable or if improvements are feasible.
They also want to know if the facility still holds proper accreditation to ensure that the slaughterhouse meets safety standards for consumers.
Asked about Malig-on’s findings, outgoing City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan declined to comment.
“No comment for now since we’re already on our way out,” said Calipayan.
Calipayan said the City initially planned to open the slaughterhouse to a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), and there were interested parties who expressed intentions to submit unsolicited proposals.
“But that’s up to them (incoming administration) now,” he said.
Aside from the slaughterhouse, the transition team is also looking into the city hospital, which was flagged for safety and operational concerns. Malig-on said there were minor housekeeping and accounting issues at the city hospital.
He explained that the work of the transition team was purely fact-finding, and any major decisions or actions will be made by incoming Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano once he assumes office.
The team also checked on the City Hall grounds to see if the area can be cleared, the public market, and the Mandaue City College (MCC). / CAV