Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin in one of his inspections of the new slaughterhouse. File photo
“No more animal torture and abuse” at the soon to be state-of-the-art Angeles City Slaughterhouse (ACS).
One of the most common criticisms against slaughterhouses involve the inhumane treatment of animals – ranging from workers kicking, punching, slamming animals into walls. Some are even chained and dragged across the slaughterhouse, beaten with various tools, and sometimes hacked with an axe.
As a known champion for animal welfare, having provided premium programs for the city’s feline and canine friends, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. aims to eradicate this notion of slaughterhouses, that is why he has actively pushed for its renovation.
“We have always advocated for animal welfare ever since. Dito sa Angeles City, hindi lang kapakanan ng mga residente ang pinangangalagaan natin, kundi pati na rin ang mga hayop dito. With this new slaughterhouse, we want to promote a more humane treatment and handling of live stocks and poultry,” Lazatin shared.
Mayor Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas meanwhile said that the construction of the new slaughterhouse will transpire through a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) partnership with Cabanatuan EACA Agroventures.
Under the said agreement, Calaguas explained, the city government will lease their land for 25 years to the private partner, with the latter paying monthly rent until the end of the contract.
In return, Cabanatuan EACA Agroventures, will shoulder the construction, including the financing, operation and maintenance of the slaughterhouse structure, amounting to P80 million.
After 25 years, the finished state-of-the-art slaughterhouse will be turned over to the city government.
Lito Corpuz, the General Manager of the ACS, said under the ongoing renovation, the new city slaughterhouse will be upgraded from Single A to Double A category, which means it will be accredited by the National Meat Services Inspection (NMSI). More so, the processed meat from the slaughterhouse can be distributed outside Angeles City.
“Yung dating slaughterhouse, hogs, cattle, and carabaos lang ang napo-process natin. Ngayon, sa newly renovated slaughterhouse, magkakaroon na rin tayo ng automated Poultry Dressing Plant para sa mga manok,” Corpuz added.
“Since automated na yung proseso, mababawasan yung paggamit ng kamay at pag-transfer ng bacteria. Sisiguraduhin din nating may maayos na paglalagyan yung mga manok, para hindi sila nakakalat sa sahig,” he furthered.
In terms of treating the animals humanely, Corpuz explained that the new facility will employ humane strategy, where animals will be stunned first before they are processed.
“Imbes na injection, gagamit tayo ng electric stunner o captive bolt stunner para makatulog at mawalan ng pakiramdam bago sila katayin,” Corpuz shared.
Moreover, once finished, the ACS will be able to process 4,000 to 5,000 chicken per hour; 700 to 1,000 hogs per 12-hour operation; and 100 to 200 cattle and carabaos per 12-hour operation.
Aside from the newly installed poultry dressing plant, the new slaughterhouse will also have a waste water treatment facility, and its very own ice plant.
Corpuz stressed how the new slaughterhouse will also be friendlier to the environment.
“Dahil meron tayong waste water treatment facility, pwede nating i-treat at linisin yung tubig na ginagamit sa slaughterhouse, bago natin ito pakawalan sa ilog,” he said.
Furthermore, the city government remains vigilant in monitoring meat shops and slaughterhouses. It can be recalled that last November 2019, Mayor Lazatin immediately ordered the closure of a reported illegal slaughterhouse in Barangay Lourdes Northwest.
Mayor Lazatin also urges the public to beware of “double-dead meat,” and to check the quality of fresh produce they buy in the market.
“Walang lugar sa ating siyudad ang mga taong lantarang nanloloko ng kanilang kapwa. Hindi natin palalagpasin ang mga ganitong illegal na gawain at gagawin natin ang lahat para matigil at maparusahan sila,” Lazatin said.
To reduce the suffering of those who are weak, unable to fight back, and are under one’s domination, just like animals, is the mark of a truly civilized society. With the new facility, the city government wants to fully eradicate cruelty to animals.
“Gaya natin, may buhay din sila. Gaya natin, may karapatan din sila. Alam naman natin ang mga nagiging problema sa slaughterhouses, kaya yun ang una nating iniiwasan. Kahit sa ganitong pamamaraan, mabigyan man lang sila ng maayos na pasilidad,” Lazatin said.
