Cebu, Mandaue to inspect slaughterhouse

CEBU, Philippines - To put an end to the controversy, the cities of Mandaue and Cebu have agreed to conduct a joint inspection next week of Cebu City’s slaughterhouse at the North Reclamation Area.

The move came after an exploratory conference between the two cities’ executives on the abattoir’s alleged lacks of regulatory, sanitary and environmental permits from Mandaue last Wednesday.

“We discussed the issue at hand (during the conference).  We came into an agreement that we will cooperate and solve the issues relating to our slaughterhouse—health, environmental, taxation issues — and the removal of footbridges (along Mahiga Creek). The soonest we solve them the better for the two local government units,” said City Attorney Gerone Castillo yesterday.

Castillo, City Administrator Lucelle Mercado, and City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas met with Mandaue City Legal Officer Giovanni Tianero, City Administrator James Abadia and City Treasurer Regal Oliva to weed out the different concerns.

Castillo said they will provide Mandaue a timeline on the rehabilitation of the facility and the submission of necessary regulatory requirements to “hasten everything and to beautify the slaughterhouse.”

As to the environmental concern, the Cebu City government assured Mandaue City that the slaughterhouse would no longer dispose untreated wastes into the nearby Mahiga Creek.

“Gi-assure namo ang Mandue nga it (creek) will be clean; it will not be a source of health and environmental issue because we will work on it faster. We are in agreement that we (Cebu City and Mandaue City) will be cooperating as local government units,” Castillo said.

“We are really appreciative of our counterparts from the City of Mandaue for gracing us and for open discussion on this heated issue. It was so cordial nga walay naglalis; (We were) assuring each other’s help and cooperation in addressing the present problem, as neighboring cities,” he added. (FREEMAN)