Abattoir fails to meet permit deadline anew

CEBU, Philippines - Up until now, the Cebu City-owned slaughterhouse near Mahiga Creek at the North Reclamation Area continues to operate without business permit.

This was revealed by Mandaue City treasurer Regal Oliva.

The area where the slaughterhouse sits is part of Mandaue City's jurisdiction.

According to Oliva, the deadline for the renewal of business permits in the city was last January 20, but no representative from the Cebu City government reportedly came over to Mandaue City Hall to secure the business permit.

"Hangtod karon, wa gihapon sila'y gilihok. I don't know, maybe the officials concerned are inefficient or maybe they're just busy with a lot of problems," Oliva said.

Oliva said he is contemplating on recommending to the City Legal Office to stop the operation of the said slaughterhouse next month if it still fails to secure the document.

extended

Mandaue City is giving an extension of 10 days for all businesses which have failed to secure or renew their permits by the given deadline.

"Nagpalugit man ta'g 10 more days sa tanang establishments sa city. We will still accommodate you (referring to the slaughterhouse), but you have to pay 25 percent surcharges and the penalty," Oliva said.

He said there will be no more extension after as the city has given the other LGU "enough time" to secure the necessary permits to continue with the abattoir's operations.

The Mandaue City Treasurer's Office first gave Cebu City government until November 30 last year to process the requisites and extended the deadline to December after it failed to comply with the requirements.

"Their operation of the slaughterhouse is doing proprietary business. They can be closed already after this month," Oliva stressed.

Oliva earlier learned that the slaughterhouse was operating without a permit after Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes formed a task force to inspect establishments near the Mahiga Creek at the height of Cebu City's demolitions of foot bridges and other illegal structures along the waterway.

compiling docs

In a separate interview, Cebu City treasurer Diwa Cuevas said they are still in the process of compiling all the documents needed for the issuance of business permit.

Because Cebu City itself has been also preoccupied with the processing and renewal of business permits, Cuevas said they were not able to meet Mandaue City's deadline.

She added they will try to work on the slaughterhouse's permit this Monday.

Aside from the lack of business permit to operate, Oliva said the Cebu City government also owes business taxes to Mandaue City. — with Mechelle P. Florita (FREEMAN)