JVR urged to look into outsourced meat sold in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Danilo F. Caballero, who is the chairman of the committee on market and abattoir, is urging Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to strictly implement the city's meat task force to make sure that no spoiled meat and meat from hogs or cattle slaughtered outside of the abattoir is sold.

The City Council passed an ordinance establishing the Talisay City Slaughterhouse in Barangay Biasong by virtue of 2nd SP ordinance number 2005-17.

Caballero said the states shall protect the consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products and shall maintain a farm to fork food safety regulatory system that ensures a high level of food safety.

"There is a need to convene the Oversight Committee and Technical Working Committee that are provided thereto as subcommittees of Talisay City Meat Task Force to further strengthen the implementation of city laws pertaining to abattoir," Caballero said in his resolution. 

Caballero said the ordinance was institutionalized in order to uphold the policy of the city slaughterhouse and the interest of its constituents from hazardous meat products and trade malpractices

Without the task force, Caballero believed that "double dead" and "hot" meat would now be everywhere.

Talisay City Veterinarian, Dr. Santiago Hortel said all meat being sold is checked.

Meat that does not bear the mark of the abattoir will be seized, he said.

Another task force visits satellite markets in Barangays Dumlog, Pooc, and San Roque and three supermarkets in Lawaan I, Tabunok, and Sitio Laray in San Roque at the Cebu South Coastal Road.

Santiago also said five vendors selling imported meat passed all the requirements.

One requirement is to have a freezer.

Imported meat is not allowed to be displayed in the open.  (FREEMAN)