The City Government of Davao is ready to open Davao City’s most modern Halal and Non-Halal slaughterhouses in Malagos once the Slaughterhouse Management Board (SMB) approves their operation.
In an interview with the City Information Office Friday, Slaughterhouse Master IV Engineer Joseph Gabut said the full operation of the two slaughterhouses is ready.
“Ready na po ang manpower natin yung mga butchers, yung mga utility men, meat cutters, admin personnel, security etc. Ang approval lang po ang inaantay natin, afterwards we are ready to go (Our manpower is ready, our butchers, our utility men, meat cutters, administrative personnel, security, etc. We are only waiting for the approval (of the operation) and once it is given, we are ready to go),” he said.
Gabut said that the SMB, composed of the City Veterinarian’s Office, City Administrator, Bankerohan Livestock Multipurpose Cooperative, City Health, and other members, is set to inspect next week the logistics, manpower, and other facilities to determine if these are ready for operation. The resolution for the full operation of the two slaughterhouses will be released before the end of the month.
The construction of the two slaughterhouses started in 2020. The Non-Halal Slaughterhouse is complete, while the Halal Slaughterhouse is near completion as they are still in the process of graveling the surrounding areas, painting, installing the screen in the entranceways of insects, completing the wastewater treatment pond, and installing the perimeter fence.
Gabut said that the full operation of the two slaughterhouses will be to the advantage of the poultry and livestock raisers near the area. The Halal Slaughterhouse will also provide an additional market for vendors.
“Yung Halal ang kinakatay natin diyan ay ang goats, carabao, and cattle so yung mga taga Callinan, Mintal and Toril Public market, it will be an add-on sa client nila kasi once na Halal ang product mo pati Muslim i-patronize yan (For the Halal, we only use that to slaughter goats, carabao and cattle. So it is an add-on for their clients who are in Calinan, Mintal and Toril Public Market and once you have a Halal product the Muslims can also patronize that),” he said, adding that it will pave way for the availability of authentic Halal meat for the Muslim communities in Davao City.
Gabut added that for the Non-Halal Slaughterhouse, add-on facilities such as cold storage, blast freezing, and a meat processing plant will be to the advantage of clients because these will help them easily process and preserve food for a wider market reach.
“Magiging one- stop-shop siya sa karne ng baboy from livestock, magiging carcass, and pwede kang mag proceed sa blast chiller and maka-supply ka sa supermarket, sa mga grocery, sa mga meat shops. Then pwede mong i-cut into choice cuts, for example porkchop or adobo cuts pwede pong ma-process diyan (It will become a one-stop-shop because the pork meat from livestock to carcass proceed immediately to the blast chiller and supply to supermarkets, grocery, and meat shops. You can also opt to cut it into choice cuts such as pork chop or adobo cuts),” he said.
He added that there is also meat processing with meat grinders that can cater to the commercial size output, unlike homemade meat. A cold storage facility, which is almost finished, is also attached to the slaughterhouses. Because of these features, Gabut said the clients can market their products outside Davao City and throughout the Philippines.
“These slaughterhouses will be categorized as double A (“AA”). Ma-widen mo ang target market mo, client mo so pwede ka mag-expand ng business (These slaughterhouses will be categorized as double A (“AA”). You can widen your target market, your client and you can expand your business),” he said.
Based on the Local Government Tax Code, the approved slaughter fees effective January 1, 2022, until December 31, 2022, are: Php 609.65 per head for cow; Php 378.11 per head for pigs; and, Php 176.56 per head for goat. On the other hand, the rates for cold storage, blast chilling, and meat cutting are in the process of approval by the Local Tax Committee.
Gabut said the two slaughterhouses are the most modern, state-of-the-art slaughterhouses in Mindanao or maybe throughout the Philippines once these will operate. It will guarantee the safety consumption and also the proper hygiene, sanitation, and good manufacturing practices, including hazard analysis critical control points which are requirements of the National Meat Inspection Services.
“I am enjoining the public to come and visit the Malagos Slaughterhouse. We accommodate walk-ins,” he said.
Gabut urged the public to patronize and visit the Halal and Non-halal slaughterhouses as soon as it opens in Purok 3-A, Barangay Malagos, Davao City. CIO
