New PHP60M slaughterhouse opens in ASF-hit Oton
The province of Iloilo is set to benefit from safer and higher-quality meat products with the opening of a PHP59.9 million “Double A” slaughterhouse in Oton – the first town in the province to record a case of African Swine Fever (ASF). Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the official turnover
By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The province of Iloilo is set to benefit from safer and higher-quality meat products with the opening of a PHP59.9 million “Double A” slaughterhouse in Oton – the first town in the province to record a case of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the official turnover of the facility to the Oton municipal government on Monday, July 21, at Sitio So-oc, Barangay Lambuyao.
“I look forward to enjoying the quality meat products from this facility,” Defensor said.
He added that the slaughterhouse is expected to boost the local economy, particularly in Barangay Lambuyao, by supporting small businesses and improving food safety standards.
A Double A abattoir meets specific criteria for hygiene, slaughtering procedures, and infrastructure, making it suitable for supplying safe and quality meat to both local and regional markets.
Defensor emphasized that the facility will play a key role in the recovery of Iloilo’s swine industry, which was severely affected by ASF.
Swine production in the province is showing signs of recovery, with an 11.42% increase in output recorded from January 2024 to March 2025.
The slaughterhouse can process up to 16 heads of swine per hour and 12 heads of cattle per day.
It will serve not only Oton’s 37 barangays but also nearby towns such as Alimodian, Tigbauan, San Miguel, Pavia, and even Iloilo City.
The slaughterhouse complex features a 352-square-meter main facility, a 232-meter perimeter fence, a 163-square-meter holding pen, and a 62.5-square-meter boiler room.
Additional infrastructure includes a drying area, weighing scale shed, elevated water tank, septic vault, drainage and wastewater systems, rainwater harvester, concrete driveway, and a deep well.
The PHP59.9 million project was funded by multiple sources – PHP39 million from the World Bank, PHP17 million from the Iloilo provincial government, and PHP5 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
This is the first abattoir project funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project, a flagship DA initiative aimed at increasing farm and fishery productivity.
Similar slaughterhouse projects are underway in Concepcion, Santa Barbara, Passi City, Lambunao, and Carles.
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