By John Noel E. Herrera
The construction of a ‘double A’ slaughterhouse in Sitio So-oc, Barangay Lambuyao in Oton, Iloilo will boost the livestock industry and help combat the ongoing spread of African Swine Fever in the province, according to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.
During the groundbreaking ceremony on Feb 1, 2023, Defensor said the abattoir is “very fundamental” in creating a value chain for pork products as the ASF situation taught the province the need to produce more pork products to ensure the sustainability of the swine industry.
“Isa sa mga nadiskubrehan naton sa ASF experience is that we are one of the biggest producers of swine and pork in the country, pero kulang ang aton nga gina-process nga pork into something else, dapat ang baboy gina-process naton sa iban pa nga produkto nga mabaligya naton kay kung may proseso, may dugang nga trabaho kag negosyo,” Defensor said.
“This abattoir is not only a project of Oton, this is a partner sang bilog nga probinsya, pati sang syudad and we will develop this nga asta makalab-ot na siya sa triple A because we need it,” he added.
The P52 million-project will be funded through a P38.52 million loan from the World Bank and additional funds from the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) under its I-BUILD component. It aims to put in place a strategic and resilient rural infrastructure along the value chain.
Defensor also approved another P8.758 million as the province’s counterpart for the construction of the slaughterhouse that would also ensure the safety and quality of the meat industry in the province.
Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) head Engr. Romeo Andig said the project also covers the construction of a holding pen, boiler room, drying area, weighing scale shed, elevated water tank, septic vault, drainage system, wastewater facilities, rainwater harvester, and concrete pavement, among others.
Andig added that once the facility is completed, it could process 16 heads per hour for swine, 12 heads per day for cattle, and could provide services to the 37 barangays in Oton, as well as the other neighboring municipalities of Tigbuan, San Miguel, Alimodian, and Pavia.
“This will give an opportunity to livestock raisers and traders to sell quality and safe meat to business establishments and institutions,” Andig added.
Oton Mayor Sofronio Fusin Jr. said the construction of the facility would help them, especially the hog raisers, recover from the economic setbacks brought about by the ASF, as Oton was the first town to be affected by the said hog disease.
He assured the public that the project would be compliant with environmental standards for an abattoir facility and would not affect the surroundings and people near the area, since the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) has already reviewed the project’s environmental safeguard plan and would be monitoring its construction and operation.
