The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) will start the construction of the PhP32.99 million-worth AA slaughterhouse—the first PRDP-funded slaughterhouse in Bicol, after the groundbreaking ceremony held on December 17, 2021 in Barangay Agrupacion, Ragay, Camarines Sur.

DA-PRDP National Deputy Project Director Shandy Hubilla led the groundbreaking ceremony and laying of the time capsule, joined by National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Regional Technical Operation Center (RTOC) V Officer-In-Charge Regional Technical Director Dr. Rolando M. Marquez, Ragay Mayor Thaddeus Ramos, and PRDP-Bicol Deputy Project Director Adelina Losa.

The 2,000 square meter facility will feature a 160 square meter slaughterhouse building and a 60 square meter holding pen, as well as auxiliary equipment and tools for hog and large animal slaughtering.

The slaughterhouse subproject, which has an operational capacity of 11 to 58 heads per day for hogs, and one to eight heads per day for cattle, will adopt the standards set by the NMIS. It is also designed to facilitate ease in carcass traceability, and develop the efficiency of the swine and cattle value chains’ trading segment to boost raisers’ income and local revenue. In addition, it will address the lack of accredited slaughter facilities in nearby municipalities.

The I-BUILD subproject is projected to benefit a total of 50,800 population and 12,333 households, by increasing the market value of meat by at least 19.50% on average. It also targets to generate 71 new jobs for the construction of the AA slaughterhouse and new employment opportunities for nine personnel who will take charge of the facility’s operation. Moreover, it intends to deliver slaughterhouse services to 6,694 livestock raisers and 1,625 stakeholders such as meat vendors and hotel owners in the municipality.

Director Marquez said that the construction of post-harvest facilities like the AA slaughterhouse is a welcome development because it will provide support services.

“’Yung mga produce natin sa production ng hogs at saka ng livestock animals ay dito pwede nating dalhin para makapag-produce tayo ng safe and quality meat. So ito ‘yung assurance natin sa public na ‘yung lahat ng ating mga pino-produce ay safe at healthy kainin,” he added.

He also mentioned that because the subproject is compliant with NMIS standards, it will help safeguard the consumers’ health while increasing farmers’ production capacity of high quality meat. This complements the “One DA” Reform Agenda particularly on food safety and regulations. The said key strategy is focused on investing in facilities and activities to mitigate the effects of plant and animal diseases as well as in strengthening traceability systems, and unifying sanitary and phytosanitary control measures against plant and animal epidemics.

Teresita P. Bravo, Municipal Agriculturist and concurrently the Municipal Project Management and Implementation Unit (MPMIU) Head of Ragay, expressed her gratitude to the PRDP.

“Matagal na namin itong hinintay kaya tuwang-tuwa kami kasi unang-una ang concern namin ang health ng mga consumers, ng mga tao na meron na kaming malinis at maayos na slaughterhouse kasi ‘yung slaughterhouse naming ginagamit talagang hindi sya pasado. Kaya natutuwa kami na naging recipient kami nitong project na ito kasi kung sa LGU lang hindi talaga namin kaya, kaya malaking bagay sa amin ito,” Bravo said.

The said slaughterhouse subproject is targeted for completion on April 20, 2022. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS V/PRDP-Bicol InfoACE)

Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) National Deputy Project Director Shandy Hubilla, National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Regional Technical Operation Center (RTOC) V Officer-In-Charge Regional Technical Director Dr. Rolando M. Marquez, Ragay Mayor Thaddeus Ramos, and PRDP-Bicol Deputy Project Director Adelina Losa lead the groundbreaking ceremony and laying of the time capsule for the P3.29 million-worth Construction of AA slaughterhouse funded under the PRDP infrastructure development (I-BUILD) component on December 17, 2021 in Brgy. Agrupacion in Ragay, Camarines Sur.