Virac, Catanduanes – “Ito po ang pinakaunang slaughterhouse na pinondohan ng PRDP sa buong isla ng Catanduanes. Sinimulan po natin ang proyektong ito Pebrero noong nakaraang taon. At ngayon, makalipas ang humigi’t kumulang isang taon ay pormal na po natin itong itu-turn over sa Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Virac.”

This was highlighted by Rodel P. Tornilla, DA RFO 5 Regional Executive Director and Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Bicol Project Director, during the Inauguration and Turnover Ceremony of Virac Double-A Slaughterhouse to the Local Government Unit of Virac, Catanduanes on March 11, 2025. The P43.9 million-worth facility was constructed at Brgy. Bigaa.

Once the requirements for the issuance of license to operate as a double-A NMIS slaughterhouse are complied, the slaughterhouse will be ready to begin operations. This will bring significant benefits to a wide range of stakeholders, including 1,277 livestock and hog raisers, 42 registered meat shop owners, 152 resort and guesthouse operators, food service providers, and 16,502 households.

Engr. Teodoro C. Eleda, PRDP Bicol Deputy Project Director, emphasized that the objective of the slaughterhouse is to ensure the people of Virac, and the entire province have access to safe and clean meat, to generate employment opportunities for the local community, and to create a sustainable source of income through the operations of the slaughterhouse. He added that the PRDP will monitor the sustainability of the project according to the LGUs’ Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan.

According to Dr. Alex B. Templonuevo, Regional Director of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) 5, one of the key objectives of NMIS is to improve meat safety and hygiene for the consuming public. This is achieved by ensuring that the slaughterhouse facility follow strict hygiene standards, improving the quality and safety of meat products.

Engr. Allan A. Tatiera, PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon I-BUILD Component Head, delivered the message of Fidel L. Libao, PRDP PSO South Luzon Project Director. According to Libao, the slaughterhouse will provide livestock farmers with proper facilities and sufficient equipment to produce high-quality meat. 

“Mahalaga ang proyektong ito sa pagtitiyak ng seguridad at kaligtasan ng pagkain sa ating probinsya. Sa pamamagitan ng wastong pagproseso ng ating karne, masisiguro natin na ang ating mga produkto ay pumapasa sa mga pamantayan ng kalidad at kaligtasan,” he added.

In his acceptance message, Mayor Samuel V. Laynes said that through a centralized facility with an effective waste management system the community will no longer need to buy meat that carries the risks of improper slaughter or slaughter by unauthorized individuals. The funds for the slaughterhouse facility come from the DA-PRDP additional financing 2, the government of the Philippines, and the 10% equity from the LGU Virac as a counterpart for the subproject.

“Ang magsasaka at livestock raisers ay magkakaroon na ngayon ng tiyak at sustainable na mercado para sa kanilang mga produkto”, he added.

The slaughterhouse will provide slaughter services to approximately 1,723 swine per month, totaling an average of 20,680 heads per year. Additionally, it will accommodate around 224 large ruminants per month or 2,694 heads annually.

Also present during the inauguration were Dr. Mary Grace D.P. Rodriguez, OIC Regional Technical Director for Operations and PRDP Bicol Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit Head; NMIS Bicol Meat Inspector III and Infrastructure Focal Person Antonio Suarez; Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) 5 staff; Engr. Cipriano Almojuela, Jr., MPMIU Head; Jimma Tadoy, Municipal Agriculturist; Jose Taraya, Municipal Administrator; Members of Sangguniang Bayan ng Virac; and livestock farmers. ### (Shaira Enimedez, PRDP Bicol InfoAce)

DA RFO 5 Regional Executive Director and Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Bicol Project Director, Rodel P. Tornilla, handed over the Certificate of Turnover to Mayor Samuel V. Laynes during the Inauguration and Turnover Ceremony of the Virac Double-A Slaughterhouse in Catanduanes.

DA RFO 5 Regional Executive Director and Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Bicol Project Director, Rodel P. Tornilla, leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the newly constructed Virac Double-A Slaughterhouse.