Ligao City inaugurates hydroelectric powered Class "AA" Slaughterhouse

In celebration of its 13th Cityhood Anniversary, Ligao City inaugurated the Class "AA" Slaughterhouse and Mini-Hydro on March 24, 2014 at Tinago, Ligao City.

The Class "AA" Slaughterhouse and the Mini-Hydro was envisioned by former Ligao City Mayor Linda Gonzalez during her administration, in partnership with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Budget Management (DBM), with the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The two facilities were built using the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) when the Local Government Unit (LGU) of the Ligao City was awarded with DILG's Seal of Good Housekeeping in 2012.

According to former Mayor Linda Gonzalez, NMIS Executive Director Dr. Minda S. Manantan visited the slaughterhouse more than a year ago to make sure that the machines and other internal components were already installed. "While we were building the structure, sila [NMIS] ang partner natin for providing us with all the instruments and machines and other requirements to operate 'AA' slaughterhouse," said former Mayor Linda Gonzalez. She also added that Dr. Manantan was delighted to see that the LGU is complying with Republic Act No. 9296 (Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines) in which the proper and safe handling of meat and meat products is observed.

Using renewable energy to operate the slaughterhouse

Former Mayor Linda Gonzalez was also grateful to witness the realization of her envisioned renewable energy as source for operating machines in the slaughterhouse. The plan was originally to use methane as the alternative energy produced from the waste products of pigs. However, upon computation, they found out that there will not be enough waste products to produce methane.

Former Ligao City Mayor Linda Gonzalez

explained the challenges encountered by the

LGU in establishing the Class "AA" 

slaughterhouse

Fortunately, Mayor Linda Gonzalez was able find another way to make renewable energy feasible. "It was very providential that I had a chance to be able to talk to a resource person on hydroelectric energy," said Mayor Linda Gonzalez. Hydroelectric energy is another alternative renewable energy, produced from flowing water, that can operate machines in the slaughterhouse with high power requirement. The thorough research led to the conceptualization and establishment of the Mini-Hydro.

The water supply for the hydroelectric power plant will come from the irrigation systems at Barangay Herrera. However, according to Mayor Linda Gonzalez, upon consultation from experts, the water supply will not be able to generate the 100 % energy target but enough to meet the energy requirements of the slaughterhouse.

The process for pursuing a renewable energy as major energy source for operating the slaughterhouse took a long way. Several plans were rejected and altered in order to successfully reach the goal.

"It cost a lot but in the long run this will be already providing the electricity without having to pay ALECO. We will be running this facility with [an energy] source coming from a natural source not with any bills every month," said Mayor Linda Gonzalez.

Another envisioned goal of Mayor Linda Gonzalez is the installment of refrigerated storage to maintain the quality of meat. She also envisions the establishment of the Meat Processing Center which will provide additional income and revenues for the City. This, according to her, can be one of the projects that LGU, under Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua's leadership, can focus on in the coming years.

Maintaining a high class slaughterhouse

NMIS OIC-Regional 

Director Dr. Mateo Puatu

The butchers who will operate the machines in the slaughterhouse underwent 12 trainings in Sorsogon. However, according to Mayor Linda Gonzalez, they still need to undergo the national training to become qualified butchers in operating a Class "AA" slaughterhouse. Four meat inspectors will also manage the slaughterhouse to make sure that the facility is complying with the standards of the NMIS.

NMIS OIC-Regional Director Dr. Mateo Puatu said that with accreditation of the slaughterhouse as Class "AA", the "meat and meat products of this establishment can be transported and transacted nationwide." The NMIS was also responsible for the accreditation of the slaughterhouse by providing technical package and financial support for the establishment of the facility.

Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez said

that the establishment of the class "AA" 

slaughterhouse is an effort to expand the 

service catering more localities outside

Ligao City.

DILG-Albay Provincial Director Danton M. Vibar also stressed that with the aggressiveness of Ligao City, it will surely grab the Seal of Good Housekeeping again. He also said that being a Hall of Famer, garnering awards, means a higher budget allocation which will open opportunities for Ligao City for more projects.

Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez who also gave support in the successful establishment and accreditation of the Class "AA" slaughterhouse said that the replacement of the old slaughterhouse is not an indication of low quality meat products but an effort to expand the service, making the the high-quality meat and meat products available nationwide. The expansion will also help the local meat business establishments as the service will be open not only in Ligao City but also in the neighboring towns and cities, even in Metro Manila, according to Congressman Gonzalez.





Written by Lala Peñafiel