The Asosasyon sg mga Trabador sg Slaughterhouse joined the celebration of the 59 th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights yesterday in Bacolod City to oppose the transfer of the Bacolod Slaughterhouse in Brgy. 35, Bacolod City .

While cause oriented groups slammed the CENECO-Kepco-Salcon Power Sales Contract during a rally at the Fountain of Justice yesterday (Ceneco story on page 9).

Glenda Arguelles, secretary of the Asosasyon sg mga Trabahador sang Salughterhouse, yesterday said they are asking for the retention and renovation of the existing slaughterhouse in Brgy. 35.

She said they will submit their position paper today, which was required by Councilor Alex Paglumotan during a public hearing in Brgy. 35.

Arguelles said they have invited Fr. Aniceto Buenafe of the Diocese of Bacolod to visit the slaughterhouse to see the actual situation of the facility and the workers. She said they are against the privatization of the slaughterhouse by AVM Bernardo which she believes will cause the displacement of hundreds of residents of Barangay 35 who are dependent on the slaughterhouse for their livelihood.

The Bacolod City government entered into a memorandum of agreement with AVM Bernardo Engineering for the completion and operation of the Bacolod City Slaughterhouse in Brgy. Handumanan on February 2007.

Arguelles said Buenafe also met with Councilor Celia Flor to inquire about their status. He was told by Flor that the Committee on Markets will discuss the matter and that there are documents pertaining to the slaughterhouse that were lost during the previous administration, she said.

Arguelles said they are thankful for the support of other organizations who understand that once the slaughterhouse is privatized, the rates being charged by the city will increase, as well as, the prices of meat products. This will also affect prices of other basic commodities, she said.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said that although the contract between the city and the contractor was signed only in February this year, the process has already started in 1999.

He said they are always open to new ideas regarding the operations of the slaughterhouse. “But if you're talking in terms of changing the contract I think that is going to be a very tedious process,” he said.

Leonardia said he believes the improvement of the slaughterhouse is long overdue. He earlier said they want to improve the slaughterhouse in order to have a more efficient and hygienic service.*CGS

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