Albert R.T. Lim Jr., president of the Negros Occidental Hog Raisers Association, yesterday welcomed the move of the Bacolod City Government to finally utilize its slaughterhouse in Brgy. Handumanan.

"That is good for the consuming public (because) we're being left behind," he said.

Lim, who is also president of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc., told the DAILY STAR that, with a new slaughterhouse, Bacolod will be able to ensure clean meat for the public since the facility will be supervised by the National Meat Inspection Service. He said the city's existing abattoir in Brgy. 35, which he described as unsanitary, wouldn't even pass as an "A" facility.

Last Wednesday, the Bacolod City government signed a P54-million agreement with contractor AVM Bernardo Engineering for the 20-year lease of the city slaughterhouse in Brgy. Handumanan.

AVM Bernardo will operate the "AA" facility on a Rehabilitate-Operate-Transfer scheme.

The city is projected earn P3.13 million in regulatory fees in the first year of operation of the new slaughterhouse, aside from the rental payment .

The Sangguniang Panlungsod ratified the agreement last Thursday and AVM Bernardo will start the rehabilitation work six months after receiving the notice to proceed, but Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he has asked the contractor to start earlier.*NLG

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