Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said he will forward the memorandum of agreement entered into by the city with AVM Bernardo for the construction and rehabilitation of the slaughterhouse in Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City to the City Legal Office for review, comment and recommendation.

He said he will visit the area today with the media to see and assess the actual situation there.

Based on the MOA signed by the city and AVM Bernardo in February 2007, the contractor will complete the construction, rehabilitation and installation of equipment in the facility within 10 months, but not to exceed 12 months from receipt of the notice to proceed.

“We have to weigh all these things in relation to our pressing need for the facility,” Leonardia said, adding that they will see if there are violations and if these are manageable, or really serious and beyond repair.

Asked if the city will rescind the contract if there are violations committed by the contractor, Leonardia said the possibility is always there.

He said they have also to consider that the facility was constructed in 1999 by then Bacolod Rep. John Orola. However, the administrations that came after failed to made it operational, he said. It was only during his term that they were able to have the MOA signed, he added.

Leonardia said they might have concerns considering the time frame, that is why they are assessing things together with Councilor Alex Paglumotan and City Legal Officer Allan Zamora. This is because they want to deliver sanitary and hygienic slaughtering service to the people of Bacolod , he added.

The project will be operated as a double-A slaughterhouse by the contractor who shall turn over its operation to the city after 20 years.

“We feel the old slaughterhouse is outmoded and we believe it is not in step with the call of the times, that is why we need a new one, Leonardia said.

Regarding the existing slaughterhouse in Brgy. 35, Paglumotan said that, based on the contract, poultry and the dressing of chicken is not allowed.

He and Councilor Celia Flor are planning to find ways and means to solve the problem of the workers of Brgy. 35 who will be displaced by the transfer of the slaughterhouse, he said.

Paglumotan said an engineer of AVM told him that they will be hiring and training people but there is no guarantee as to how many will be hired in the new slaughterhouse. He also said the complainants cannot all be accommodated there. They also have to respect the contract between the city and AVM Bernardo, he added.

Meanwhile, Candoni Mayor Cicero Borromeo said he will be available for Leonardia in the next election. He will also be a bigger headache than Paglumotan to Leonardia's political opponents, he said.

Borromeo said he wants to help in the solution of the problem of the city like the garbage problem, if the Mayor invites him to help. With his experience in America , it will not be hard to solve, he said.

“Despite the attacks, Bing can still manage to laugh,” he said.*CGS

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