Clarificatory Guidelines for the Implementation of Executive Order No. 137

June 8, 1994

DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 94-94

 

The primordial concern for the promulgation of Presidential Executive Order No. 137, s. 1993 is to strengthen and harmonize various issuances on slaughterhouse operations and meat inspection and at the same time create a favorable climate of investment to encourage the meat and poultry industry to put up world class meat processing plants. Implementation of E.O. 137, however, hit a snag at the field implementing level primarily due to the imposition by some local government units of re-entry or reinspection fees on meat and poultry products already processed and inspected by the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC).

It is not farfetched to assume that the imposition of additional fees on meat and poultry products may adversely restrain the flow of the said products, may cause price increases of basic commodities, and may open opportunities for graft and corruption.

There is, therefore, a compelling need to issue the following clarificatory guidelines for the effective and proper implementation of EO 137.

(a) All livestock and fowls slaughtered for food and their meat products processed in Class "AAA" slaughterhouses which are intended for export, or for distribution outside of a province or a highly urbanized or independent component city (HUC/ICC), shall be subject to ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection and certified "INSPECTED" and "PASSED" by the NMIC.

(b) When the meat and poultry products are delivered by NMIC-accredited transport vehicles outside of a province or of an HUC/ICC, NO FURTHER INSPECTION OR RE-INSPECTION shall be required by the local government unit where the said products are delivered for distribution and sale; provided, however, that such products are delivered before the expiry date as indicated in the Certificate of Inspection issued by the NMIC. cd

(c) All livestock and fowls slaughtered for food and their meat products processed in Class "AA" slaughterhouses which are intended for distribution within a province shall be subject to ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection by the Provincial Veterinarian concerned.

(d) When the meat and poultry products inspected by the Provincial Veterinarian are delivered by vehicles accredited by the said official within the province, NO FURTHER INSPECTION OR RE-INSPECTION shall be required by component cities and municipalities within the province; provided, however, that such products are delivered before the expiry date as indicated in the Certificate of Inspection issued by the Provincial Veterinarian concerned.

(e) The LGU concerned, thru a revenue ordinance duly enacted by its sanggunian, may impose ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection fees as well as delivery, stockyard and slaughterhouse fees, EXCEPT re-inspection fees, checkpoint fees and other similar fees and charges which would restrain the flow of livestock and livestock products specifically meat and poultry products processed in Class "AAA" slaughterhouses and inspected by the NMIC as well as those processed in Class "AA" slaughterhouses and inspected by the provincial/city veterinarian concerned.

All DILG Regional Directors are hereby directed to see to it that this Memorandum Circular is immediately and properly disseminated to provinces, cities and municipalities within their respective jurisdictions and to monitor local government compliance thereto.

Please be guided accordingly.

 

RAFAEL M. ALUNAN IIISecretary