ILOILO — The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) has intensified its surveillance of meat vendors and markets across Western Visayas amid recurring violations related to improper meat display practices — prompting renewed warnings to vendors and reminders to consumers to verify inspection certificates to avoid unsafe products.
Dr. Rogelio Noble Jr., supervising meat control officer of the NMIS Regional Technical Operations Center, said the agency’s inspections continue to uncover improper lighting and packaging practices in several markets, including the use of yellow incandescent bulbs and red plastic wraps to artificially enhance the color of meat.
“Kasi sa Consumer Act of the Philippines pinagbabawal din po yan at sa Department Order of Agriculture kasi nag-e-enhance ang ilaw (ng meat appearance). Dapat natural ang nakikita natin. I encourage talaga white ang illumination,” Noble stressed.
Strict inspections in slaughterhouses and markets
Noble emphasized that the agency’s work begins at accredited Double A slaughterhouses — the only classification currently available in Region 6 — and continues across dressing plants and cold storage facilities.
“Ang Double A, ibig sabihin ang distribution ng karne ay within the Philippines lang,” he explained.
Animals undergo both antemortem and post-mortem inspections to ensure they are healthy and safe for consumption.
“Dito pa lang (slaughterhouses), sinasala na natin ang live animals if pwede katayin,” he said. “At yung pangalawa ay mag-under sila ng post-mortem, so dito naman, patay na yung sapat (animal) chini-check naman natin yung organs kung may mga abnormalities, contamination or meron mga spoilage.”
Monitoring in supermarkets and wet markets
Once meat enters the market, NMIS enforces “post-meat establishment controls.” These involve twice-monthly surveillance of both supermarkets and public markets. Inspections this year covered Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique, including major establishments such as SM Delgado, Robinsons Mall, CityMall Pavia, Festive Walk Mall, Jaro Big Market, and Iloilo Terminal Market.
Despite frequent monitoring, most violations remain minor — though the agency warns that improper lighting and the absence of required certificates can mislead consumers about freshness.
“In case merong may nag-violate, binibigyan namin ng ‘notice of final warning’,” Noble said.
He recalled a past case where a whole pig was confiscated because it did not come from a legitimate slaughterhouse and had no meat inspection certificate.
Consumers urged to check certificates
Noble reminded the public to always check for a Meat Inspection Certificate (MIC) for local meat or a Certificate of Meat Inspection (COMI) for imported products.
“Dapat aware din ang ating mamimili… para matingan niya if ito ba ay galing sa legal na katayan,” he said, noting that illegal slaughter remains a persistent threat. “Minsan may karne tayo na hindi bago, kundi kinatay lang kung saan saan.”
Preventing foodborne illnesses
The regional meat inspection officer underscored the critical role of NMIS in preventing disease outbreaks linked to contaminated or unsafe meat.
“Tayo po ay nag co-conduct ng strict surveillance dito sa ating market dahil gusto nating ma-prevent ang foodborne illnesses… very critical, ito po yung final line of defense,” Noble emphasized.
Strengthening LGU partnerships amid limited manpower
With only around five meat inspectors in the region, NMIS relies heavily on LGU collaboration. Local meat inspectors deployed in city and municipal slaughterhouses work under LGU jurisdiction, while NMIS focuses on accredited Double A facilities and market surveillance.
“Mga 5 lang ata [kami dito]. Nagkakaroon po kami ng defined program kung saan nagko-collaborate sa LGUs to do meat inspection,” Noble said.
The agency also conducts meat safety seminars across Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, and Antique, including recent sessions in Dumangas, Leon, Oton, Pototan, Sta. Barbara, Kalibo, and Tibiao.
“Ang LGUs nagre-request sa amin na mag-conduct ng seminar sa kanilang mga lugar,” he added./PN
