BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City Government has created a Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked with evaluating and recommending the most viable long-term solution for the continued operation and modernization of the city slaughterhouse ahead of the expiration of its current joint venture agreement in 2028.
City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo said on Thursday, May 22, that Mayor Greg Gasataya recently signed Executive Order No. 028, Series of 2026, establishing the TWG to conduct a comprehensive review of all legal, financial, technical, operational, and policy options concerning the facility.
Mayo said the move is part of the city’s preparations for the eventual expiration of its Public-Private Partnership (PPP)/Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with AVM Bernardo Engineering, the current operator of the slaughterhouse in Barangay Handumanan.
The executive order underscores the need for an “early, comprehensive, and evidence-based review” to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of slaughterhouse services and prevent disruptions to the meat supply chain, public market operations, and the local livestock industry.
The TWG will also evaluate a proposed slaughterhouse project supported by the Department of Agriculture (DA), which may include funding assistance and technical support from the national government.
Councilor Homer Bais, chairperson of the City Council Committee on Slaughterhouse, was designated as chairperson of the TWG, while Mayo will serve as vice chairperson.
The body is composed of representatives from the City Planning Office, City Legal Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Veterinarian’s Office, City Agriculture Office, City Health Office, Budget Office, and other concerned departments.
Among the options to be studied are the renewal or restructuring of the existing JVA, the conduct of competitive bidding for a new PPP arrangement, the establishment of a city-owned slaughterhouse, or the construction of a new facility with support from the DA.
Mayo said the TWG will also review the existing contract with AVM Bernardo Engineering, including provisions on contract expiration, compliance with sanitation and operational standards, financial obligations, and the overall condition of the current facility.
The assessment will cover environmental compliance, wastewater treatment systems, operational efficiency, affordability, and the potential impact on meat vendors, livestock raisers, butchers, traders, and consumers.
The executive order further authorizes the TWG to coordinate with the DA, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), and other national government agencies for feasibility studies and project development activities.
The TWG is expected to conduct consultations with stakeholders and submit recommendations on the most advantageous, legally compliant, and sustainable option for Bacolod City’s slaughterhouse operations in the years ahead./PN
