ILOILO – The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) in Western Visayas is strengthening its meat inspection and regulatory enforcement campaign to protect consumers from unsafe and illegally sourced meat, as authorities push for stricter compliance among meat vendors and establishments across the region.
The intensified campaign comes as NMIS Region 6 reported confiscating only 134.83 kilograms of meat from January to September 2026, a relatively low volume that officials attributed to generally high compliance with meat safety regulations.
NMIS Region 6 officer-in-charge regional technical director Dr. April B. Chavez said the agency is reinforcing its inspection and monitoring initiatives while encouraging consumers to become active partners in preventing the sale of meat from unauthorized or questionable sources.
The campaign coincides with the 33rd Meat Safety Consciousness Week, observed from October 19 to 23, and the agency’s 54th founding anniversary.
Chavez emphasized that ensuring the safety and quality of meat reaching Filipino households requires sustained cooperation among government regulatory agencies, local government units (LGUs), industry stakeholders, meat establishment operators and consumers.
The NMIS official stressed that consumers themselves play a crucial role in safeguarding public health by verifying the legitimacy of meat products before purchasing them.
She advised buyers to check whether meat vendors possess the appropriate inspection documents certifying that their products have undergone the required inspection procedures.
For locally sourced meat, consumers should look for a meat inspection certificate, while imported meat should be accompanied by a certificate of meat inspection.
The agency’s latest confiscation figures suggest that most meat vendors and establishments are observing regulatory requirements, particularly the need to secure the necessary certifications from LGUs.
Chavez said the relatively small quantity of confiscated meat indicated that widespread violations had not been reported during the first nine months of the year.
Nevertheless, the agency is sustaining its campaign to strengthen consumer awareness, reinforce inspection procedures and promote compliance with meat safety standards.
Under the theme “One Nation, One Commitment: Safe, Clean, and Quality Meat for All,” NMIS-6 has organized a series of activities designed to bring its meat safety advocacy closer to communities and industry stakeholders.
The celebration opened on October 19 with a motorcade, Eucharistic Mass and recognition of stakeholders who have contributed to the agency’s meat safety initiatives.
A Meat Safety Advocacy Seminar was held in Iloilo City on October 20, followed by a free online webinar on October 21.
This October 22, the agency will conduct its Linis Bahay Katayan activity at the slaughterhouse in San Miguel, Iloilo, to promote cleanliness and proper sanitation in meat processing facilities.
The weeklong observance will culminate on October 23 with an enforcement activity, underscoring the agency’s continuing commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection./PN
