BACOLOD City – A public hearing was conducted in this city on October 21 to discuss the proposed “Poultry Dressing and Processing Plant Compliance Ordinance of Bacolod City”, which seeks to legalize and regulate the operation of poultry dressing and processing plants in the city.
The proposed ordinance, authored by Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. and approved on first reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, aims to ensure that all poultry dressing and processing plants comply with local, national, and environmental regulations, and to impose penalties for non-compliance.
The hearing was attended by several groups currently operating poultry dressing and processing plants without permits, along with representatives from concerned agencies such as the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and other stakeholders.
The city councilor said the ordinance would allow the establishment and operation of poultry dressing and processing plants outside the AVM Bernardo Slaughterhouse in Barangay Handumanan, provided that strict regulatory standards are followed.
He explained that for nearly 17 years, poultry dressing and processing businesses in the city have been operating without proper permits because the AVM Bernardo Slaughterhouse does not have a poultry dressing facility.
According to Gamboa, several poultry operators sought assistance from his office after their businesses were affected by the absence of permits. In one previous instance, a plant was ordered closed, resulting in the loss of nearly 70 jobs.
“If the operation of poultry dressing plants is legalized, it will not only generate employment and additional income for the city but also address public health and sanitation issues,” he said.
The proposed ordinance also sets clear environmental and safety guidelines, including the prohibition of operations without registration, improper waste disposal that contaminates waterways, and the use of banned antibiotics and growth enhancers as determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It also restricts the establishment of poultry facilities within one kilometer of schools, hospitals, and residential areas.
Violators will face escalating penalties ranging from P20,000 to P100,000, along with possible clean-up orders, relocation, permanent closure, or legal action.
Gamboa added that the measure was crafted in response to numerous complaints from residents about foul odor, environmental pollution, poor food handling, and potential zoonotic diseases linked to unregulated poultry operations.
He emphasized that the proposed ordinance aligns with existing regulations and standards set by the DENR, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), and FDA to ensure public safety and environmental protection./PN
