AUDIT OBSERVATION MEMORANDUM NO. 4

AUDIT OBSERVATION MEMORANDUM NO. 4. The Municipal Engineer of Bulan, Sorsogon failed to strictly observe and conform to the policy, standard and guidelines in the establishment, construction, improvement, and operation of Bulan Slaughterhouse/Abattoir pursuant to Executive Order No. 137 series of 1993.

DISCUSSION:

Section 1 of Executive Order No. 137 series of 1993, states that – Construction, Improvement, Expansion and Operation of Slaughterhouse shall conform to applicable local and national policies, standards and guidelines. To prevent wastage in terms of time and valuable logistics and to maintain a uniform, high standard of sanitation in the operation and maintenance of slaughterhouses, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and the LGU’s concerned shall perform the following:

(a) The city or municipality:

1. shall, by ordinance, establish and operate a public slaughterhouse. In the construction, improvement, and expansion of such establishment, the city or municipality shall conform to applicable local and national policies, standards, and guidelines. For this purpose, the concerned local government unit may seek the assistance of the NMIS and other government agencies.

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(b) The NMIS shall:

1. formulate national policies, guidelines, rules and regulations governing the establishment and operations of slaughterhouses; and

2. exercise technical supervision over the establishment and operations of slaughterhouses with authority to recommend sanctions and closure to local chief executives for those that do not comply or meet the requirements and standards set thereof.

For monitoring and evaluation, the NMIS, in coordination with the LGU concerned, shall monitor, conduct field inspection, and require those involved in slaughterhouse operation to submit periodic and special reports to the NMIS.

Our audit disclosed that the municipal engineer failed to seek assistance to strictly observe, follow and conform to the policies, standards and guidelines in the establishment, improvement, expansion and operation of slaughterhouse/municipal abattoir pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order No. 137 series of 1993. The Municipal engineer was provided by the Regional Technical Director of NMIS with the floor plan of standard municipal abattoir. The Municipal Engineer had prepared the slaughterhouse plan but did not submit any copy of the proposed plan to the NMIS. Moreover, the Municipal Engineer was informed that a 5000 sq. m. Area for the slaughterhouse would be suitable. However, the said slaughterhouse was constructed in a small lot with an area of 500 sq. m. under TCT No. 64061, identified as Lot No. 1043-1-3-B, PSD-05-038643 located at Zone 7, Bulan, Sorsogon. Evaluation team from the NMIS conducted the site evaluation and revealed the following deficiencies, to wit:

1. The project site was so irregular and the area is so small. One tenth (1/10) of suitable site (500 sq. m. over 5000 sq. m.).

2. Waste water facility is so small.

3. Animal lairage cannot accommodate the number of animals for daily slaughter.

4. Dispatch area is too narrow.

5. Revised floor plan that the set up was disorganized.

6. For not consulting the NMIS, the vertical beams were too low that cannot accommodate the standard height for equipment installation.

Likewise, on August 19, 2008 the same evaluation team conducted inspection on the acquired stainless scalding vat without unloading cradle, a number of stainless table, hog trolley, gambrels and installation of overhead rail that will result the carcass touching the floor. These equipments are not complete to suffice the normal operation for an abattoir.

A letter was sent to the NMIS dated August 6, 2008 addressed to the Regional Director requesting to furnish us a copy of the inspection report conducted by that office on August 19, 2008 in reply to our request said inspection report was issued on September 12, 2008 and received by this end on September 16, 2008 as our ready reference to anchor our findings and observation.

COA’S RECOMMENDATION:

Require the Municipal Engineer to re-organize the floor arrangement re-setting the beams and columns for the abattoir in proper perspective, if possible to expropriate the lot fronting the dispatch area. Coordinate with the City Engineering Department of Legaspi City if the waste water that they constructed at the public market is applicable in abattoir of LGU Bulan, Sorsogon.

LGU’S COMMENT:

The Local Government of Bulan, through the Office of the Municipal Engineer and other parties concerned, shall implement the recommendations put forward by the Commission. One concern that may not be addressed sooner is the lot area. The 800 sq. m. land was the only available at the time. Acquisition of the adjoining areas would entail large amount and a lengthy period of negotiations.

The LGU, nevertheless, will pursue all angles to comply with recommendations provided for in this particular AOM.