Legazpi City – The city government of Legazpi has been authorized to operate its Local Meat Inspection Services (LMIS) independently, following a successful evaluation and validation by the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) in Manila. This development, effective from November, marks a significant change in the management of the city's Double AA slaughterhouse.

According to Philippines News Agency, the LMIS of Legazpi City will now manage the slaughterhouse without NMIS supervision. Prior to this authorization, NMIS had a plant manager overseeing the city abattoir's operations, with the agency receiving a 25 percent revenue share annually. However, with the establishment of the LMIS, this arrangement will cease, allowing the city government to retain full revenue and exercise complete control over the slaughterhouse operations.

The decision to create the LMIS aligns with the implementation of the Mandanas Ruling, enabling local government units to have more autonomy. Estipona noted that the slaughterhouse is an important income-generating agency for the city, processing an average of 100 to 130 animals daily. This operation currently generates over PHP17 million annually in slaughtering service fees, with an expectation of increased revenue to PHP20 million a year.

Estipona revealed plans for constructing a new slaughterhouse building on a 6,000-square meter lot owned by the city in Barangay Taysan. This development is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted service and maintaining a steady supply of meat products in the market. The project, awaiting a PHP77-million grant from the World Bank, will be managed under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The new facility is expected to include advanced features like cold storage and a cutting plant, enhancing the quality and safety of the meat processing operations.