QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 137)
Executive Order No. 137 is anchored on Section 17 and other relevant provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), pursuant also to the President’s authority to issue implementing rules and regulations based on RA 7160 and related national laws such as RA 7394 (Consumers Act).
The city/municipality must, by ordinance, establish and operate a public slaughterhouse, may grant a franchise for private slaughterhouse operations, may sell/lease/otherwise dispose of its slaughterhouse, and may authorize private slaughterhouses (for public use or as part of meat processing complexes).
The province must ensure compliance of component LGU slaughterhouse operations with national/provincial policies and standards; provide technical supervision and possible financial assistance; and review relevant ordinances of cities/municipalities on slaughterhouses and the imposition of taxes/fees/charges.
The NMIC must formulate national policies, guidelines, rules and regulations on slaughterhouse establishment and operations, and exercise technical supervision with authority to recommend sanctions and closure to local chief executives for non-compliance.
AAA: suitable for sale in any market (domestic/international). AA: suitable for sale in any market domestic/international, with facilities adequate for wider distribution and with conditions such as regular distribution outside the province/independent city. A: minimum adequacy; meat suitable only for distribution and sale within the city/municipality where located.
Meat and meat products from slaughtered livestock/fowls are subject to veterinary inspection/examination before distribution and sale. The inspection responsibilities are allocated among NMIC, the provincial government (through the provincial veterinarian), and the city/municipality—depending on class of slaughterhouse and where distribution occurs.
The NMIC must certify fitness for human consumption of meat intended for export and for distribution outside the province/independent city, and it provides laboratory support. It also exercises technical supervision over local meat inspectors in AAA and in AA under conditions specified in EO No. 137.
The provincial government regulates meat flow within provincial jurisdiction, exercises technical supervision over meat inspection work and Class AA slaughterhouse operations in component cities/municipalities when there is regular meat distribution outside the local area but within the province, and certifies fitness for human consumption in cases described therein.
The city/municipality directly supervises Class A slaughterhouse operation and, for Class AA, when distribution is limited within the locality only. It must conduct meat inspection in all classes of slaughterhouses and certify fitness for distribution within the locality only.
Only vehicles accredited by the city veterinarian may be used to deliver meat within the city; by the municipal veterinarian (or provincial veterinarian if none) for within the municipality; by the provincial veterinarian for transport between localities within the province; and by the NMIC for destinations outside the province.
The meat must come from livestock/fowl dressed in an accredited slaughterhouse and must have undergone ante and post mortem inspection. It must be certified and marked “INSPECTED” and “PASSED” for food by the controlling authority.
Post-abattoir control refers to operations to check and regulate meat after slaughter but before/while reaching consumers. It is exercised by the concerned LGU/NGA, and LGUs may form a task force (organized and headed by a higher LGU) to combat illegal slaughtering and meat distribution.
Any additional post-mortem inspection/examination, when deemed necessary, must be conducted by the appropriate authority—either the city, provincial, or NMIC veterinarian depending on the applicable situation/jurisdiction.
The city or municipality is responsible for licensing and registration of these persons/entities.
The NMIC, together with the LGU concerned, controls the movement of meat and meat products from priority reportable disease endemic areas to free zones. Meat/products from such areas are not allowed to enter free zones to support the Livestock Priority Diseases Eradication Program and commitments to international animal health programs.
LGUs may impose fees and charges related to meat inspection through an appropriate ordinance consistent with the Local Government Code rules. For Class AAA, 25% of veterinary inspection fees (ante and post mortem) collected by the city/municipality must be shared and remitted by the treasurer to the NMIC quarterly (not beyond five days after quarter end). For Class AA, the same accrues to whoever directly supervises the inspection service as specified in Section 3.
No person may be employed in livestock and meat inspection without undergoing NMIC training and accreditation. Also, no person may work inside a slaughterhouse without proper training and license.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.