NMIS 7 Implements ‘Oplan Pasko na Naman’

The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) 7 has implemented “Oplan Pasko na Naman” which involves a series of inspections on public markets and malls in Central Visayas to ensure safe meat supplies during the Christmas season.

Dr. Alvin Leal, NMIS 7 information section head, said the Oplan Pasko na Naman 2016 was implemented starting Nov. 18 and will run up to Dec. 31.

Leal said they are regularly conducting meat inspections throughout the year, but they expect high demand of meat from consumers during the Christmas season.

“We would like to be visible for this moment because as we determine, and with the influx of the high demand of meat by the consumers, some businessmen may take advantage of the situation,” he said.

He advised consumers to always ask for meat inspection certificate, which is an assurance that the meat they are buying comes from a legitimate meat establishment and underwent proper meat inspections.

“The certification of a meat inspector is important,” he said.

Leal said they already set the schedule of inspections to different public markets, malls and supermarkets in metro Cebu.

The NMIS 7 Enforcement Division will be going around Metro Cebu to check if the rules and regulations are properly observed.

The public markets to be inspected include Carbon Public Market in Cebu City, Talisay Public Market, Mandaue Public Market and Lapu-Lapu Public Market as well as the supermarkets in these cities and in Consolacion town, and the malls in Carcar City, Minglanilla town and Cebu City.

Leal said there is no more slaughterhouse in Cebu City because this was closed about three months ago.

He said Cebu City businessmen engaged in meat trading used either the abattoirs in Talisay or Mandaue. (PNA)SCS/EB/SSC