Iloilo City tightens livestock transport, slaughter rules

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City government has tightened regulations on the transport and slaughter of food animals, requiring stricter documentation and mandating that all livestock intended for slaughter be processed within 24 hours of arriving at the city slaughterhouse.

Mayor Raisa Treñas signed Memorandum Order No. 234 on July 1, adopting updated guidelines governing the movement, acceptance, and slaughter of hogs, cattle, and carabao within the city’s jurisdiction.

The order, issued upon the recommendation of the Office of the City Veterinarian, aims to protect public health, strengthen biosecurity, and ensure strict compliance with regulatory standards.

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Under the directive, all food animals intended for slaughter must be transported directly from their farms of origin to the Iloilo City Slaughterhouse and slaughtered within 24 hours of arriving at the facility.

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City officials said the measure is intended to improve animal traceability, reduce biosecurity risks, and ensure that meat entering the market complies with food safety regulations.

The memorandum also standardizes documentary requirements based on the type of livestock and shipment route.

READ: Iloilo City warns vs ‘tulingan’ amid food poisoning cases

A Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) is mandatory for all livestock shipments. Issued by a licensed local government veterinarian for regional shipments, the certificate certifies the animals’ health status and identifies their farm of origin. The original document must accompany the shipment throughout transport.

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Intermunicipal shipments must also carry an Animal Health Clearance (AHC) and a Local Travel Permit issued by the Municipal Agricultural Officer.

Livestock transported across provincial boundaries must secure a Bureau of Animal Industry-Veterinary Quarantine Service (BAI-VQS) shipping permit through the agency’s online application system.

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For cattle and carabao, transporters must also present a Philippine National Police clearance to ship or transport large animals in compliance with anti-cattle rustling laws.

All livestock shipments, regardless of destination, must also obtain a disinfection clearance from the point of origin or designated border or port inspection areas to help prevent the spread of animal diseases during transport.

The memorandum includes a document matrix summarizing the required permits for hogs, cattle, and carabao, whether shipments are intermunicipal, regional, or interprovincial.

According to the city government, failure to comply with the mandatory 24-hour slaughter period or present the required original documents may result in administrative hold orders, quarantine, or other regulatory sanctions under existing local ordinances and national meat inspection laws.

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The updated guidelines took effect immediately upon issuance and apply to livestock and meat inspection officers, livestock shippers, slaughterhouse personnel, and other concerned stakeholders. /mcm