Taguigenos warned vs ‘bocha,’ contaminated meat during holidays

Vendors told: Source products from accredited slaughterhouses, distributors

The local government of Taguig has issued a reminder to all meat vendors in the city to obtain meat only from government-accredited slaughterhouses and distributors, or face penalties that accompany the sale of contaminated products and double-dead meat, or what is commonly known as “bocha.”

 Mayor Lani Cayetano said the prevalence of these “hot meat” becomes much more apparent and common during the holidays when there are feasts and celebrations almost everywhere.

 “The demand for meat products these coming days will be greater than usual, like the staple ham for our Noche Buena and New Year feasts. And when there is a demand, there are always people who will take advantage of the situation and will try to earn a few extra pesos at the expense of our health by selling bocha or hot meat,” she explained.

 “We ask our citizens to be vigilant and report any case of contaminated meat products being sold within the city. We should not compromise our health in order to save money.”

 The local chief executive said those who may wish to report may go to city hall and look for the Veterinary Office or alternatively, approach their respective barangay leaders.

 Last November 23, the City Veterinary Office gathered barangay captains and meat vendors in SM Aura at BGC to attend an orientation on food safety.

 Entitled “Orientation on Meat Inspection Service,” it was attended by 23 barangay leaders and 170 meat vendors who were all briefed on how to handle meat products, among other topics.

 The orientation also reminded meat vendors in Taguig to acquire and sell inspected hog meats only and warned against procuring meat that did not go through inspection.

 Dr. Alexis Siblag, Taguig City Veterinary Office head, said meat vendors should source their products only from accredited slaughterhouses, where meat is carefully inspected and made to pass the standards of cleanliness.

 The veterinary office also gave tips to these vendors on how to keep meat products fresh and safe if not sold within the day.

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FILIPINO VERSION:

Taguigueños binalaan kontra bocha at mga  kontaminadong karne ngayong panahon ng kapaskuhan

Mga magkakarne pinaalalahanang kumuha ng supply sa mga lehitimong katayan at supplier

PINAALALAHANAN ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Taguig ang lahat ng nagtitinda ng karne sa lungsod na tanging sa government-accredited slaughterhouses at distributors lamang  kumuha ng kanilang paninda kasabay ng babala na mahaharap sa kaukulang kaparusahan ang sinumang magbebenta ng mga kontaminado at double-dead meat, na mas kilala sa tawag na “bocha.”

 Ayon kay Mayor Lani Cayetano, ang pagbebenta ng “hot meat” ay mas nagiging laganap sa mga panahong sunud-sunod ang mga okasyon at handaan tulad sa panahong ito.

 “Ang pangangailangan po sa iba’t-ibang meat product ay tataas sa mga paparating na araw tulad ng hamon na pangkaraniwang inihahain tuwing  Noche Buena at Medya Noche. At kung mataas ang pangangailangan, mayroong mga magsasamantala para kumita at hindi na alintana kahit makasasama ito sa kalusugan,” sabi pa ni Mayor Lani.

 “Kaya naman nanawagan po tayo sa lahat na maging mapagmatyag at ipagbigay-alam agad sa atin ang anumang insidente ng pagbebenta ng kontaminadong karne sa ating lungsod. Hindi po natin dapat isakripisyo ang ating kalusugan para lamang makatipid,” dagdag ni Mayor Lani.

 Ani Mayor Lani, sa mga nagnanais na mag-report o magbigay ng impormasyon hinggil sa bentahan ng “bocha” ay maaaring makipag-ugnayan agad sa City Veterinary Office o barangay leaders na nakasasakop sa kanilang lugar.

 Nitong Nobyembre 23, pinulong ng City Veterinary Office ang mga barangay captain at meat vendors ng lungsod para sa isang orientation seminar hinggil sa food safety na idinaos sa SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City.

 Ang “Orientation on Meat Inspection Service” na ito ay dinaluhan ng 23 barangay leaders at 170 meat vendors kung saan itinuro sa kanila ang food safety o ang tama at ligtas na paraan ng meat product handling at iba pa.

 Pinayuhan din ng City Veterinary Office ang mga magkakarne tungkol sa tamang paraan ng pagtatabi ng mga panindang hindi nabili sa maghapong pagtitinda.

 Mahigpit din ang bilin ng pamahalaang lokal sa meat vendors ng Taguig na dapat ay tiyaking sumailalim sa kaukulang inspeksyon ang kanilang itinitinda at binalaan hinggil sa pagbalewala sa patakaran.

 Paliwanag ni Dr. Alexis Siblag, ang head ng Taguig City Veterinary Office, dapat lamang na mula sa accredited slaughterhouses manggagaling ang  itinitindang karne kung saan sinusunod ang pamantayan sa kalinisan at  isinasailalim  sa nararapat na inspeksyon ang mga kinatay na hayop bago ibenta sa mga palengke at pamilihan. ###