LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – To equip the participants of the knowledge and skills in meat inspection in conformance to the standard, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII in partnership with the National Meat Inspection Service-Regional Technical Operation Center 13 conducted the 20-day Basin Meat Inspection Course on September 5-30, 2022 ATI-RTC XIII.

This training is designed for local government unit meat inspectors, meat control officers, and other personnel performing meat inspection work in upgrading their skills in meat inspection for safe human consumption.

This is joined by 20 individuals from Butuan City; Buenavista and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte; Tandag City, Cortes, Bislig, and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur; San Francisco, Bunawan, Loreto, and Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; and Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

The training is divided into two phases. The first involves the lectures from the resource speakers done both face-to-face and online. Participants were able to familiarize and inspect different meat establishments such as cold storage and meat cutting plant during the second phase. They also conducted actual meat inspection ante mortem and post mortem at De Oro AJJEC Inc. slaughterhouse and Cabadbaran City slaughterhouse. Other enforcement activities were done in Butuan City.

Moreover, hands-on activity in the anatomy of different animals was performed including pregnancy diagnosis through rectal palpation at the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in Maramag, Bukidnon.  

During his closing message, Dr. Victor D. Zamoranos, Action Officer of NMIS-RTOC 13, emphasized the significance of safe meat for consumption and the role of meat inspectors in ensuring the safety of the consumers.

“I earnestly hope that what we learned, gained, and have understood through this training will be significantly put into practice as we perform our duties as potential meat inspectors,” said Dr. Jenny Mae V. Hernando from the City Veterinary Office of Butuan City.