Abandoned meat to be destroyed
According to MICP Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD) chief Gerry Macatangay, 147 of the containers were consigned to Jcore Enterprises, Lucky Sisters and Lean Pasture, and arrived between January to June 2015.
Macatangay said: “The containers are pending disposal through destruction or condemnation until we get approval from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and International Container Terminal Services Incorporation (ICTSI) to waive the wharfage and storage fees, respectively.”
The meat is currently being stored in vans and the Philippines Department of Agriculture states no confiscated consignment can be auctioned, redeemed, donated or sold by any government bureau or agency.
“The shipments are contained in refrigerated vans. Normally, shelf-life for frozen meat is six months up to a year,” added Macatangay. “Regardless, ICTSI will unplug the vans once the shipment has been approved for condemnation to start the disposal process. So, we assure the general public that there is no way any abandoned meat can be resold for consumption.”
