1 Republic of the Philippines

2 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
3 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
4 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
5 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
6 www.nmis.gov.ph
7 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
8
1 DRAFT
2 MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
3 No.
4 Series of 2021

5 TO : ALL CONCERNED
6 FROM : THE OIC, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
7 SUBJECT : RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE REGISTRATION
8 AND OPERATION OF MEAT TRANSPORT VEHICLE (MTV), AND
9 HYGIENIC HANDLING DURING LOADING, UNLOADING, AND
10
11 TRANSPORT OF MEAT

12 WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 10611 (2013), otherwise known as the “Food Safety Act of
13 2013," was enacted to strengthen the food and safety regulatory system in the country, to
14 protect consumers' health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products;

15 WHEREAS, in Section 2 of RA 9296, otherwise known as "The Meat Inspection Code of the
16 Philippines”, as amended by RA 10536, the State declared the policy to promulgate specific
17 policies and procedures governing the flow of food animals, meat and meat-by-products
18 through the various stages of marketing and the proper preservation and inspection of such
19 products.

20 WHEREAS, Section 7 par. (b) of the same code provides that the Accreditation &
21 Registration Division (ARD) shall be responsible for the accreditation of meat establishment,
22 rendering facilities , meat transport vehicles, meat establishment contractors, fabricators and
23 suppliers and third party service providers and registration and certification.

24 NOW THEREFORE, this Circular is hereby issued to provide rules and regulations in the
25 operation and registration of Meat Transport Vehicles, as follows:

26 I. SCOPE AND COVERAGE

27 This Circular shall apply to all meat transport vehicle used by owners, operators, meat
28 dealers and service providers outsourced shippers that are transporting meat.

29 II. DEFINITION OF TERMS

30 The following definition of terms shall apply for purposes of these Rules;

9
10 Republic of the Philippines
11 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
12 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
13 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
14 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
15 www.nmis.gov.ph
16 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
17
31 Applicant - any person, partnership, firm, cooperative, corporation, association, or any
32 government agency/instrumentality desiring to engage in the establishment, operation and
33 maintenance of shipping / transporting meat and meat by-products.
34 Chilled Meat- Meat with product temperature maintained at 4 ᵒ C. Chilled meat is held at
35 this temperatures during cutting, processing, handling, transport, storage, distribution and
36 retail sale.
37
38 Contamination - any biological or chemical agent, foreign matter, or other substance not
39 intentionally added to food which may compromise food safety or suitability.
40 Control Measure - refers to any action and activity used to prevent or eliminate food safety
41 hazard or to reduce it to an acceptable level.
42 Frozen Meat- Meat with product temperature maintained at -18 ᵒ C. Frozen meat is held at
43 this temperatures during cutting, processing, handling, transport, storage, distribution and
44 retail sale.
45
46 Food safety - assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared
47 and/or eaten according to its intended use.
48 Good Hygienic Practice — refers to all practices regarding the conditions and measures
49 necessary to ensure the safety and suitability of food at all stages of the food chain.
50 Helper/Pahinante — a person authorized to hygienically carry, handle meat during loading,
51 unloading and transport in accordance with the requirements of this Memorandum Circular
52 Meat- refers to the fresh, chilled or frozen edible carcass including edible offal/by product
53 derived from food animals.

54 Meat Hygiene — all conditions and measures necessary to ensure the safety and suitability
55 of meat at all stages of the food chain.

56 Meat Transport Vehicle (MTV) — Motor vehicle or cargo vehicle, such as but not limited to;
57 delivery van, panel truck, reefer van, chiller van, use to carry, transport or deliver meat.
58 Newly Slaughtered Meat- refers to carcass and parts thereof obtained from newly
59 slaughtered food animals that has not yet undergone any preserving process including
60 chilling, freezing and quick freezing.
61 NMIS Licensed Meat Establishment — premises such as slaughterhouse, poultry dressing
62 plant, cold storage warehouse and other meat outlets that are approved and registered by
63 the NMIS in which food animals or meat products are slaughtered, prepared, processed,
64 handled, packed or stored.
65 Meat Transport Vehicle Sticker — proof of registry of MTV authorized by NMIS to
66 transport meat.
67 Registered Meat Transport Vehicle (MTV)- MTV officially listed in NMIS/LGU authorized
68 to carry meat for transport

18
 19 Republic of the Philippines
20 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
21 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
22 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
23 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
24 www.nmis.gov.ph
25 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
26
69 Traceability - the ability to track meat and meat by products intended for human consumption
70 through all stages of production and distribution.
71

72 IV. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR REGISTRATION

73 1. Any person, partnership, firm, cooperative, corporation, association, or any government

74 agency/instrumentality desiring to engage in the operation and maintenance of
75 shipping / transporting meat shall register their MTV in the National Meat Inspection
76 Service prior to shipping/transporting of said commodities.

77 2. The applicant shall file for registration or annual renewal in such form and manner as
78 may be prescribed from time to time.

79 3. Only application for registration with complete and valid documentary requirements
80 provided in Section 5 hereof shall be accepted and processed at the respective NMIS
81 Regional Technical Operation Center (RTOCs).

82 4. The meat transport vehicle shall solely and exclusively be used to transport meat

83 5. The Certificate of Registration (See Annex A for the template) and sticker (See Annex
84 B for the template) shall, unless sooner cancelled or revoked, remain valid for one (1)
85 year from the date of its issuance and is nontransferable to other vehicles.

86 6. In cases of change of ownership of the Meat Transport Vehicle (MTV) its Certificate of
87 Registration (COR) shall be deemed void ipso facto and shall be dealt with as new
88 applicant for MTV registration.

89 V. STANDARD AND REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTRATION

90 5.1 General Requirements

91 1. Processing of the application for registration of Meat Transport Vehicle (MTV) shall
92 be at the NMIS Regional Technical Operation Centers where the NMIS licensed
93 meat establishment whose meat and meat products it seeks to transport, is located.
94 All forms and list of requirements can be secured at the said office for free, or can be
95 downloaded at the NMIS website.
96 The following shall be complete and valid upon submission to NMIS RTOC:
97 1.1 A filled out application form, signed and endorsed by Accreditation & Registration
98 Section Head for new applicant, and the assigned NMIS Plant Officer (PO) for
99 renewal;
100 1.2 Result of the MTV-Inspection Criteria Checklist (MTV ICC) accomplished by the
101 assigned NMIS PO or ARS Head;

102 2. Documentary Requirements

27
 28 Republic of the Philippines
29 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
30 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
31 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
32 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
33 www.nmis.gov.ph
34 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
35
103 2.1 Photocopy of Mayor’s/Business Permit as trucking, distributor/SEC registration
104 Certificate;
105 2.2 Updated photocopy of proof of ownership/ legal possession of vehicle (Notarized
106 contract of lease or deed of sale, as may be applicable);
107 2.3 Photocopy of certificate of registration and updated official receipt of Vehicle
108 from the Land Transportation Office indicating the MTV plate nos.;
109 2.4 A Certificate of Completion (for the last 12 months) of the owner/manager, driver,
110 porter (to NMIS sponsored orientation-seminar on good hygienic practices on
111 meat/food handling conducted by ARS and/or MSDCPS focal person);
112 2.5 Valid health certificate/s of the porter and driver issued by a government
113 physician within month/s prior to submission of application;
114 2.6 Updated calibration certificate of the MTV temperature gauge. A minimum of
115 one (1) calibrated thermometer shall serve as a reference unit for operators
116 and/or owners with multiple MTV.
117 2.7 Endorsement from the authorized personnel of licensed meat establishment
118 whose meat and meat by-products are sought to be transported for trade and
119 distribution.
120 2.8 Clear colored photos of the meat transport vehicle with a dimension of 7x5 cm
121 (front, left & right side view and back view-open door);
122
123 5.2 PROCEDURES OF APPLICATION FOR NEW AND RENEWAL

124 1. The NMIS RTOC will notify the applicant for the schedule of the mandatory
125 orientation and issuance of certificate on good hygienic practice on handling of meat
126 and meat byproducts for meat van owners, drivers and helper.
127 2. For new applicant, the RTOC shall verify the completeness and validity of the
128 submitted application and supporting requirements;
129 3. Renewal of the application of the MTV registration, shall be verified by the assigned
130 NMIS plant officer to the licensed meat establishment;

131 NOTE: Incomplete documentary requirements and MTV that did not meet the
132 minimum required rating shall not be endorsed for the issuance of MTV COR.

133 4. Payment of the corresponding fees to the NMIS collecting officer shall be made upon
134 endorsement of the NMIS PO assigned to the ME or ARS Focal.
135 5. The NMIS RTOC shall issue the MTV-COR with corresponding lifetime identification
136 number, and MTV sticker.
137 6. The applicant/owner shall comply with the prescribed markings (eg. registration nos.)
138 on the body of the MTV as required by the NMIS Central Office as part of traceability
139 system (Annex C)
140 7. The issued MTV Sticker shall be displayed noticeably at the upper passenger side of
141 the windshield.

142 5.3 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF MTV BASED ON PRODUCT TEMPERATURE AND

143 OR PRODUCT FORMAT

144 An MTV for registration shall be so designed and equipped with the appropriate and
145 adequate refrigeration cooling system necessary for frozen, chilled meat to keep and
146 preserve their freshness.

36
 37 Republic of the Philippines
38 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
39 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
40 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
41 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
42 www.nmis.gov.ph
43 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
44
147 1. Frozen meat shall be transported only in reefer van that is able to maintain the required
148 product temperature.
149 2. Chilled meat shall be transported in a chiller or reefer van that is able to maintain the
150 required product temperature.
151 3. Newly slaughtered meat shall be handled and transported as prescribed by Section 5
152 (Meat Transport to Meat Markets) in DA AO 5 series of 2012.
153
154 5.4 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF MEAT TRANSPORT VEHICLE (MTV) ON HYGIENE
155 AND SANITATION
156 The following shall be the minimum standards and sanitary requirements for the transport of
157 meat.

158 1. The floors, walls and ceilings of MTV shall be made from impervious materials
159 and kept in clean and sanitary condition;
160 2. MTV used must be enclosed or so covered that the products are kept from any
161 contamination.
162 3. Meat shall not be loaded in any means of transport used for live animals.
163 Similarly, this shall not be loaded in MTV which has not been cleaned and
164 disinfected.
165 4. Except when frozen and adequately wrapped, carcasses, quarters or sides shall
166 be hung on overhead rails during transport or placed in suitable racks or similar
167 devices;
168 5. The compartment and door shall be dust proof and water -tight.
169 6. For meat carcass in whole, half or quartered, it shall be provided with rails and
170 shelves to prevent direct contact from the floor.
171 7. Plastic curtains sufficiently overlapped installed on doors to prevent entry of pest
172 and control the temperature of the meat transport vehicle.
173 8. Provided with shattered proof lighting, where applicable.
174 9. Provision of by-product handling equipment and containers such as but not
175 limited to hooks, shelves, racks and receptacles with closed lids/cover.

176 10. Installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) unit may be considered by
177 operator.

178 5.5 HYGIENIC HANDLING DURING LOADING, UNLOADING, TRANSPORT OF MEAT

179
180 The following shall be the minimum sanitary requirements for handling meat:

181 1. Examine the vehicle and vans before loading. Meat transportation vehicles
182 accessories, and equipment shall be kept clean and free from dirt, debris, and any
183 other substance or odor that may contaminate the products. It shall be disinfected as
184 needed. Cleaning and sanitation procedures and monitoring records shall be kept at
185 all times subject to verification.
186 2. Cargo pallets, crates, load securing devices, loading equipment such as but not
187 limited to hooks, shelves, racks, receptacles with tight fitting lids shall be kept clean
188 and free of potential food contamination and regularly washed and sanitize.
45
 46 Republic of the Philippines
47 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
48 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
49 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
50 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
51 www.nmis.gov.ph
52 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
53
189 3. Equipment used in transferring meat such as hand trucks, conveyors , forklifts ,
190 pushcart and any other similar device shall be well maintained and kept in sanitary
191 condition.
192 4. Driver and Helpers/Pahinante shall strictly observe personal hygiene before handling
193 the meat and shall wear an appropriate and clean personal protective equipment
194 (PPEs).
195 5. No person shall be allowed to stay in the compartment of the MTV where meat is
196 kept at any time.
197 6. The following, and such similar cleaning agents and disinfecting chemicals are
198 recommended to be used in cleaning and disinfecting meat transport vans:
199
Cleaning Agents Disinfecting Chemicals

a. Sodium bicarbonate a. Quaternary ammonium compounds (no

aldehyde) ( 50ppm)
b. Sodium carbonate ( soda ash)
b. Aqueous solutions of iodine ( 50 ppm)
c. Trisodium phosphate
c. Sodium or calcium hypochlorite * ( 50ppm)
d. Soap
d. Chloramine T* ( 50 ppm)
e. Synthetic detergents (wetting
agents)
200 Source: Sanitation Code of the Philippines
201
202 7. The engine of the meat transport van must be turned off before and during the meat
203 loading and unloading process, and all doors and lids shall be securely closed before
204 the engine is started.
205 8. Before refueling, the doors or lids of the meat transport vehicle should be securely
206 closed whether or not it is loaded.
207 9. Organs such as liver, heart, brains, lungs, kidneys clean tripe shall be transported in
208 receptacles with tight fitting lid, which are water tight and easily cleaned and
209 disinfected.
210 10. Intestines, tripe or other parts of an animal which may contaminate other meat or
211 may have offensive odor shall be transported in receptacles which are watertight and
212 easily cleaned and disinfected and close-fitting lids.
213 11. MTV shall be pre-cooled to the desired cooling temperature before loading. For pre-
214 cooling, doors shall be closed and the temperature setting of the unit shall be in
215 accordance with the temperature requirement of the product.
216 12. All these shall be subject to validation, continuing monitoring and inspection by NMIS
217 authorized personnel.
218
219 VI. REPLACEMENT OF MTV CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AND/OR MTV STICKER

220 1. MTV Operator/applicant shall submit request letter indicating the reason and shall be
221 supported by proof of evidence which shall not be limited to photos and certifications
222 for the replacement of MTV-COR or MTV Sticker, and shall attached properly filled
223 out application form.
224

54
 55 Republic of the Philippines
56 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
57 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
58 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
59 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
60 www.nmis.gov.ph
61 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
62
225 VII. FEES AND CHARGES

226 The following fees and charges shall be collected in exchange of the services rendered
227 in processing of MTV Certificate and sticker.

228 Application fee (New/Renewal) - Php 500.00

229 Processing Fee - Php 200.00

230

231 Replacement Fee of MTV Sticker - Php 500.00

232
233 * application /replacement fee + processing fee

234 Fees and charges are subject to changes upon issuance of the new regulations.
235
236
237 VIII. REVOCATION/CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE OF MTV REGISTRATION
238
239 1. GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION AND CANCELLATION OF MTV-COR
240
241 The following shall be grounds for revocation/cancellation of issued MTV-COR
242 1.1. Transporting meat coming from meat establishment without valid or expired NMIS
243 License to Operate.
244 1.2. During routine surveillance by Enforcement Officer and or Meat Inspection Officer,
245 the MTV were used in such a manner not in accordance with these rules and
246 regulations.
247 1.3. The MTV is found transporting other products (eg. non-food items, and other non-
248 meat agri-products) other than meat.
249 1.4. Failure to take adequate corrective measures for deficiencies identified in
250 accordance with the requirements of the NMIS.
251
252 Note: Inclusion of monitoring matrix to be provided to MTV Operators/Owners as part of
253 good handling practices; custodian of the monitoring records will be the MEs
254
255 2. PROCEDURE FOR THE REVOCATION/CANCELLATION OF MTV REGISTRATION;

256 The Executive Director shall have the authority to revoke the MTV accreditation after prior
257 notice and conduct clarificatory conference.
258
259 A. ISSUANCE OF NOTICE OF CLARIFICATORY CONFERENCE TO CONCERNED
260 MTV OPERATOR/PERSONNEL
261
262 The NMIS RTOC shall issue Notice of Clarificatory Conference to concerned MTV
263 Operator/Personnel. It shall include the following information:

63
 64 Republic of the Philippines
65 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
66 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
67 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
68 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
69 www.nmis.gov.ph
70 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
71
264 1. Name of the Respondent owner or operator of MTV
265 2. The notice shall particularly and distinctly indicate the violations committed by the
266 owner or operator of MTV under the law and the rules, in such a manner as for the
267 respondent to adequately answer or respond to each of them. Documentary
268 evidence/s shall be attached to the notice, if any.
269 3. The date, time and venue where clarificatory conference will take place, which shall
270 not be more than 5 days from apprehension, or issuance of notice of violation/s to
271 the respondent.
272 4. The signature of the Regional Technical Director.
273 5. Order to submit his/her written explanation under oath attaching therein his
274 evidences, and a warning that failure to attend or submit his/her said written
275 explanation shall be deemed as a waiver of his/her right to be heard or due process
276 and will not deter the continuation of the investigation against him without his
277 participation.
278
279 The Office of the Executive Director (OED) and the Legal Affairs Unit shall be furnished
280 a clear copy of the Notice of the Clarificatory conference as well as its attachments in
281 pdf form through email on the day of its issuance.
282
283 B. CONDUCT OF FACT-FINDING INVESTIGATION

284 1. The Regional Technical Director (RTD) shall create a fact finding/adjudication
285 committee who shall take note and record the attendance of the respondent and/or
286 his/her counsel.
287 2. During the investigation, the fact finding/adjudication committee shall receive the
288 written explanation of the Respondent and all the evidences offered in support
289 thereof.
290 3. The RTD may conduct clarifications on the written explanation and evidences
291 submitted by the Respondent.

292 C. REPORT AND REFERRAL

293 1. Upon conclusion of the fact-finding investigation, the RTD shall issue a report on the
294 case and shall refer the same to NMIS LAD/LAU for further proceedings in
295 accordance with Uniform Rules of Procedure of the NMIS within five (5) days thereof.
296 Failure to refer the case within the said period, the same shall be deemed
297 automatically referred to the LAD.

298 D. ENFORCEMENT AND ISSUANCE OF SUSPENSION AND OR REVOCATION

299 LETTER FOR MTV

300 1. The Suspension and/or Revocation Order shall become final and executory within
301 five (5) days from receipt thereof by the Respondent.
302 2. The RTD concerned shall, without delay, implement or enforce the order by causing
303 the confiscation of the stickers and/or erase the signpost/mark of its NMIS
304 registration number painted on the side body of the van.
72
 73 Republic of the Philippines
74 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
75 NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE
76 No.4 Visayas Avenue, Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City
77 Trunk line: (02) 8-924-7980; Telefax: (02) 8-924-7973
78 www.nmis.gov.ph
79 e-mail: nmis@nmis.gov.ph
80
305 3. Suspension or Revocation Order shall be personally served to the concerned Meat
306 Transport Vehicle (MTV) operators and or owners. If the operators and/or owners are
307 not available, then it shall be served upon their representatives, like the operations
308 manager or in-charge of the operation of the MTVs. In any case, should they refuse
309 to receive the Order, the server shall leave a copy to the operator, owner, or
310 representative, and shall write on both service copy and receiving copy the phrase:
311 "REFUSED TO RECEIVED" and indicate below it the time and date of service.
312
313 IX. RE-APPLICATION AFTER REVOCATION

314 No applicant whose registration was revoked may apply within six (6) months after the
315 revocation of the certification of registration. This is to provide a sufficient time to comply
316 with the standards and requirements set forth by NMIS.

317 X. REPEALLING CLAUSE

318 All provision of existing Memorandum Orders, Circulars, Implementing Rules and
319 Regulations and other issuances that are inconsistent with this Circular are hereby modified,
320 revoked or repealed accordingly.

321 XI. EFFECTIVITY

322 This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in an official gazette or
323 newspaper of general circulation.

324 APPROVED:

325 JOCELYN A. SALVADOR , DVM, MPM

326

81