A public exchange between a former and current official of the Cebu City Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) has exposed the continued use of a retired officer’s name on official confiscation documents, raising questions over administrative compliance in meat inspection operations.
Former DVMF head Dr. Alice Utlang, who stepped down in December 2025, took to social media on June 3 to call out two meat inspectors, identified as Jakosalem and Silacay, after a confiscation certificate was issued bearing her name and signature.
“Why on earth did you use the confiscation certificate bearing my name when, in fact, I retired last December 2025?” Utlang wrote in a Facebook post addressed to the two inspectors.
Utlang said she had earlier attempted to raise the matter privately but received no response.
“I already sent a private message to the two heads, no reply,” she said in a comment.
She stressed that five months had already passed since her retirement and insisted that her name should no longer appear on any official documents issued by the DVMF.
Utlang also questioned the basis of the confiscation, raising concerns over the details indicated in the certificate, which she said cited a “Valentino” as part of the grounds for seizure.
“Tan-awa gud sad what did you put on the cause of the confiscation, Valentino? Imno-on, Valentino,” she wrote.
In response, incumbent DVMF Officer-in-Charge Dr. Jessica Maribojoc acknowledged the lapse but said the issue should have been addressed through internal channels rather than public posting.
“We understand your frustration that your name is still on the issues, but since it’s already posted and you didn’t wait for my reply through your PM, I’ll just inform you that on January 3, 2026, the recall bearing your name will be announced in all official documents of DVMF,” Maribojoc said.
Maribojoc said the inspectors involved did not act with bad intent and clarified that corrective measures were already being undertaken.
She explained that the confiscation certificate containing Utlang’s name had been deleted due to errors, while the related social media post documenting the operation remained online for public awareness.
“Ang purpose gi-delete ang certificate kay naay mali og dili na dapat nakabutang ang name unya sa official document/s. But ang post as a whole wala gi-takedown kay this is to create awareness sa mga nag-business og karne og sa mga consumers,” she said.
Maribojoc added that documentation errors should be resolved through proper administrative processes.
“Naa lang jud mga kauban namo na wala ni comply. Any errors or discrepancies identified will be addressed through the proper administrative process, not in a personal FB post,” she said.
Confiscation certificates are considered key legal documents in enforcement actions against vendors selling uninspected or improperly handled meat.
The continued use of a retired official’s name and signature raises potential concerns over procedural validity in enforcement cases.
Under existing regulations, meat products sold without a Meat Inspection Certificate are subject to confiscation, with vendors facing penalties that may include suspension of market privileges.
The DVMF has been intensifying its “Operation Hot Meat” campaign in recent months, targeting the sale of uninspected meat products, particularly those sourced from upland barangays.
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