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Secretary William Dar leads the ribbon cutting of the 1st National Livestock and Poultry Month exhibit at the Bureau at the Animal Industry (BAI) dome in Quezon City. Along with Sec. Dar is DA Undersecretary-designate for Livestock Dr. William Medrano (4th from the left), DA Assistant Secretary for Regulations and PCAF OIC Executive Director Liza Battad (2nd from the left), DA National Livestock Program Director Dr. Ruth Miclat-Sonaco (2nd from the right), and BAI OIC Director Dr. Reildrin Morales.

Private sector-partners from the National Banner Program Committee (NBPC) on Poultry, Livestock and Corn (PLC) joined top officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its bureaus and attached agencies in the launching of the first National Livestock and Poultry Month on October 4, 2021 at the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) dome in Quezon City.

The month of October is declared as the National Livestock and Poultry month following DA Special Order No. 411 Series of 2021 signed by Agriculture Secretary Dr. William Dar. 

The blended activity, with the theme “Paghahayupan, Kabuhayang may ani at kita kahit pandemiya,” the celebration seeks to acknowledge and value the efforts of partner stakeholders in the livestock and poultry industry especially in these trying times.

In his key message, Secretary Dar urged the Local Government Units (LGUs) to take the lead in the monitoring and surveillance of African Swine Fever (ASF) cases in their respective areas while expressing DA’s readiness to provide technical assistance. 

Sec. Dar also underscored the steps that the DA is taking to address the ASF problem in the country through research and development (R&D) such as partnership with the Central Luzon State University in developing rapid test kits and vaccines for the ASF. Meanwhile, the R&D partnership with the United States and the private sector is in progress.

The Agri Chief urged everyone’s help to make the country’s livestock and poultry sector a resounding success and defeat ASF. 

“The livestock and poultry industry remained steadfast in feeding the country and providing income especially in rural areas despite the challenges that it is currently facing from ASF and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DA Undersecretary-designate for Livestock Dr. William Medrano, highlighting DA’s community-based approach in fighting ASF through DA’s BaBAY-ASF.

Usec. Medrano also reported that the livestock and poultry sector contributed 26.6% of the total agricultural value production. He attributed this success to the tight coordination between LGUs and the National Government Agencies in preparing comprehensive programs and policies.

With the consultation activities of the NBPC on PLC, as facilitated by Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, the private sector-partners were able to ensure active and direct involvement in the development of the industry through policy recommendations.

In a video message, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chair Senator Cynthia Villar also urged to continue pursuing evidence-based policymaking because this will be beneficial to the Philippines as one of the fastest-growing in meat consumption.

The month-long event will also host series of webinars covering topics covering the livestock and poultry industry such as lectures on how to raise livestock and poultry animals, in-depth discussion of government interventions for livestock and poultry growers, success stories, roadmap presentation, and best practices among others.

For more information about these webinars, please visit the official Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Animal Industry’s Facebook page at facebook.com/bai.gov.ph | CCB