In a virtual meeting with the poultry stakeholders on March 30, 2021, about the chicken cost structure, the members of the National Banner Program Committee on Livestock, Poultry, and Corn (NBPC on LPC) pointed out to the Department of Agriculture (DA) that the cost estimates they have presented were a bit modest.

The NBPC on LPC called for a consideration of other expenses that were not included in the cost structure presented and items that were underestimated.

During the meeting, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) OIC Assistant Director for Production & Research Dr. Rene Santiago presented the DA Production Cost assumption for chicken which is at PhP102/kg at farm gate price.

It was agreed during the meeting that the technical working group on broiler will prepare a table/matrix where stakeholders can input their operational costs based on their respective actual operations that will be used as a reference in coming up with a proposed estimate for the cost structure for broiler.

The group also called to reiterate the earlier request for the strict implementation and compliance of Local Government Units (LGUs) to the DILG-Memorandum Circular 133 Series of 2020 which suspends the collection of “pass-through fees” and other illegal fees and charges that adds up to the cost structure of the poultry stakeholders.

It was also recommended to the appropriate authorized body or national government agency to require commercial poultry farms to hire licensed veterinarians to be accountable for the monitoring, reporting, and prevention of possible disease outbreaks.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary designate for Livestock Dr. William Medrano underscored the importance of the active participation of poultry stakeholders in achieving a balance between the interest of the producers and consumers. “You are valuable to us. Your presence manifests your interest and confidence in DA’s goal of transparent and inclusive governance,” he added.### CCB