The Department of Agriculture (DA) kicked-off this year’s National Livestock and Poultry Month celebration, led by DA Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. Constante J. Palabrica on October 13, highlighting the crowning glories of the Philippine livestock and poultry subsectors.
Usec. Palabrica emphasized the recent developments and achievements of the country’s animal industry, which includes the Republic Act 12308 or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act (AIDCA) signed by His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on September 25, 2025.
Set to take effect this October, the AIDCA establishes the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF), which annually allocates Php20 billion (B) from tariffs from imported animal products collected in the next 10 years. The said fund will be used by the DA for its repopulation programs, carabao and dairy herd build-up initiatives, animal health welfare and disease control measures, capacity recovery fund, establishment and maintenance of processing facilities, food safety and extension support services, animal feeds, credit assistance, marketing activities, research and development, and accreditation of farmers. If in cases the collected tariffs exceed Php20-B, the excess amount will be dedicated as financial support for livestock and poultry raisers.
The newly approved law also sets into motion the reorganization of the DA livestock offices to streamline government operations and services for livestock and poultry stakeholders.
“Naniniwala ako na ang pinakamahalagang puhunan natin ay mga tao. Ang ating mga magsasaka, manggagawa, at eksperto sa industry ang mga tunay na haligi ng ”panagdur-as”—sila ang nagpapatunay na sa tulong ng makabagong kasanayan at sama-samang pagkilos ay makakamit natin ang Masaganang Bagong PIlipinas,” Usec. Palabrica shared.
The DA official also shared the upcoming arrival of high-quality pigs from the United States (US) as well as imported breeder animals within the year—a welcome development to improve local production and attain food security.
“Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., isusulong natin ang adhikain ng Bagong Pilipinas—isang pamahalaang magsusulong ng bago, disiplina, at pagkakaisa tungo sa kaunlaran. Mahalaga ang papel ng sektor ng paghahayupan – ito ay mapagkukunan ng masustansiyang pagkain, pinagmumulan ng kabuhayan, at sandigan ng ating food security at rural development. Kaya naman pinalalakas natin ang ating livestock industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., DA Undersecretary for Operations Engr. Roger V. Navarro expressed his support for the conduct of this year’s National Livestock and Poultry Month with the theme, “Panagdur-as: Makabagong Kasanayan, Lakas ng Paghahayupan para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.”
Inspired by the Ilocano word ‘panagdur-as’ (‘progress,’ ‘growth,’ ‘development’), the theme encapsulates the vital role of the Philippine livestock and poultry industries in economic development and national transformation through the attainment of agricultural modernization, productivity, profitability, and sustainability as well as the empowerment of local animal raisers and key stakeholders.
“The theme captures what the sector stands for: progress built on modern knowledge strengthened by the hard work and unity of our livestock and poultry communities. Every livestock raiser we meet on the field reminds us that progress is not just about production numbers or new technologies; it’s about people, it’s about families who rely on livestock and poultry for food and livelihood, it’s about farmers who get up to take care of the families and the animals, and it’s about communities that grow stronger because of their shared dedication,” Usec. Navarro noted.
In a ceremonial pledging led by DA-National Livestock Program (NLP) Director Dr. Claro N. Mingala, the DA family also vowed to unite and promote a modernized, resilient, and reliable animal industry in the Philippines.
By virtue of Special Order No. 411, series of 2021, the National Livestock and Poultry Month is celebrated every October in honor of the World Day for Farmed Animals on October 2. This is spearheaded by the DA Livestock Group comprising of Office of the Undersecretary for Livestock (OUSL), along with the Offices of the Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry (OASP), and of the Assistant Secretary for Ruminant Livestock (OASRL), NLP, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), and International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH).
A photo exhibition was also launched for public viewing at the DA Central Office in Quezon City featuring the Gawad Saka national winners for livestock categories, namely: Reymon R. Abara (Outstanding Dairy Carabao Raiser), Edy A. Allado (Outstanding Dairy Carabao Raiser-Family Module), Gemma E. Chavez (Outstanding Large Animal Raiser Adopting Integrated Farming System), Rey C. Duldulao (Outstanding Small Animal Raiser Adopting Integrated Farming System), Sta. Cruz Multipurpose Cooperative (Outstanding Goat Raiser), and Unified Engineering Workers’ Multipurpose Cooperative (Outstanding Dairy Cattle Raiser).
Also included in the photo exhibit are the success stories of DA-NLP beneficiaries, Basay Veterans Multipurpose Cooperative (Livestock Economic Enterprise Development/LEED Program) and Bikolanas Agriculture Cooperative (Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion/INSPIRE Program). All stories are testament to the strides made by the DA Livestock Group to improve the livelihoods and quality of life of local animal raisers.
