The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) recently hosted a courtesy visit from the leadership of the Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) to discuss the implementation of Republic Act No. 12308, also known as the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act of 2025.
The meeting, held at the ARTA headquarters in Diliman, focused on navigating the regulatory shifts introduced by the new law, which aims to modernize the livestock, poultry, and dairy sectors to bolster national food security and farmer livelihoods.
Signed into law on September 25, 2025, R.A. No. 12308 reorganizes key livestock agencies and expands the mandate of the National Dairy Authority (NDA). AMC Managing Director Tarang Gupta raised vital points regarding the transition, specifically the transfer of dairy product oversight from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the NDA.
AMC expressed concerns over:
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Regulatory Uncertainty: The current lack of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
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Operational Timelines: Potential bottlenecks caused by inter-agency coordination.
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Compliance Standards: The need for a clear Citizens’ Charter and the conduct of a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), as mandated by R.A. No. 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Law).
“Our intent is not to sound an alarm, but to request transparency,” said Gupta, emphasizing that as a major employer and taxpayer in San Pedro, Laguna, AMC remains committed to compliance but requires clear standards to avoid implementation risks.
ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez lauded AMC’s proactive approach and advised the corporation to lead the charge in consolidating industry-wide concerns. “We encourage the industry to draft a unified position paper that clarifies the specific regulatory processes impacting the ease of doing business. Direct engagement with agency leaders is essential to addressing these urgent implementation concerns,” Secretary Perez stated.
Undersecretary Lea-Grace B. Salcedo, ARTA Deputy Director General for Operations, further emphasized that the position paper should highlight the implications for the Citizens’ Charter. This ensures that as agencies transition, the “rules of the game” remain predictable for the private sector, preventing inconsistent interpretations and delays.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to structured engagement. ARTA’s Compliance and Monitoring Evaluation Office (CMEO) and Better Regulations Office (BRO) will continue to work alongside industry stakeholders to ensure the transition honors the spirit of the Bagong Pilipinas—where government efficiency enables private sector growth.
