The local livestock and poultry subsectors must get more assistance from the government to make meat products more affordable, which will help improve learning outcomes in the Philippines, according to Senator Cynthia A. Villar.
Villar noted that high meat prices could lead to protein deficiency, contribute to malnutrition and even affect learning outcomes. Citing the findings of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), she said students from countries with higher pork and chicken prices tend to have lower test scores.
Despite their importance, Villar said several challenges prevent the Philippine livestock and poultry subsectors from realizing their full potential.
“We know too well of the effect of disease outbreaks, such as the African swine fever, which has been afflicting our hog industry and decimating our pork supply since 2019. This has resulted in a significant increase in the prices of pork products.”
She said pork, and chicken are integral components of the Filipino diet, helping ensure a balanced intake of nutrients.
“It is estimated that 52 percent of our protein consumption comes from pork and chicken, and this is projected to grow even higher to 58 percent in 2030.”
Compared with other agricultural commodities, however, the lawmaker said the subsectors receive relatively lower development assistance from the government.
“The Philippine Institute for Development Studies data shows that from 2009 to 2020, fiscal support for the LPD [livestock, poultry and dairy] sector averaged only P1.18 billion per year, accounting for merely 1.6 percent of the total budget of the Department of Agriculture [DA] for the period.”
She said the “highly fragmented government support structure” is also responsible for the struggles of the dairy sector, which continues to rely heavily on imported milk.
The lawmaker is pushing for the passage of an enabling legislation that is expected to unlock the immense potential of the country’s livestock, poultry, and dairy subsectors.
She filed Senate Bill (SB) 2558 or “An Act Strengthening Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industry Development and Competitiveness, Rationalizing the Organization and Functions of Relevant Government Agencies, and Creating a Competitive Enhancement Fund Therefor.”
One of the salient features of the bill is the creation of a fund that will be earmarked for LPD.
“Building on the model of the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund or RCEF established under Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, tariff collection from LPD imports will be earmarked to the LPD Fund. It shall consist of an annual appropriation of P7.8 billion for six [6] years,” said Villar, who is also chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.
The beneficiaries of the fund are small-hold raisers, cooperatives, associations, or organizations accredited by the DA. An LPD Registry System, the master list of eligible beneficiaries will be established by the DA in consultation with farmer cooperatives and LGUs.
Under her proposal, 29 percent of the fund will be allotted for repopulation and herd build-up, improvement and accreditation of established breeding centers/stock farms nationwide while 15 percent will go to the Bureau of Animal Industry for animal health and welfare, and native animal development programs, disease control, prevention and response, including protective surveillance, pest and disease emergency response, and conduct of research and technology advancement programs.
Image credits: BusinessMirror file photo