₱20-B yearly funding for livestock sector eyed

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking forward to a proposed ₱20-billion annual investment in the livestock sector, which will take effect once signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. before the month of September ends.

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Speaking at a breakout session of the Arangkada Philippines Investment Forum on Thursday, Sept. 25, DA Undersecretary for policy, planning, and regulations Asis G. Perez explained that the ₱20 billion would serve as an annual co-investment from the government, adding that the agriculture sector's broader investment requirement amounts to ₱3.5 trillion.

State-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) earlier expressed support for the passed House and Senate bills proposing the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, hence urged the President to sign the measure into law.

PIDS had said that the measure aims to strengthen the animal industry by establishing strong regulatory and development institutions and providing sufficient resources to support production, particularly for small farmers and producers. "The livestock, dairy, and poultry commodity systems are key drivers in Philippine agriculture," PIDS had noted.