New law boosts pork output

The newly signed law creating an annual ₱20-billion fund to strengthen the competitiveness of the local livestock and poultry sectors is expected to curb soaring pork prices, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

Three days before it was scheduled to lapse into law, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act (RA) No. 12308, or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act (AIDCA), on Sept. 25.

The law will take effect by mid-October, upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

Tiu Laurel said industry stakeholders have long clamored for such a measure following the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), which slashed the country's hog population by around six million heads.

AIDCA establishes the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF), which will have an annual budget of ₱20 billion, funded by tariff collections from imported livestock, poultry, and dairy products.