UPANG matiyak ang paglago ng agriculture sector, ini-sponsor ni Sen. Cynthia Villar ang mahalagang panukala para buksan ang malaking potensyal ng bansa sa livestock, poultry, at dairy (LPD) industry.
Ini- sponsor niya ang Senate Bill No. 2558 sa ilalim ng Committee Report No. 193 (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”.
Sa paghain sa panukala, sinabi ng Chairperson ng Committee on Agriculture and Food, na isusulong ng adhikaing ito ang development at competitiveness ng LPD industry na mahigit 1/4 ng output ng agricultural sectornoong 2023.
“It stimulates economic growth, especially in rural areas and provides livelihood opportunities to more than 2.8 million livestock and poultry farmers,” ayon kay Villar.
Sinabi rin niya na ang baboy at manok ay integral na bahagi ng Filipino diet na tulong sa kailangang sustansiya.
“It is estimated that 52.0 percent of our protein consumption comes from pork and chicken, and this is projected to grow even higher to 58.0 percent in 2030.” ani Villar.
“Due to this, high meat prices could lead to protein deficiency and contribute to malnutrition. It could even affect learning outcomes. In fact, the findings of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), students from countries with higher pork and chicken prices tend to have lower test scores,” pahayag pa ng senador.
Sa kabila ng kahalagahan nito, dismayado si Villar na nahaharap sa maraming pagsubok ang LDP industry na hadlang para makamit nito ang 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,” giit ni Villar.
Kapag ikinumpara sa ibang agricultural commodities, ang LPD sector ang may pinakamababang development assistance mula sa pamahhalaan.
“The Philippine Institute for Development Stufies (PIDS) data shows that from 2009 to 2020, fiscal support for the LPD sector averaged only PhP 1.18 billion per year, accounting for merely 1.6 percent of the total budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the period,” ani Villar.
Ipinahayag din ng senador na nakikibaka ang Pilipinas sa dairy production at lubusang umaasa sa imported milk.
Isa sa mga dahilan nito ay ang mataas na fragmented government support structure sa pangangasiwa sa LPD industry.
Tinukoy din sa panukala ang pagbuo ng Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Competitiveness Enhancement Fund o LPD Fund.
“Building on the model of the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund or RCEF established under Republic Act No. 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 PhP7.8 billion for six (6) years,” sabi ni Villar.
Gagamitin ang pondo ng mahahalagang ahensiya bukod sa kanilang taunang mga pondo.
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.
Ibibigay ang LPD Fund na PhP 7.8 billion para sa mga sumusunod.
1. Twenty-nine percent (29%) sa repopulation at herd build-up, improvement at accreditation ng established breeding centers/stock farms nationwide;
2. Fifteen percent (15%) sa BAI para sa animal health at welfare at native animal development programs, disease control, prevention at response, ksbilang ang protective surveillance, pest at disease emergency response af conduct of research at technology advancement programs;
3. Fifteen percent (15%) sa PhilMech sa pagpapatayo o pagpapabuti sa shared service facilities;
4. Fifteen percent (15%)sa pagpapabuti sa food safety at animal support extension at training;
5. Twelve percent (12%) na hahatiin sa 4percent sa BAI-Feeds Development Service, NDA at PCC sa development at propagation ng animal at poultry feeds, forage at fodder;
6. Five percent (5%) na hati ang Land Bank of the Philippines at Development Bank of the Philippines, para para psmahalsan ang laan sa credit facility sa pag.unlad breeders at stocks;
7. Three percent (3%) sa Office of the Undersecretary para sa NLPD Program,
8. Three percent (3%) DA-Agribusiness at Marketing Assistance Service;
9. Two percent (2%) na hahatiin sa BAI-Livestock Research at Development Division (1%) para sa farm school-based o industry-driven research at development programs;
10.One percent (1%) sa Cooperative Development Authority para da accreditation ng small-hold livestock, poultry, and dairy raisers, into formal groups, cooperatives, or organizations.
“It is my hope that through these efforts, we would be able to provide adequate support to our raisers and farmers, boost our domestic production capabilities and improve the competitiveness of our LPD industry,” pahayag ni Villar.
