Category: Department of Agriculture

November 21, 2023

Philippines’s meat importation declined heftily in October this year to 95.979 million kilos, down by 18.9% in light of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) aggressive fight against illegal trade along with a rigorous program for increased local production.

DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) also reported lower cumulative meat imports from January to October this year to 1.019 billion kilos, down by 9.7% from 1.128 billion kilos in the same period last year.

DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano attributed the sustained downtrend in meat importation to the government’s thrust to raise local production. DA has also been collaborating with different government agencies in fighting illegal trade as this is the same marching order received by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel from President Ferdinand R. Marcos.

“Our mandate is to eliminate illegal meat importation, smuggling, hoarding, price manipulation, and anything that distorts prices in the market,” said Savellano. “We will raise production by five times (in five years). With enough volume we hope to make food affordable for Fiipinos. We want producers, especially small scale farmers, to make money.”

For beef, importation dropped 22.1% to 13.963 million kilos in October. Buffalo meat importation reached only 1.987 million kilos, down by 42.5% from 4.676 million kilos in the same period last year.

Pork which takes up the biggest share among meat import decreased by 26.35% to 45.604 million this ear from 61.927 million kilos in October 2022.

However, chicken importation in October this year rose slightly by 1.28% to 34.252 million kilos from 33.817 million kilos last year.

In the aim to raise local production, an immediate program of DA is to control infestation of African swine flu (ASF) and avian influenza (AI) while awaiting approval for vaccine commercialization.

“There are problems in the availability of vaccines for ASF and AI that are now being solved so that we can protect the population of hogs and chicken. We will also intensify research on vaccines so we can improve their availability,” said Savellano.

DA is raising its target on the use of artificial insemination in order to raise genetic quality of animals.

“We are raising our target on the use of artificial insemination by 50% from the previous 30%. We are improving availability of high quality semen to farmers under our breeding program in order to raise our animal and meat production,” he said.

DA is also embarking on long term programs to raise local animal and meat production. Investment are being done in infrastructure development including farm-to-market roads and transportation networks, cold storage facilities, and meat processing plants that can help reduce post harvest losses.

Food safety standards such as Good Agricultural Practice, Good Manufacturing Practice, and Hazard Anaysis Critical Control Point are being complied with.

DA will explore development of high-value meat products that have untapped markets. It will expand sources of meat importation that can offer good quality meat and competitive prices while curbing smuggling and illegal trade.

It is now setting up a Central Information Technology hub as part of a program to register all legitimate livestock farmers under a National Livestock Library. This will legitimatize contributors and beneficiaries of government’s livestock program.

PHOTO (L-R) Philippine Bamboo Industry Devt. Council Executive Director Rene Madarang, Deputy Speaker Antonio ‘Tonypet’ T. Albano of the 1st District of Isabela, DA Usec Deogracias Victor Savellano, and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. await flag ceremony at DA.

December 31, 2023

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

The “Kawayan Act” or the Bamboo Industry Development bill is seen to be approved until Congress’s third regular session in 2024 as government speeds up institutionalized mandate boosting investments into bamboo-based industrialization.

Sponsored by Senator Mark A. Villar, Senate Bill 2513, “An Act Institutionalizing the Bamboo Industry Development of the Philippines,” is now being finalized. It will be subjected to interpellation by senators perhaps by the first quarter of 2024 for any amendments.

Bicameral discussions ensue to come up with a unified version from the Senate and Lower House bills prior to submission to the Office of the President for ratification.

“We have enough time until the third regular session to complete the whole process,” said Lawyer Ken Sta. Rita, presiding officer at the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship (SCTCE). Congress’s third regular session begins in July 2024.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, also Philippine Bamboo Industry Devt Council vice chairman, said the urgent approval of the bamboo bill will enable realization of the vision of Executive Order 879 on bamboo industrialization.

“We will finally have a true ‘Pinoy’ industry that uses a green material to promote industrialization and dollar generation,” said Savellano. He authored an early version of a House bill supporting the productive use of the climate-smart native plant ubiquitously grown nationwide.

Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) Executive Director Rene Madarang said the bamboo law as approved will finally institutionalize a counterpart PBIDC office that harmonizes the myriad bamboo programs of government.

“It will all be under one center so that the private sector knows where to go to for different kinds of assistance that will enable us to nurture our bamboo industry,” said Madarang.

Senate Bill 2513 introduces incentives into the industry including making it an Investment Priorities Program product under Bureau of Investments in order to enjoy tax holidays, among others. Bamboo plantations will be exempted from permits for tree cutting, harvesting and transport. Private plantations will be allowed to enjoy free rental of government lands. Plantations will also be accepted as collateral for government loans.

Private sector players have also been pushing for incentives and policies that will encourage investments into the sector foreseen to gross $92 billion globally by end-2030. These are among the motions for which the SCTCE requested written proposals:

1. Tap the 204,000 hectare mature natural growth bamboo identified by the Forest Management Bureau. It can immediately be transformed into a processing center for high value added products — handicrafts, furniture and bamboo slats that will support indigenous people’s livelihoodCraft a Bamboo Villages program similar to Thailand’s which is reportedly investing $10 billion in 10 years for bamboo development.

2. Grant a 40-year bamboo plantation tenure so investors may have enough time to recover investments. Private sector investments in large scale plantations should be encouraged under an ease of doing business environment.
4. Land Bank of the Philippines should set up a credit program for micro small medium enterprises (MSME) engaged in bamboo business similar to the program that made a success of Masagana 99 in the 1970s.
6. Consider issuing a policy mandating 5-10% of construction materials should use locally processed bamboo out the P400 billion construction material industry.
8. Infrastructure such as farm to market roads and irrigation systems should be established as many bamboo plantations are in unreachable areas.
10. The bamboo bill should provide stability and predictability in policies as big investors cannot
    just put their money in policies that keep on changing.
11. 
    5.  Marketing assistance and supply of big volume of bamboo should be accorded
    to end-of-value-chain industries such as innovative house builders like Cubo.
13. The bamboo law should include a provision for bamboo as a structural timber in the Building
    Code. Bamboo lumber is a $5 to $10 billion industry.  Government should focus on its
    development.
15. Tax incentives should be granted for the mining industry to engage in large scale bamboo plantation as a supportive livelihood program for Indigenous People.
16. 
    PHOTO Swiss-Filipino Studio Couture used bamboo in this elegant Paranaque residence. Credit Arch20

December 30, 2023

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will replicate a beekeeping program that propagates indigenous honeybee breeds that now gives livelihood to Mangyans of Occidental Mindoro and has untapped potential for export.

DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said the beekeeping program will encourage local farmers to tap native honeybee breeds that are easy to grow. The program offers huge opportunities as income earner for farmers with honey’s medicinal and pharmaceutical properties.

The products of beekeeping- honey, pollen, propolis– are turned into-antibacterial soap, massage oil, lip balm, shampoo, and other products.

Local processed bee products have reportedly been reaching prominent export markets—particularly the royalties of England.

Savellano said DA will explore budget sources for the program through a Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) program.

“Beekeeping is a high value farm sector. It has export potential given an organized national program to develop it,” said Savellano.

Under its program, DA will accredit bee suppliers as part of developing the local industry. This accreditation policy will get rid of smugglers of queen bees which are the bees for reproduction.

“Queen bee smuggling has been destroying our local industry,” he said.

DA is partnering with the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) on a commercial system, yet community-based program on beekeeping.

Dr. Cleofas M. Cervancio, UPLB project leader, said UPLB is coming up with a bee roadmap whose aim is to tap the export market.

So far, the UPLB project has been benefitting rural communities. This includes Muslim communities in Lanao del Norte and Mangyans in Victoria, Occidental Mindoro.

Bee farms are now also being developed as agriculture tourism sites. One of such site is the Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm in Bulusan, Sorsogon. It is accredited by the Department of Tourism.

UPLB has been developing technologies using native bees, particularly stingless bees, in order to raise crop yield and sustain biodiversity.

The bee program has been identified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as the National Training Center for beekeeping. Trainings are on beekeeping, bee colony health, management and bee pasture development.

The UPLB Bee Program also participates in establishing Standards for Tropical Honey and Beekeeping Practices in the Asia Pacific Region.

The TESDA program features low cost rearing technology for bees and establishment of bee pasture and sanctuary in an agroecosystem. It developed a policy paper on Standards for Tropical Honey ratified by the Asian Apicultural Association.

These are other UPLB-developed bee technologies: Use of stingless bees for pollination; how to harvest honey, pollen, and propolis from stingless bees; propagation of stingless bees using coconut shells; and harvesting honey from giant honeybees.

The program enters into collaborative agreements on establishing Food and Drug Administration-accredited bee facility. Partnership is also promoted for the protection of intellectual property rights for the wooden hive technology.
PHOTO UPLB bee products. Credit–UPLB Agora

December 11, 2023

Melody Mendoza Aguiba

Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B.  Savellano, the lone Filipino Gusi Peace Prize 2023  leaureate, has called on collaborators to strengthen ties with government on food production as a means to counter insurgency and  terrorism.

   Awarded for good governance now geared toward increased food security, Savellano said political factions should all set aside ideologies in order to contribute to raising food supply. 

   With good governance,  he  means the least privileged, the most disadvantaged, the poor and marginalized should be given priority in government programs.  

   Food production is a primary mandate of government through which many socio-economic problems in the countryside can be solved, he said.

   “When the Filipino goes hungry, we have a national security problem. We are all confronted with food security which in fact is a national security problem.  That’s why all of us  public and private sector people should be involved in finding ways to raise food supply,” he said.

   Savellano made the statement in light of a bombing incident in Marawi early this week that is reportedly exposing internationally-linked terrorists to the violence.

   However,  government’s program for reintegrating rebels have been successfully luring returnees as its package of benefits includes safety and security of rebels’ families along with a health program and livelihood opportunities.

   With increased food production and livelihood generation in the countryside, rural folks are less likely to be  influenced to join armed rebellion, said Savellano.

   Ambassador Barry Gusi, founder of the Gusi Peace Prize, said the appointment of strong leaders in government as that of Savellano is so timely even now that violence has recurred with the bombing in Marawi City.

   “This (violence) has many factors—security, economy, political (differences).  They in the South should be given equal attention.  These people are not treated equally.  It’s not important whether you’re a Christian or Muslim.  People should be treated equally,” said Gusi. 

   Savellano is doing an important role in making available food, resources, and livelihood opportunities to all.

   “Food is a necessity.  Food is one of the main reasons (for all these violence).  Political (conflicts) arise from a lack of attention to Muslims.  They have been neglected in part in health care and food.  They don’t have enough.”   

 The Gusi Peace Prize is awarded for excellence in many areas like Medicine, Physics, etiology, environment, humanitarian works. 

   This year’s other laureates in the Gusi Peace Prize are Atty. Jordan Gjorchev, founder, National University of Macedonia; Dr. Lars Larsen, Medicine -Neuroscience trailblazer;

Dr. Carlos Paya, CEO of Immune Design; Fmr Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, supporter of disadvantaged Nepalese Community through The Himani Trust; Prof. Paris Katsivelos, quintessential actor, director, and educator of the dramatic arts.

   The rest are Amb. Georges Suha of the European Union in Africa; Dr. Craig Elevitch, pioneer,  Mama Food Forests cultivating 800 million of such to help address food security; Mr. Frank Shooster – Haiti Relief Efforts during the 2010 earthquake; Mrs Xiomara Delgado Reynoso – Improving Children’s Rights;  President Vit Jedlicka – political leader, Liberland;  and Hon. Samuel Charles – Leader of New Nigeria, CEO ANOG Petroleum LTD and 11 other companies.

      “Undersecretary Savellatno’s work (in agriculture)  is one of humanitarian nature.  If he can put something on the table, that helps many Filipinos,” he said.

   “Undersecretary Savellano is a man of understanding and compassion.  It is not hard to come to him and ask for help. I admire his efforts since he was a vice mayor, mayor, governor, and congressman in Ilocos.” 

PHOTO Gusi Prize awardee Deogracias Victor B. Savellano

December 8, 2023

Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano (9^th from L)  is the lone Filipino Gusi Peace Prize 2023  awardee for good governance.  Other laureates are Dr.(L-R) Hussein Said Bahri – Wedad Charity for helping orphans; Dr. Ing Ilgam Akbar Habibie,  CREATE Foundation  for youth empowerment; Dao Chi Manh, educational innovation and Leadership’ Dr. Jamyang Dolma, preservation of traditional folk music, ancient chant, and weaving in Tibet and Bhutan; Madam Al Ali Nada, improving children’s rights; Prof Irina Bondar – Development of National Culture, and the UNESCO Art for Action; Atty. Jordan Gjorchev, founder, National University of Macedonia; Dr. Lars Larsen, Medicine -Neuroscience; Carlos Paya, CEO of Immune Design; Fmr Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, supporter of disadvantaged Nepalese; ; Prof. Paris Katsivelos, quintessential actor, director; Amb. Georges Suha of the European Union in Africa; Dr. Craig Elevitch, pioneer,  Mama Food Forests for food security; Mr. Frank Shooster – Haiti Relief, 2010 earthquake; Mrs Xiomara Delgado Reynoso – Improving children’s rights;  President Vit Jedlicka – political leader, Liberland;  and Hon. Samuel Charles – Leader of New Nigeria. 

December 4, 2023

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

The government should consider investing in Automatic Identification System (AIS), a vessel tracking method, in its fight against smuggling and illicit  tobacco trade which have grown  into gigantic proportion, making these not only economic, but a national security threat.

    Former Congressman Jericho “Koko” Nograles warned that agriculture smugglers and perpetrators of illegal tobacco trade have unbelievably become “bigger and bolder.”

   The magnitude of agriculture smuggling, illegal tobacco trade, and all related illegal trades leads to suspicions of their threat to national security. Illegal activities have even been linked to financing terrorism. 

   “The problem wasn’t as bad as now,” said Nograles during the Anti Illicit Trade Inter Agency Dialogue. “Then, barely two years ago,  the legitimate tobacco industry was just getting pinched.  Now it’s bleeding.”

   A serious victim of illegal tobacco trade is the consumer himself who is exposed to risks of adverse health effect brought about by unregulated tobacco manufacturing.

   “We are fighting illegal tobacco smuggling because it is posing serious health risks to consumers while the government suffers from foregone revenue in billions,” according to Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano during the same dialogue.

   “With its complex nature, we need a whole-of-nation approach in this fight.   We should involve all agencies including DND (Department of National Defense) and the National Security Council,” he said.

   Tobacco smuggling’s impending victim also are legitimate tobacco manufacturers that are paying their tax dues.

   “If smuggling and illegal tobacco trade continues, the legitimate industry will close.  They will pack and go.  These will accelerate their decision making to say ‘it’s the end.’   That is goodbye to people who are willing and happy to pay taxes,”  said Nograles.

   Government should look into strengthening its border control while also investing in human resource training, automation, digitalization, and technology in the fight against smuggling, said Savellano.

   Automatic identification system or AIS is a transponder system enables information exchange between ships and ship stations (Marine Online).

   As there are dotted gray lines between countries’ territories at sea, the question on which country has jurisdiction on policy enforcement over this area arises.

   An AIS system will enhance collaborative agreements between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines on the  enforcement of anti-smuggling laws over these questionable areas.

   “These dotted gray lines have become a good business for smugglers,” said Nograles, explaining it must be another reason why illegal activities have been flourishing.

   As part of the AIS technology, a tracker of vessels, an app called “Marine Traffic,” is capable of identifying vessels including small boats that are now apparently being heavily used in smuggling. 

   The small boats, called “jongkong,” are able to dock on any small island which may have caused the huge growth in illicit trade activities.

   The AIS technology may be very expensive for small fishermen.  But if government shoulders the costs, its economic benefit  may turn out to be huge since the illegal trade problem is even causing huge economic losses to the country.

“The new Coast Guard has proposed it (AIS),  but it’s too expensive.  But we find ourselves in a situation now that is so absurd that the losses could actually pay for the solution,” said Nograles.

   Under prevailing practice, only vessels with huge capacity are required to acquire the system that enables their tracking at  sea.

   And jongkong boats are not required to install such system, making these untraceable, enabling tobacco smugglers to easily run away with their illegal trade.  

   If government invests in such system, Nograles suggested government may even find it easier to guard its territorial rights over West Philippine Sea.

PHOTO Automatic Identification System  Credit-Aeromarine SRT

November 28, 2023

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

Local government veterinarians have sought for the immediate resolution of the conflict on approving authority for African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza (AI) vaccines as the immediate supply of vaccines will arrest a “national emergency” in meat and food security.

The Provincial, City, Municipal Veterinarians League of the Philippines (PCM-VLP) has expressed disappointment over the conflict between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on the approving authority for vaccines.

The conflict has been dragging the worsening ASF and AI infestation on hog and poultry sectors.
“We have long been waiting for this resolution,” said PCM-VLP President Dr. Mary Grace M. Bustamante during the Animal Health Congress last week.

The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Livestock Group led by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel will coordinate with the Office of the President with which a petition for resolution on the conflict has been filed.

“The spread of ASF is now a national emergency concern. There are provinces that have shortages of pork for their citizens. Prices are soaring at wet markets. We need to ensure food security especially for pork,” said DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.

“The approval of ASF vaccines by the FDA is critical to our food security. We have been waiting. I do not know how long we can wait as ASF eats up LGUs who have now been declaring states of emergency.”

DA has not procured any vaccines for ASF since there are no FDA-approved vaccines for ASF, he said.

Local government veterians are concerned that FDA lacks the resources and capability to fully undertake the task of approving veterinary vaccines. This, although an earlier memorandum of agreement (MOA) ordered FDA and BAI to collaborate on regulating such veterinary products.

“FDA has limited people to look after this function. BAI used to do this task as it does have the capability to test and approve (the safety and efficacy) of vaccines. If this conflict is cleared, (then we can work toward ASF-free and avian flu-free status),” said Bustamante.

There is an apparent lack of alignment in the present setup where FDA approves commercial release of the vaccine while BAI is the one testing it.

It has been assumed that since some animal drugs are also being prescribed to human, even vaccines and animal biologics should be approved by FDA.

However, Bustamante asserted that veterinarians precisely know that animal vaccines are only for animals. Veterinarians nor medical practitioners will never prescribe animal vaccines to human. This should not then be a concern for regulators.

“We know that antibitiocs for animals are only for animals. We know that these vaccines should only be for animals. So why is there a need for FDA to approve it? she said.

FDA Advisory 2022-0591 indicated that marketing authorization of veterinary drugs, vaccines, medical devices will be regulated by FDA’s Center for Drug Regulation and Research (CDRF).
This advisory was issued apparently during the time of high Covid infections. It was in compliance with FDA Circular 2021-025 or the “Guidelines for Appplication for Authorization at FDA in light of Extended Stare of Public Health Emergency dated 9 December 2021.”

An earlier Joint DA and DOH Administrative Order (AO 0026) in 2013 indicated that FDA “shall continue to register veterinary drugs in pharmaceutical dosage forms except those intended for feeds and license establishments manufacturing, distributing , importing exporting, selling the same.”

The AO was effective for five years until sooner terminated. A periodic review of a Technical Working Group should also be in order to recommend appropriate actions.

Under the same AO, BAI will regulate veterinary drugs and products including “veterinary vaccines, diagnostic kits and reagents, veterinary medical devices, and other biological products.”

The limited number of veterinarians is also a major concern if the Philippines is seeking after ASF-free and AI-free status. However, Bustamante said that under present laws, only provincial governments and first class municipalities are required to hire veterinarians.

“If a local executive doesn’t find the importance of having veterinarians, we really can’t do much about this problem. How about second, third class municipalities– where hiring of veterinarians is dependent on who the local authority is?”

Dr. Loida M. Valenzuela, provincial veterianarian of Ilocos Norte, told the same Animal Health Congress that veterinarians should have an independent authority in local government units (LGU). They should not be under provincial agriculturists, considering that veterinary medicine is an entirely distinct professional discipline.

Entry level compensation for veterinarians should also be upgraded, according to Valenzuela. This will encourage fresh passers of Veterinary Medicine board examination to take on local government jobs.

The LGU veterinarians were regretful of the low passing rate for takers of Veterinary Medicine board examination. It has been limiting the number of animal experts in local governments. It worsens the already brain drain experienced as veterinarians choose to work in higher-paying private companies, worse abroad.

“Something has to be done about this. This is not favorable for us,” said a veterinarian at the Animal Health Congress.

PHOTO Sama sama nating sugpuin ang ASF

Nov. 9, 2023

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned against the sale of frozen meat in the wet market as this can put human health at risk due to the absence of refrigeration facilities and a lack of know-how of vendors on handling frozen meat.

   DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said DA is collaborating with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) so as to weed off public wet markets of health hazardous frozen products.

  DA also advised consumers to look for the seal of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to ensure food safety.

   “Delikado ito sa kalusugan ng tao. Hanapin ang papeles ng NMIS at katayan ng mga LGU (local government units). Walang problema ang imported na karne. Huwag lang ibenta na sariwa sa palengke.”

   (This is dangerous to health.  Look for the NMIS food safety seal and of LGU’s slaughterhouse documents.  Imported frozen meat is not the problem, but their handling as fresh food in wet markets.)

   DA Administrative Order 6-2012 prohibits frozen meat from being sold in the wet market.  Frozen meat should only be confined to hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets which have the refrigeration facilities and handling expertise. 

   Savellano said DA is also examining the price difference of poultry being sold in the market compared to farmgate prices.  While poultry’s price sold in the wet market has been increasing, farmgate price has actually been decreasing. 

   Ang mga nag-aalaga ng manok ay dumadaing sa mababang presyo na kuha sa kanila ng mga biyahero.

   (Poultry farmers have been complaining against the low price at which traders buy their produce.)

   DA believes the excessive dumping of frozen meat in the wet market may be the cause why farmgate price of poultry  has been decreasing to the detriment of farmers.

   Also, Savellano fears poultry farmers have been cutting maturity days for harvesting poultry—down to 27 or 28 days instead of 30 days.  This, as they try to meet poultry demand in time for the Christmas holidays.

   However, instead of increasing their income from increased production, they may be suffering from low farmgate price due to excessive frozen meat in the wet market.

   Savellano said DA’s objective is three-pronged, not just raise supply.  But it is to raise production, bring down price for consumers, and raise farmers’ income.

   DA’s strategy to meet these objectives is to increase feed production to lower price, reported Heaven Torres of DA Livestock.

   “Nagpapatanim na kami ng malalaking plantasyon ng mais para mapababa ang gastos ng mga nag aalaga at siya ding dapat ikababa sa merkado para sa lahat ng Pilipino.  Ang dapat na mababang presyo sa farm ay dapat maramdaman ng mga mamimili sa palengke.”.

   (DA is now expanding planting of corn so as to bring down feed costs of poultry farmers.  This should lead to lower price of chicken for Filipino consumers.  Filipinos should be able to feel the low price of chicken).

   DA has also asked Malacanang to grant it the authority to manage and administer African swine fever and avian flu vaccine. 

   As soon as it is granted this jurisdiction (with which it has conflict with Food and Drug Administration), it can then hasten processing of access of  vaccines to the industries. This is critical in preventing the fast spread of the diseases. Heaven Torres

October 29, 2023

By Aurelio Salvador

The first biosecure swine multiplier technology-demonstration farm has been launched in Ilocos Region as part of the Marcos Administration’s program to fight African swine fever (ASF), raise swine production, and give livelihood to small farmers.

   Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano graced last October 24 the Swine Multiplier and Technology Demonstration (SMTD) farm in Natividad, Pangasinan.

   “We will repopulate our hog sector through these swine technology centers. We have put in place biosecurity measures that use a standard shelter design for hogs to keep small farms away from ASF,” said Savellano.

   The technology centers will be sites through which good swine genetics will be disseminated to farflung provinces.  Through farmers’ trainings on biosecurity measures, Philippines will be able to raise hog inventory and pork supply, Savellano said.

      “The facility will provide support to local raisers by making available breeders and breeding materials and by producing adequate and quality stocks to supply DA and other agencies’ needs for sustainability in production,” he said.

   A budget of P40 million has been allocated for four SMTDs in Ilocos Region.  A budget of P10 million per SMTD includes provision for tunnel vent type facility and 30 breeder sows and feeds. 

   The Natividad facility is the first.  Three others will be launched within the year.  The sites are Manaoag, Pangasinan and Candon and Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

   Local government units (LGU) provide the land for the swine facility as its counterpart support. Farmers are trained on biosecure hog raising prior to receiving their swine.

   DA’s National Livestock Program (NLP) has partnered with the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) based in Lipa City, Batangas for the house design for the hogs, according to Agricultural Training Institute livestock focal person Krizel Joy Natividad.

   The SMTD has been introduced under DA-NLP’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program.  It is a hog repopulation program aimed at raising hog inventory following heavy ASF infestation, reported Aurelio Salvador of DA-Livestock

   Biosecurity measures in the swine program includes disinfestation process under which farm workers are required to bathe for disinfection before and after entering the swine facilities.  They also go through a 24-hour quarantine after entry to the facilities.

   The swine facility itself is air-conditioned and has curtains that keep the facility off infection.

   Present also during the launch were OIC-Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Arcely G. Robeniol (representing Pangasinan Provincial Governor Ramon V. Guico III); LGU-Natividad Municipal Mayor Hon. Rosita G. Rafael; Municipal Agriculturist Engr. John Christian M. Sioco; and ATI-RTC 1 Center Director Dr. Rogelio C. Evangelista.

   The event was also witnessed by the members of the Pagrang-ayan ti San Pedro Farmers Association, Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council (MAFC) Chairman Mr. Loujay S. Pagal, Sangguniang Kabataan Federated President Ms. Angelica D. Malaca, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Ms. Hope Ordonio, and staff of the Municipal Agriculture Office.

PHOTO DA Usec Deogracias Victor Savellano (third from leflt) leads launch of biosecure Swine Multiplier Techno-Demo Farm in Natividad, Pangasinan

October 27, 2023

The Department of Agriculture-National Tobacco Administration has negotiated a higher price for Virginia tobacco, up by an average of P9.90 per kilo for various grades, enabling farmers to enjoy higher income while raising for government excise tax that stands at P150 billion.

   DA-NTA has  successfully haggled for the higher tobacco price during the  tripartite conference last October 3 and 4 attended by farmers and tobacco buyers.

   DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano expressed satisfaction over the NTA negotiation which is resulting in better income for farmers for trading years 2024 and 2025.

   “This is an unprecedented increase in the price of Virginia tobacco in at least 10 years of  trading history.  It  will surely benefit our farmers.  We also need to continue finding ways to help raise farmers’ income through intercropping and other alternative livelihood,” said Savellano.

   In the same forum, the increase in floor prices for a kilo of Burley tobacco and native-type tobacco are P5.90 and P3.90, respectively over the same trading years.

   DA-NTA reported earlier that for trading years 2022 and 2023, floor price per kilo for Virginia top grades was at P87.10 for Grade AA and P86.10 for Grade A.

   For Burley, the top grades A and B was at P75.10 and P72.10, respectively. The floor price for high grade of the native type was P77.10 per kilo. 

   The NTA Governing Board will release the full details of the 2024-2025 floor prices for various grades and their increases.

   NTA Administrator Belinda S. Sanchez initiated the successful negotiation.  The price increment is the second highest of such price difference brought about by NTA intervention.

   Records show the highest agreed increase on the floor price of Virginia tobacco was P10 a kilo.  It was also a result of a negotiation in a tripartite conference on December 10, 2007.

   “It was a time when the honorable DV (Deogracias Victor) Savellano also intervened when he was then governor of Ilocos Sur.  This is the second time Usec Savellano is intervening,” according to the NTA.

   The succeeding tripartite conferences after the 2007 forum brough an increase in floor prices of Virginia tobacco by a minimal P1 to P3 a kilo.

   The NTA convenes the tripartite conference every two years to review and fix reasonable tobacco floor prices.   Agreements on tobacco price consider factors including world market situations, production costs, and a reasonable margin of profit for farmers, dealers, manufacturers, and exporters.

   “The ultimate aim of our tripartite forum is to strengthen the tobacco industry as part of the directive of President (Ferdinand R.) Marcos for us to help raise income of farmers.  We will also increase our exports and reduce imports as we expand our production,” said Savellano.

   The tobacco industry generates huge tax revenue for government, reaching to P149.7 billion in excise tax in 2020.  It contributes at least P74 billion per year to the Universal Health Care program.

   “We aim to improve our industry while we help balance the tobacco industry’s contribution to the economy, being one of the highest contributors to the government coffer,” Savellano said.

   Tobacco-producing local government units (LGUs) got a P19 billion share from the national government’s 2020 excise tax revenue.  LGU share is being used for cities’ and municipalities’ implementation of priority programs.

   The industry provides livelihood to at least 2.1 million people, including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their family members.

PHOTO Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano leads a tripartite consultative conference in Ilocos Sur attended by farmers, traders