BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFO-CAR) through the Regulatory Division-Livestock Program hosted a successful and fruitful 2024 midyear review, assessment, and planning workshop with the provincial local government unit (PLGU) counterparts at the DA-CAR New Conference Hall, Guisad Road, Baguio City on August 6-8, 2024.
“To our partner agencies and PLGU staff from the PVOs, CVAOs and agricultural program coordinating offices (APCOs), on behalf of our Regional Executive Director, Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Dr. Arlene Sagayo, thank you for coming over, and may you have a fruitful and active participation in this activity,” Regional Technical Director for Operations Engr. Danilo P. Daguio said during his opening remarks. In addition, he also shared that as part of the ways of moving forward, Presidential Assistant for the Cordillera Administrative Region Antonio Tabora Jr. is encouraging the staff from the Livestock Program to submit a proposal for projects that can improve the Dairy Farm at Dontogan, Sto. Tomas, Baguio City.
The activity highlighted the updates on Livestock Program, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), National Meat Inspection Service, National Dairy Authority, Philippine Carabao Center, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation , Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center, and research outreach stations in Luna, Apayao and Rizal, Kalinga programs, projects and activities. Additionally, personnel from the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory also gave updates on the regional livestock animal parasitology, African Swine Fever, rabies, and case reports in livestock animals including a report on the livestock projects under the Field Operations Division.
The accomplishments of the local governments on the livestock sector were presented by the personnel from the provincial and city veterinary offices from the Cordillera, while the DA-CAR’s Regional Agricultural Engineering Division shared issues and concerns regarding the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion mode of implementation from 2022-2023.
Staff from the BAI Central Office and DA-BAI-Avian Influenza Task Force focal person Dr. Arlene Vytiaco and Dr. Joana David also attended the activity to talk about the DA Administrative Order number five (DAAO-NO.05 series of 2019) or the Guidelines on the Local Transport/Shipments of Animals/ Animal Products and by-products and discuss on the issues regarding avian influenza.
After the reporting and discussions on the updates on, Regional Livestock Program focal person Dr. Kevin Jim Luna and Report Officer Jayvee Canor facilitated the planning workshop for cycle year 2025, including the summary of agreements and ways forward.
During the conclusion of the two-day activity, Regulatory Division Chief Marlyn C. Tejero appreciated all the participants from the provincial veterinary offices (PVOs), APCOs and partner agencies including staff from the BAI Central Office. “Thank you very much for joining this fruitful and informative planning in preparation for the challenge of CY 2025 because of our bigger budget”, she said.
The following key personnel who attended the activity are the staff from the six PVOs led by Dr. Jomarh Zales from Abra, Dr. Ralph Verson from Apayao, Dr. Purita Lesing from Benguet, Dr. Roland Pila from Ifugao, Dr. Leonardo Damian from Kalinga, and Dr. Rodel Bagawi from Mountain Province, Dr. Silardo Bested together with Dr. Gladys Bantog from Baguio City Veterinary and Agriculture Office, and Dr. Carmen Wanas from the Tabuk City Veterinary Office. Representatives from APCOs of the region were also present during the activity. By Tan Dulag
