Various private sector stakeholders, particularly the poultry industry players, gained additional information and knowledge on the Animal Welfare Act, Philippine National Standards concerning Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), and its corresponding protocols and procedures during the Comprehensive Seminar on Production Standards and Related Local and National Legislations for Poultry Farmers of Tublay, Benguet held at the TAMFPC Training Hall, Acop, Caponga, Tublay on September 8, 2023.
The activity is a collaborative effort between the Department of Agriculture – CAR Regulatory Division, the local government unit (LGU) of Tublay, and the Benguet Provincial Veterinary Office.
Jeffrey D. Sotero, Tublay municipal agriculturist, proudly mentioned Tublay’s self-sufficiency in chicken egg supply and even occasional surpluses, during his opening message. Dr. Purita L. Lesing, the newly appointed provincial veterinarian of Benguet, affirmed this, stating that the province boasts a 56% sufficiency level in egg supply, with Tublay playing a vital role in this achievement. Dr. Lesing also assured the participants of continued government support for marketing their produce, provided that they comply with the provisions of the law and remain vigilant in reporting diseases to prevent outbreaks to safeguard both food security and safety in the province.
Meanwhile, Ruben A. Dulagan, Chief of the Regulatory Division, urged the poultry farmers to expand and improve their good practices. He emphasized the significance of The Food Safety Act, which encompasses all agricultural produce, and underscored the importance of environmental responsibility in tandem with progress. Mr. Dulagan also highlighted the Five Animal Freedoms namely: freedom from hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, and the ability to express normal behavior.
The seminar delved into the regulatory landscape with presentations from Regional Animal Welfare Officers. Eunice W. Beta-a enlightened the participants about The Animal Welfare Act, including the Implementing Rules and Regulations related to poultry production and transport in compliance with the act.
She reminded the participants that while animal welfare is vital, human welfare takes precedence. Fe M. Balalong followed and elaborated on the License To Operate (LTO) application procedures and documentary requirements, highlighting the importance of compliance for poultry raisers.
Moreover, Mylene P. Cadalig introduced the GAHP for poultry and emphasized the need for these practices to ensure product safety at the farm level. She focused on biosecurity measures and encouraged the farmers to seek GAHP certification. Jennifer G. Soposop expounded on the GAHP specifically on poultry feeds and feeding. She cautioned the participants against purchasing animal feeds without proper labels, as feed quality directly impacts the quality of poultry products.
Further, Dr. Annabelle N. Apse from the Benguet Provincial Veterinary Office shared insights into prevalent poultry diseases, prevention strategies, and cures. She highlighted the importance of verifying veterinary papers, especially when procuring Ready-To-Lay (RTL) pullets. Dr. Apse also stressed the importance of reporting diseases and completing antibiotic prescriptions to mitigate antimicrobial resistance.
Updates from the Business Permits and Licensing Section, Office of the Municipal Agriculture and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Unit were also presented by Yolanda S. Pangayan, Saturnino D. Tande, and Elbino I. Sabino, respectively.
In his message, Tublay Municipal Mayor Hon. Armando I. Lauro inspired the participants to stand firm, as they have already proved that their business venture is feasible, and encouraged them to pacify the problems that may occur, within and together, find solutions, document progress and most importantly, comply with the law. “All developments are accompanied by problems but we should not focus on those,” said Lauro.
Present also during the seminar was Councilor Marvin M. Mayos, who closed the activity by highlighting the importance of combining new knowledge with the farmers’ experience to address challenges effectively. He also recognized that the farmers play a pivotal role in crafting local ordinances, further underscoring their status as priority stakeholders in the region’s agricultural development.
The seminar served as a crucial platform for informing poultry farmers about the existing laws and regulations while fostering a dialogue for problem-solving within the poultry-raising community and the local government. The road to achieving self-sufficiency in egg production in Benguet is now clearer, given the compliance with The Animal Welfare Act and the implementation of GAHP at its forefront. As stakeholders work together, Benguet moves closer to realizing its vision of a thriving and sustainable poultry industry. By FMBalalong
