The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) celebrated its 93rd Founding Anniversary on February 27, 2023 with the commitment to lead the sector towards recovery and continued growth.
“The responsibility and obligation upon us is great. We must do what we say. We must demonstrate competence and commitment in reaching high standards of performance,” DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban stressed during the event.
He recognized that the country’s livestock sector had suffered because of the African swine fever (ASF), but it has shown signs of recovery with 2.3 percent production growth last year.
With the launching of the Super Pig mascot, the DA-BAI is also intensifying its National ASF Prevention and Control Program including the Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) program as the ongoing ASF vaccine trials continue to show promising results.
“Makasisiguro po kayo, hindi namin sasayangin at pababayaan ang tiwala na ipinagkaloob niyo sa amin,” DA-BAI Director Paul Limson said.
The DA-BAI is implementing various programs and activities to address the key challenges in the sector such as the incursion of transboundary animal diseases and high cost of inputs.
The bureau’s strategic agenda include 1) boosting local production and raising the farmers’ and fisherfolk’s income; 2) ensuring accessibility to affordable, safe, and nutritious food; 3) developing strong, modernized, and climate resilient value chains; and 4) institutionalizing policy reforms and strengthening institutions.
With the theme, “Masiglang paghahayupan para sa masaganang hapag-kainan at maunlad na pamayanan,” the week-long anniversary celebration will feature free public seminars on meat processing and production of goat, cattle, and native chicken.
“Tunay na isinasaloob ng tagline natin ngayong taon ang nais marating ng ating industriya sa paghahayupan. Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na ang Bureau of Animal Industry ay patuloy niyong maaasahan at magiging katuwang sa pagtataguyod at pagpoprotekta ng industriya ng paghahayupan,” Director Limson expressed.### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)
