Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban met with stakeholders of the Philippine livestock and poultry industries to discuss the current situation and challenges of the sectors.

During the meeting, the group—composed of Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (AGAP) Partylist Representative Nicanor M. Briones and members of the Batangas Egg Producers Cooperative (BEPCO), the Egg Council of the Philippines (ECOP), the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA), the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA), and other industry representatives—proposed recommendations to assist the sector affected by the bird flu outbreak, high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus, and decline in farm gate prices.

The group, set to conduct another consultation meeting next month and provide President with specific programs and interventions, highlighted the importance of making the industry demand- and market-driven.

Also present during the discussion were Assistant Secretary Kristine Y. Evangelista, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) OIC Assistant Director Dr. Paul C. Limson, and representatives from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS). ### (photos by Gian Carlo Luague, DA-AFID)