By Kenneth Marcos 
As food prices remain tight and families look for affordable protein on the table, government and industry leaders gathered to shape the future of the country’s poultry and livestock sectors. The discussion focused on how to produce more food locally, improve nutrition, and ensure that public funds are spent where they are most needed.
On February 6, 2026, the National Sectoral Committee (NSC) on Poultry and Livestock held a key meeting that brought together government agencies, sector representatives, and private stakeholders. The meeting aimed to align plans, programs, and budgets to strengthen domestic production, improve nutrition outcomes, and support long-term food security.
During the session, the committee reviewed and endorsed proposed plans and budget priorities of major agencies, including the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), the Department of Agriculture’s National Livestock Program (NLP), and the Halal Food Industry Development Program. These programs play a central role in supplying meat, milk, and other animal-based food products to Filipino households.
NSC Presiding Chairperson Dr. Arnulfo Frontuna underscored the strong potential of the dairy sector, not only as a source of income for farmers but also as a key contributor to national nutrition. He said improving productivity and sustainability in livestock and poultry can help address both hunger and livelihood gaps, especially in rural areas.
The NDA and PCC presented their updates, explaining their mandates, policy directions, and ongoing programs. Officials also responded to questions from stakeholders, including the expanded role of the PCC under the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act. Under this law, the PCC now serves as the Department of Agriculture’s main research arm for livestock and poultry, focusing on breeding, genetics, and technology development.
One of the main topics during the open forum was the implementation of the Department of Education’s milk feeding program. Participants sought clarity on the roles of NDA and PCC, with officials stressing that the identification of beneficiaries is handled by DepEd in coordination with local partners. The discussion highlighted the need for close coordination to ensure that milk reaches children in areas with high malnutrition.
Stakeholders also raised concerns about better targeting of nutrition interventions in communities with high poverty rates. Some participants proposed complementing milk feeding with other affordable food sources such as eggs and nutribun to widen the nutritional impact, especially where milk supply is limited.
Broader industry issues were also discussed, including livestock breeding, genetic resource development, and the use of sexed semen technology. These innovations were cited as ways to improve herd quality and reduce the country’s dependence on imported livestock and breeding materials.
Presentations from the National Livestock Program and the Halal Food Industry Development Program generated further discussion on budget allocation, implementation timelines, and regional distribution of projects. Officials clarified details of the two-tier Swine Repopulation Program, which involves multiplier farms that produce breeder animals and conduit farms that distribute these to small raisers recovering from African swine fever losses.
Operational concerns were also brought to the table. Participants highlighted the need for better support for job order personnel assigned to 24/7 quarantine stations, who play a crucial role in preventing animal disease outbreaks. The concern was acknowledged and noted for inclusion in the meeting’s synthesis of agreements and policy recommendations.
As the meeting ended, participants agreed that closer coordination, clear roles, and well-targeted budgets are essential to build a stronger poultry and livestock sector. With rising demand for affordable protein and persistent nutrition challenges, the outcomes of these discussions are expected to shape programs that directly affect farmers, consumers, and the wider economy.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News