By Kenneth Marcos 
In the bustling halls of the National University–Mall of Asia, experts and officials gathered on January 29–30, 2026, united by a shared goal: safeguarding the health of people, animals, and the environment across the Philippines.
The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) actively participated in the country’s first Philippine One Health Conference, a national platform bringing together government agencies, the academe, stakeholders, and international partners. The event aimed to strengthen the nation’s capacity to address emerging and re-emerging health challenges through coordinated, multi-sectoral action.
Dr. Janice Garcia, Officer-in-Charge of BAI’s Animal Health and Welfare Division (BAI-AHWD), represented the bureau and delivered a presentation on “Policy, Governance, and Capacity Building for One Health in the Philippines.” She highlighted the current policy frameworks, governance mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives that enable nationwide implementation of the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health strategies.
Other DA agencies, including the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), and National Dairy Authority (NDA), also joined the discussions, demonstrating the department’s commitment to advancing One Health initiatives and fostering collaboration across sectors.
Organized by the Philippine One Health University Network (PHILOHUN) in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), National University–MOA, and the Philippine American Academy of Science & Engineering (PAASE), the conference provided a venue for sharing best practices, developing strategies, and strengthening partnerships.
Experts underscored that addressing health threats requires a unified approach that considers humans, animals, and the environment together. Coordinated efforts are critical in preventing disease outbreaks, protecting livestock and food safety, and building resilience against public health emergencies.
For DA-BAI, the conference reinforced its role in policy guidance, surveillance, and capacity building, ensuring that animal health measures align with broader One Health goals. Initiatives like these aim to protect communities, maintain safe food systems, and prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases that could threaten both public health and livelihoods.
As the Philippines confronts complex health challenges, events like the One Health Conference provide an essential platform for knowledge exchange, collaborative planning, and building stronger partnerships between government, academia, and international organizations.
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