MANILA – The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill which sought to enhance the animal industry development and competitiveness, strengthen the Bureau of Animal Industry, and create an Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

Voting 196-3-0, House lawmakers passed House Bill No. 11355 or the proposed Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act.

Under the measure, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will be expanded and reclassified into a line agency under the Department of Agriculture. It will have regional and provincial offices.

“The BAI shall have an office for developmental functions, within which the National Livestock Program and its functions shall be absorbed. The National Meat Inspection Service is hereby reorganized and strengthened to be the core regulatory office of the BAI,” the proposed measure read.

“The BAI, in consultation with the LGUs and stakeholders, may issue administrative orders or regulations for the conservation, preservation, management and sustainable development of the animal industry,” it added.

“As far as practicable, all regulations on the sectors of the animal industry shall be harmonized and consolidated into Codes of Regulation for livestock, poultry, dairy, and other major animal industry sectors.”

Aside from this, the proposed law will create an Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund which would have an annual appropriation of P20 billion.

Based on the bill, if tariff collection from livestock, poultry, and dairy products exceeds P20 billion in any year within 10 years following the law’s effectivity, the excess tariff revenue should be earmarked and allocated towards financial support programs for farmers.

Gabriela Women's Party List Representative Arlene Brosas explained why she was against the bill.

“Hindi ito nakabalangkas sa pagkakaroon ng food self-sufficiency at food self-reliance ng bansa. Sa halip, magpapapasok pa ito ng imported livestock at poultry products na lubhang makakaapekto sa sektor ng agrikultura,” said Brosas.

Brosas said while the bill sought to establish an Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, the tariff collection might encourage livestock and poultry imports just to reach the target tariffs.

“Maaaring magkaroon nanaman ng pagbaha ng imported na livestock at poultry sa ating bansa. Kapag may excess tariff revenues sa P20 billion, tsaka pa lang makakakuha ng direct financial support programs ang nasa animal industry sector. Parang tulad ng sa Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund sa ilalim ng Rice Liberalization Law na hindi naman napakinabangan ng ating magsasaka,” she said.

Under the said competitiveness enhancement fund, the lawmaker noted that there is no percentage for the full compensation and indemnification to those hit by the African swine flu, bird flu, and other animal illnesses.

She also raised concerns on the restructuring of BAI, which might lead to government employees losing their jobs.

“Ang panukalang batas na ito ay maaaring magbigay daan sa pagpasok ng sobra-sobrang imported livestock at poultry products na sa huli ay magpapahirap sa local animal industry sector ng Pilipinas kaya bumoboto ng no ang Gabriela Women’s Party,” she said.