Officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) livestock agencies led by Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. Constante Palabrica, along with Informa Markets Country General Manager in the Philippines Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, presented current trends and key issues in the country’s animal industry as a precursor to the upcoming Livestock and Aquaculture Philippines 2025.

In a press conference held at the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall on May 14, Usec. Palabrica primarily addressed the Department’s solutions to declining hog inventories and surging pork prices in local markets following the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.

The Department’s intensified hog repopulation scheme, he further elaborated, includes the distribution of swine breeders, coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the conduct of trials and pending accreditation of ASF vaccines, forging of partnerships with the private sector within and outside the country to secure pig and pork supplies to meet market demands, establishment of stock farms, and the implementation of the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on pork.

“We will buy 30,000 breeders next year in order to reach the target of 1,000,000. But this takes time. I was tasked by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. that by 2028, we should have enough pigs [equivalent to that of] pre-ASF,” Usec. Palabrica shared.

The Undersecretary also highlighted some of the recent endeavors of the DA Livestock Group, which includes the NLP’s ongoing efforts to establish a P151-million vaccine-producing laboratory in Nueva Ecija, the BAI’s trials for the ASF and other animal vaccine brands, the NMIS’ successful conduct of regular meat inspections, the PCC’s innovative technologies and facilities for producing enhanced carabao breeds, and the NDA’s latest recognition as the second best performing attached corporation during the Department’s Performance Appreciation System Awarding Ceremony last April.

DA Assistant Secretary for Ruminant Livestock Dr. Benjamin Albarece, Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Michael Garcia, NLP Director Dr. Claro Mingala, BAI OIC-Director Dr. Christian Daquigan, NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius Andaya, NMIS OIC-Executive Director Roberto Umali, and PCC Research and Development Division Chief Dr. Eric Palacpac also graced the press conference in support of the collaborative event.

For the fourth consecutive year, the DA—through the Office of the Undersecretary for Livestock (OUSL) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)—collaborates with international events organizer Informa Markets in conducting the Livestock and Aquaculture Philippines—a trade show and exhibition for the livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and feeds industries.

This year’s exposition will take place at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City from June 25 to 27, 2025 and will center on the theme, “Empowering agri-fisheries through modern technology and innovation.”

“The theme is about creating, enhancing the competitiveness of Filipino farmers who are focused on livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and feeds. The event will showcase the innovation and technology that can create productivity and efficiency so that we can be self-sufficient and achieve food security,” Chitanuwat said.

Under his Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the boosting of local production to achieve a bankable agri-fisheries sector and a food-secure, resilient Philippines. This was further supported by Secretary Tiu Laurel, whose Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas campaign involves a modernized Philippine agriculture where benefits are spread across the entire value chain.

The Philippine agriculture department is set to join the 250-strong exhibitors, promoting its programs and services and accommodating queries and concerns of around 10,000 expected visitors at the designated DA and Aquaculture Pavilions.

Experts from the DA livestock and fisheries agencies will also serve as resource persons during seminars, conferences, and roundtable discussions throughout the three-day event.

The partnership also called for a collaboration between DA and Informa Markets in honoring the outstanding farmers, fisherfolks, and farmers’ cooperatives and associations whose remarkable achievements played a vital role to the success of the Philippine livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries at the 3rd Livestock and Aquaculture Philippines Recognition, to be held during the last day of the expo.