Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRES
Second Regular Session

HoUSE BILL No.8416

Introduced by Representative CONRADO M. ESTRELLA III

AN ACT STRENGTHENING ANIMAL HEALTH AND VETERINARY SERVICES
IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Explanatory Note

The protection of life, liberty and property and the promotionof the
general welfare are fundamental principles undergirding our democratic system
of government. To achieve these ends, the State is duty-bound to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people and
to undertake appropriate health manpower development and research
responsive to the country’s health needs and problems.

Animals raised for food and for other food products produced
domestically or imported from abroad constitute a substantial source of our
people’s food supply. Ensuring animal health and the ready availability and
accessibility of efficient, competent and effective veterinary services that secure,
enhance and sustain animal health,and the safety of food products from
animals, are imperative toward achieving food security, public health and
public safety today and in the future.

The spate of animal disease epidemics such as the deadly swine flu here
and abroad adversely affected the livelihood of many in the animal industry
and the whole agricultural sector of the economy. These epidemics also
endangered public health and safety with the vulnerability of the market to
infected meat and other food products that are produced in the country and
imported from various foreign countries because of unreliable and weak


production and import regulatory regimes, monitoring systems, procedures and
rules.

Strengthening the country’s capability to quickly respond to address
animal disease epidemics as well as that of sustaining a comprehensive
national program including a regulatory regime to ensure animal health and
the availability and accessibility of competent animal health and veterinary
services nationwide is, therefore, imperative.

We need to focus on improving our animal health and veterinary
services, the regulatory frameworks, as well as the systems and processes to
deliver these services for the benefit of our people.

Thus, this bill puts forth as state policy the promotion of animal health,
the strengthening and enhancement of veterinary services and systems, and
recognition of the importance of animal health and veterinary services s public
good and as vehicles for achieving public safety and welfare.

Towards the realization of this policy, this bill seeks toestablish a
competent national authority for animal health and veterinary services, ensure
efficient delivery of sanitary measures, encourage the active participation of
various veterinary service providers and animal industry practitioners in
instituting stronger safety regulatory safeguards and sustained food security,
continuing improvement of public health and enhancement of the animal
industry’s global trade competitiveness.

Under the premises, immediate passage of this bill is imperative.

REP. Cl M. ESTRELLA Ill
Depiity Speaker


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8416

Introduced by Representative CONRADO M. ESTRELLA HI

AN ACT STRENGTHENING ANIMAL HEALTH AND VETERINARY SERVICES IN
‘THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress Assembled:

Chapter I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Animal Health and Vetrinary
Services Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It shall be the policy of the State to promote and
protect animal health, strengthen and enhance veterinary services and systems, and recognize the
importance of animal health and veterinary services as public good. Toward these ends,the State
shall establish a competent national authority for animal health and veterinary services, ensure
efficient delivery of sanitary measures, encourage the participation of various veterinary service
providers and animal industry practitioners in ensuring the attainment of stronger safeguards and
sustained. food security for the country's animal population, continuing improvement of public
health and environment, and enhancement of global trade competitiveness.

SECTION 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all programs, activities and undertakings
of persons, natural and juridical, including corporations, associations, organizations, farmers, and
private or government entities that, directly or indirectly, deal with animal health and related
matters such as, but not limited to:

1. Animal and zoonotic disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention, control and
eradication;

2, Early detection systems and compulsory reporting of important animal diseases and
zoonoses;

3. Regulation and monitoring of (a) animals, animal products and by-products and animal
production practices (b) animal facilities, premises, equipment, means of transportation and other
inanimate objects in contact with animals and/or animal products (c) animal feeds, feed


ingredients, supplements and additives, (@) veterinary drugs/products, veterinary biological and

5. Use of veterinary drugs, veterinary biologicals and diagnostic reagents in animals.

SECTION 4. Objectives. The State shall endeavor to achieve the following objectives:

|. Protect human and environmental health from hazards caused by animal diseases and.

zoonoses;
Establish a modem and responsive veterinary services;

. Formulate, promote, enforce, implement rules, policies and programs for the promotion of

animal health with the One Health Approach;

}. Institutionalize national and local inter-agency, multi-sectoral cooperation on animal health

and veterinary services programs;
Ensure animal production food safety and security; and

. Promote compliance with and harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures

and other veterinary protocols with intemational standards.

SECTION 5. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms and phrases

shall mean as follows:

1

nos

Accreditation — the formal recognition by ‘an independent and competent body, generally
known as an accreditation body. Accreditation is not obligatory but it adds another level
of confidence, as being “accredited” means that the certification has been issued after a
process of independent checking to make sure the accredited entity operates according to
international standards.

. Animal - vertebrate and invertebrate species whether domestic or wild (exotic or

indigenous) which may be food producing, companion, aquatic, or laboratory including
birds, worms, bees and butterflies. The term excludes human and aquatic mammals.

|. Animal Effects - litter or manure, hay, fodder or the like, used as blankets, chains,

harnesses, ropes, buckets, boxes or crates and the like, used by animals.

|. Animal Facility — permanent or temporary structures or premises generally used for

purposes of caring, breeding, rearing, holding, gaming, training, trading, transporting,
treating, testing and exhibiting animals, such as but not limited to farms, zoos, aviaries,
apiaries, kennels, racetracks, cockpits, pet shops, pounds, animal rescue centers, airport
and seaport quarantine stations, animal holding facilities including those found in ports,
railways and bus stations, stables, livestock auction markets, slaughterhouses, veterinary
clinics, veterinary hospitals, and other similar facilities.

;. Animal Feeds - mixture or combination of feed ingredients, supplements and additives, in

any form, by specific formula to be fed directly as sole rations to animals which are capable
of furnishing the nutritional needs or requirements of animals in order to maintain life,
promote growth, production and reproduction without any additional substance except
water. This includes commercial, non-commercial and on-farm feeds.

Animal Health - the over-all physical condition and well-being of animal(s).

. Animal Health Technician — a properly trained person who is authorized to carry out

designated tasks related to veterinary medicine under the immediate supervision of a


veterinarian.

8. Animal Identification - the combination of the identification and registration of an animal
individually, with a unique identifier, or collectively by its epidemiological unit or group,
with a unique group identifier.

9. Animal Identification System - the inclusion and linking of components. such as
identification of establishments, owners, person or persons responsible for the animal(s),
animal movements and other records with an animal identification.

10, Animal Industry — any activity relating to the production, breeding, caring, rearing,
holding, trading, transporting and use of animals; animal processing; and manufacturing,
trading and marketing of animal production inputs such as, but not limited to feeds,
veterinary drugs and biologicals.

11. Animal Production Food Safety - measures taken in farms and production areas to
safeguard the health of the consuming public and ensure that the food derived therefrom is
safe and of sufficient quantity or supply. This includes measures taken to regulate and
control the introduction of non-food animals to the food chain.

12. Animal Products and By-Products - any meat, fat, milk whey, cream, butter, cheese, egg
or other food or foodstufis derived from an animal; or any part of the viscera of an animal,
hide, skin, hair, wool, feathers, shell, hom or hoof; or any article or substance derived from
dung, urine, feces, bone, or blood of an animal; or any secretion of an animal or any product
or biological preparation made or derived from any animal tissue or animal secretion; or
any article or substance derived from an animal such as semen, whether or not in
combination with any article or substance; or any article or substance or thing that is
declared by order to be an animal product for the purposes of this Act.

13. Capacity building —defined as the development and strengthening of human and
institutional resources of public and private sectors including non-government
organizations.

14. Capacity development — comprehensive and sustainable process whereby people,
organizations and society strengthen, create, adapt and maintain capacity over time.

15. Certification -the procedures by which official certification bodies or officially recognized
certification bodies provide written or equivalent assurance that an establishment/entity
conforms to requirements set by Bureau of Animal Industry.

16. Chief Veterinary Officer - a veterinarian who has the responsibility and competence of
ensuring and supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures,
international veterinary certification and other standards and guidelines in the Terrestrial
Animal Health Code of the World Organization for Animal Health or Organization
International des Epizooties (OIE) in the entire country.

17. Communicable Animal Diseases - diseases which are transmissible from one animal to
another.

18. Competent Authority - the veterinary authority or other governmental agency of a country
having the responsibility and competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation
of animal health and welfare measures, international veterinary certification and other
standards and recommendations in the OIE Trrestrial Animal Health Code and in the OIE

Page 3 of 23


Ox Aw BUN

Aquatic Animal Health Code in the whole territory.

19. Confiscation — the taking into custody of animals, animal parts and products, and animal
effects for having been the subject of any violation of rules and regulations or for posing
risks to general human and animal welfare by a competent authority for its proper disposal.

20. Disease - the impairment of the normal state of living animals showing sub-clinical,
clinical and pathological manifestations with infectious and non-infectious conditions.

21, Domestic movement - the transfer/transport of animals, animal product, by-products and
effects within the country.

22, Karly detection system - a system for the timely detection and identification of animal and
zoonotic diseases which includes the following characteristics, namely; (a) representative
coverage of target animal populations by veterinary field services; (b) ability to undertake
effective disease investigation and reporting; (c) access to laboratories capable of
diagnosing and differentiating relevant diseases; and (d) training program for veterinarians
and animal health technicians for detecting and reporting unusual disease occurrence.

23, Emerging Disease - a new infection resulting from the evolution or change of an existing
pathogenic agent, a known infection spreading to a new geographic area ot population, or
a previously unrecognizable pathogenic agent or disease diagnosed for the first time and
which has a significant impact on animal or public health.

24, Epidemiology - the science concerned with the study of factors determining and
influencing the frequency and distribution of disease, injury and other health-related events
and their causes in a defined population.

25. Eradication — the elimination of a pathogenic agent or disease from the country or
zonelarea/region.

26. Establishment - entities engaged in the manufacture, production, preparation, handling,
importation, exportation, sale, storage, offer for sale, distribution, transfer, use, testing,
promotion, advertising or sponsorship of animals, animal products and by-products,
veterinary drugs or products and veterinary biological products, animal feeds and feed
ingredients, veterinary cosmetics, and veterinary devices.

27. Exportation - the transportation of commodities such as live animals, animal products,
animal by-products, animal effects, animal feeds, veterinary drugs/products and veterinary
biological products from the Philippines to another country.

28, Exotic Animal Diseases - any disease known to exist in foreign countries which is likely
to be introduced in the country through importation of animals, animal products, animal
by-products or animal effects, animal feeds, veterinary drugs/products and veterinary
biological products.

29, Fake Veterinary Drags — counterfeit, falsified, unregistered veterinary drugs/products, as
well as unapproved parallel imports, compounded pharmaceuticals and illegal autogenous
vaccines.

30. Feed Ingredients - all articles, in any form, that are added or mixed into the composition
or which are used as raw materials in the formulation of a feed or ration, base feed, base
mix, concentrate, feed supplement, feed additive, specialty feed and/or special feed

Page 4 of 23



preparation purporting to supply additional nutrients, such as but not limited to, proteins,
carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, growth promoting factors. and/or correcting
nutritional disorders.

31. First Border Inspection — assessment and verification done on incoming animals, animal
products and by-products, animal effects, animal feeds veterinary drugs and products, and
veterinary biological products at international ports of entry by veterinary quarantine
officers.

32. Hazard - a biological, chemical or physical agent, or a condition of an animal or animal
product with the potential to cause an adverse health effect.

33. Jmportation- the bringing into the country of commodities such as live animals, animal
products, animal by-products, animal effects, animal feeds, veterinary drugs/products and
Veterinary biological products from foreign countries.

34. Indemnification - the payment for any loss of animals or damage to its by-products in
accordance with the guidelines established by the Veterinary Authority.

35. Livestock - food animals including poultry.

36. Networking — the act of making contact and exchanging information with other people,
groups and institutions to develop mutually beneficial relationships, or to access andshare
information between or among computers.

37. Notifiable Disease - disease listed by the Veterinary Authority, and that, as soon as
detected or suspected, must be brought to the attention of the Veterinary Authority, in
accordance with national regulations.

38. Notification - the procedure by which the Local Veterinary Authority informs the National
Veterinary Authority, of the occurrence of an outbreak of disease or infection.

39. OLE (Offfice Internationale des Epizooties) or the World Organization for Animal Health
~ the intergovernmental organization responsible for improving animal health and
veterinary services and is recongnized as a reference organization by the World Trade
Organization (WTO).

40. Pre-border Inspection — assessment of animal health inspection and biosecurity system of
exporting countries prior to authorization of export.

41. Poultry — chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, gamefowls, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons,
pheasants, partridges, and rafites reared or kept in captivity for breeding, production of
‘meat or eggs for consumption or for re-stocking supplies of game.

42. Quarantine - the act of isolating animals from other animals to ensure no direct or indirect
contact with other animals so as to prevent the transmission of specified pathogens) while
the animals are undergoing observation, and, if appropriate, testing and treatment, for a
specified length of time and to determine their freedom from disease.

43. Quarantine Station - a facility under the control of the veterinary service authority where
animals are maintained in isolation with no direct contact or indirect contact with other
animals, to ensure that there is no transmission of specified pathogen/s outside the
establishment while the animals are undergoing observation for a specified length of time

Page 5 of 23,


and, if appropriate, testing and treatment.

44. Risk Analysis - the whole process of determining the hazards, the likelihood of the
hazards to occur, and how grave any occurrence would be. The process consists of the
following steps, namely, planning, hazard identification, isk assessment, risk
management, and risk communication.

45. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) ~ measures applied (a) to protect human or
animal life ftom risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-causing
organisms in their food; (b) to protect human life from plant-or animal-carried diseases;
(©) to protect animal or plant life from pests, diseases, or disease-causing organisms; and
(@ to prevent or limit other damage to a country from the entry, establishment or spread
of pests. This also includes SPS measures taken to protect the health of fish and wild fauna,
as well as of forests and wild flora.

46. Second Border Inspection — activities done by a competent authorities such as the BAT ,
NMIS and BFAR at authorized facilities such as cold storages and quarantine areas where
thorough and final inspection of animals , meat and fish products are carried out.

41. Shipping Permit - the document issued by the BAI authorizing the person indicated therein
to ship or transport the stated commodity to their indicated destination(s).

48. Swill - kitchen refuse and scraps of waste food mixed with water for feeding to pigs.

9. Traceability - a tool for controlling disease in animals and food safety, and it involves the
ability to follow or monitor any link between animal health, food safety and the
organoleptic characteristics of food to its origin.

50. Transhipment - the shipment of goods or containers to an intermediate destination, and
from there, to yet another destination.

51. Vaccination - the successful immunization of susceptible animals through the
administration of appropriate immunizing agents comprising of antigens or bacterins or
any agent appropriate to the disease to be controlled.

52. Veterinarian - a person who has been registered and issued a valid certificate of
registration and professional identification card by the Professional Regulatory
Commission Board of Veterinary Medicine of the Philippines.

53, Veterinary Authority - the government authority, comprising of duly licensed veterinarians
and allied professionals, having the responsibility and competence of administering and
supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, international
veterinary certification and other standards and guidelines in the Terrestrial Code of the
OE.

54, Veterinary Biological Products - all components of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria,
fungi, protozoa, etc.) or products of microorganisms, antigens, antisera, bacterins,
immunoglobulins and analogous products of natural or of synthetic origin, including
genetically modified organisms, diagnostic kits and reagents, serums, toxins and antitoxins
intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of animal diseases and for
veterinary research purposes.

55. Veterinary Cosmetics - any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with
Page 6 of 23


the various extemal parts of the animal body or with the teeth, mucous membranes of the
oral cavity, with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, grooming them, changing
their appearance and/or correcting the body odor, and/or protecting the body or keeping
the same in good condition.

56. Veterinary Devices - any instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, appliance or
contrivance, including their components, parts and accessories intended for use in the
diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment and prevention of animal diseases or to affect the
structure or any function of the body or animals.

57. Veterinary Drugs - articles for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or
prevention of diseases of animals.

58. Veterinary Health Certificate- the document issued by the Veterinary Quarantine Service
Officers specifying among others therein that the animals, animal products and by-products
or animal effects intended for international or domestic transport are free from any
communicable animal diseases or are not carriers thereof.

59. Veterinary Products — collectively refer to veterinary biologicals, veterinary
drugs/products, veterinary devices, and veterinary cosmetics as defined herein and to other
substances applied to animal facilities such as but not limited to disinfectants, insecticides,
and substances that modify or extend physiological functions, behaviors or availability
such as but not limited to hormones, growth promotants, stimulants, enhancers, probiotics
and acidifiers.

60. Veterinary Officer - a duly-licensed veterinarian employed or deputized by the Director of
the BAI specifically tasked to investigate, diagnose and control animal diseases, including
the performance of such duties and functions provided in this Act and other laws.
Veterinary Services - the activities in the implementation of animal health, welfare, feed
control and animal production food safety by government and non-government
organizations.
62. Zone - a part of a country defined by the Veterinary Authority, containing an animal
population or subpopulation with a specific animal health status with respect to an infection
r infestation for the purposes of international trade or disease prevention or control.

61.

Chapter I
STRUCTURE, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE
BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUASTRY (BAD)
SECTION 6. Organizational Structure ~The technical, administrative, finance and

support services of the BAI shall be strengthened as may be necessary to effectively carry out the
provisions of this Act.

SECTION 7. Powers and Functions - The BAI shall have the following principal powers:
1. Regulatory Powers and Functions - The BAI shall assume full control and direction of
the conduct of animal disease surveillance, early disease detection and epidemiological -
investigation and disease diagnosis, prevention,control and eradication; and shall be the
sole national controlling authority to regulate animal health, animal welfare, animal

Page 7 of 23


CONAN N—

production food safety and matters connected with or pertaining to, but not limited to,
general sanitary measures, risk analysis, animal quarantine and inspection, animal feeds
and feed ingredients, veterinary drugs and products, veterinary biological products, and
other pharmaceuticals and products used on animals and the environment, animal facilities,
equipment, veterinary devices and veterinary cosmetics, veterinary research, animal
production and international certification procedures. The BAI, in coordination with the
competent authority on meat and meat products inspection, shall also be responsible for
the regulation of importation and transport or movement of all meat products, including
processed meat products.

Technical Assistance and Supervision over Veterinary Offices and Veterinary Related
Functions of ail National Government Agencies and Local Government Units —The BAL
shall provide training for capacity building and strengthening of livestock and veterinary
services related functions of all national government agencies and Local Government Units
(LGUs). It shall exercise technical supervision over veterinary offices and veterinary
related functions of all national government agencies and LGUs. This includes oversight
authority to require mandatory notification and coordination, submission of reports and
other pertinent data regarding animal disease situations ‘within the respective areas or
Jurisdictions of other government agencies and local government units.

. Emergency Preparedness and Response — The BAI shall lead and direct the investigation

and management of outbreaks of dangerous communicable and zoonotic animal diseases,
where the animal and/or human health status of the country is in actual or imminent danger,
and the economic status and food security of the country are threatened. The BAI shail
make the proper coordination with the concerned LGUs and regional officials on its
activities.

Visitorial Power — The BAI, through its duly authorized personnel, upon presenting
appropriate credentials or authority to.the owner, manager, or any person-in-charge, shall
have the power to enter and inspect the premises of livestock and poultry farms and other
animal establishments, conduct collection of laboratory specimens and samples, and when
required by circumstances, and as authorized by the Director, impose preventive and
control measures therein, in coordination with concemed owners and caretakers.

. Declaration of Quarantine - The BAI Director or his authorized representative through a

written order of quarantine shall cause the immediate seizure, holding or detention for such
period, as warranted, for observation and mandatory testing of animals, animal parts,
products, and by-products, animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplements and feed
additives, veterinary biologicals, veterinary drugs and products, and veterinary devices,
and such other materials or substances which are suspected or deemed to be affected with
or carriers of dangerous animal diseases, or found to be undocumented, or of unknown
source and condition, and posing an imminent danger, threat and injury to the overall
animal health situation in the country.

|. Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Use (AMU).

The BAI shall establish and strengthen its capability to manage AMR and AMU and
undertake surveillance and control of the development and spread of antimicrobial resistant
pathogens in animal production and in the food chain using the One Health approach.

Confiscation and Disposal —‘The BAI Director ot his authorized representative, through
appropriate destruction order, shall have the authority to immediately confiscate and

Page 8 of 23


dispose of animals, animal parts, products, and by-products, animal feeds, feed ingredients,
feed supplemenis/additives, veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs/products,
veterinary devices, other potential vectors of animal diseases and such other materials or
substances that are declared prohibited or banned; or showing signs and symptoms of
dangerous animal diseases; ot, in case of animal feeds, veterinary drugs/products,
biological and other materials or substances, tested positive for adulteration, or
contamination with toxic chemicals or substances.

Articles or items that are undocumented, or of unknown source and conditions, not covered
in the preceding paragraph which the possessor, owner, consignee or importer, as the case
maybe, failed to substantiate through submission of requisite documents, or establish the
origin thereof and its compliance with pertinent regulations within seventy-two (72) hours
from quarantine shall, likewise, be subject to confiscation and appropriate disposal.

8. Call for Assistance - The BAI Director may call upon any government agency for any form
of assistance consistent with its powers, duties, and responsibilities for the purpose of
ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of this Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated hereunder.

9. Authority to Deputize — The BAI Director shall have the authority to deputize government
and private veterinarians to perform disease control functions, administer measures to
address any animal health concems, and for such other functions for the proper
implementation of national disease control policies and programs at all levels.

Chapter 1
PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL STAFFING OF VETERINARY SERVICES

SECTION 8. Chief Veterinary Officer. The Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry,
who must be a duly licensed veterinarian, shall be the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of the
country. He shall be ptimarily responsible for the formulation and administrationof the
implementation of national policies, strategies, priorities and action plans on animal health, animal
welfare and animal production food safety. He shall also represent the country in official
international dialogues on animal health matters.

‘The CVO shall coordinate and establish linkages with allied government agencies, the
private sector, and the academe in the: implementation of plans and programs in animal disease
prevention, control and eradication, to ensure prompt mobilization of all essential personnel and
resources in the event of animal disease emergencies,

The CVO shall address current, recurring, new and prospective national issues and
concems on animal health, animal welfare, safe animal feeds and animal food production safety
and security, with regional and global impact through the help of other allied government agencies
and stakeholders.

SECTION 9. Veterinary Officers (VOs) and Animal Health Technicians (AHTs) — With
the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the BAI Director shall
appoint veterinarians and other personnel as Veterinary Officers (VOs) and Animal Health
Technicians (AHTs). He may deputize other personnel in regional offices and local government
units as VOs and AHTs. He shall prescribe the duties and responsibilities of the VOs and AHTs.

Page 9 of 23


Inthe interest of the service, the VOs and AHTs shall be entitled to incentives, overtime
fees and reimbursement of expenses for services rendered outside of office hours which shall be
chargeable to the parties served, at the rates to be prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture upon
the recommendation of the BAI Director.

SECTION 10. Veterinarians — All government agencies and private entities performing
veterinary and related firnctions shall cooperate fully with the BAI Director as CVO and comply
-with the policies and technical standards for veterinary services and practices set by the BAI and
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

SECTION 11. Magna Carta for Public Health Workers And Magna Carta for Scientists,
Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology Personnel in Government - VOs,
AHTs, and other veterinarians employed or deputized by the BAI, including their administrative
and support personnel directly exposed to veterinary public health related activities shall be
entitled to additional compensations, and other benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7305,
also known as the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers and Republic Act No. 8439, also
known as the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and
Technology Personnel in Government.

Chapter IV
ADVISORY COMMITTEES

SECTION 12. -National and Regional Advisory Committees for Animal Diseases and
Emergency - The existing National and Regional Advisory Committees on Animal Disease
Control and Emergency (NAC-ADCE/RAC-ADCE), are hereby renamed as the National
Veterinary Advisory Committee (NVAC) and Regional Veterinary Advisory Committees
(RVAC) tasked to provide advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on matters relating to animal
diseases and emergencies..

‘The Chairperson of the NVAC shall be a duly licensed veterinarian of good standing,
competence and probity in the veterinary profession. He shall be designated as such by the
Secretary of Agriculture.

‘The manner of designating the members of the committee and sub-committees shall be
prescribed and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture upon recommendation of the BAI
Director. The composition of the committee shall be updated from time to time as may be
necessary.

SECTION 13. Duties and Functions. - The NVAC and RVAC shall be directly
responsible to the Secretary of Agriculture and shall perform the following duties and functions:

1. Provide advice and recommendations to the DA Secretary on the following issues and
concerns:

a. Prevention, control, eradication and monitoring of economically harmful
animal diseases including those transmissible to humans.

b. Procedures to be followed in times of emergencies e.g nationwide epidemic of
food animal diseases and during disasters, man-made and natural.

c. Verification of reports of emerging animal diseases. Assist in the dissemination
of information in all aspects of animal diseases.

2. Create special working committees to address special issues and concern of the
Page 10 of 23


© eYAMEW NE

Department through the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection
Service.

SECTION 14. Other Advisory Committees — Other Advisory Committees may be created
to assist the DA Secretary and the BAI in the implementation of various programs and projects.
Alll advisory committees shall be administratively and financially supported by the BAL.

Chapter V
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REGIONAL OFFICES AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT VETERINARY OFFICES

SECTION 15. Regional and LGU Assistance and Cooperation “The DA Regional Field
Offices (RFOs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) shall assist, coordinate with, and closely
cooperate with the BAI in the implementation of the provisions of this Act. They shall extend any
available manpower, security, material and financial resources for the implementation of national
animal disease prevention and control measures, animal welfare and other rlated national programs
being undertaken by the BAI within their respective jurisdictions.

SECTION 16. Creation of Veterinary Positions — All provincial, city and municipal
governments shall create the position of provincial, city and municipal veterinarian respectively.

SECTION 17. Responsibilities of Regional, Provincial, City and Municipal
Veterinarians - In addition to the duties of the regional veterinary officers and duties of LGU
veterinarians as provided in Section 489 of Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the “Local
Government Code of 1991” and in all other relevant laws, they shall also perform the following:

1. Ensure the implementation of policies, rules and regulations issued by the BAI and other
concerned agencies in accordance with the provisions of this Act and its related laws,
rules and regulations, towards the enforcement of animal disease prevention, control
measures and regulations.

2. Extend assistance, as may be necessary, to the BAI and other concemed agencies in the
implementation or enft it of animal disease prevention and control measures
within their area of responsi

3. Comply with all reportorial and documentary requirements needed by the BAI and other
concerned agencies in the implementation of this Act.

4. Establish database for animal facilities and establishments in their jurisdiction as defined
under this act.

5. Link with national technical networks and administrative networks and comply with
respective standards in the practice of veterinary medicine.

SECTION 18. Issuance of Mayor’s Permit — 1.GUs shall issue required permits to
operate any farm, clinic, animal facility, kennel or any other veterinary establishment only to
owners and operators thereof who have secured the required clearance from the provincial, city
or municipal veterinarian that attest to the compliance of the establishment with all the
requirements prescribed under national laws, rules and regulations.

Page 11 of 23,



Chapter VI
ROLE OF ALLIED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

SECTION 19. Allied Government Agencies — The BAI Director as the CVOmay call
upon allied government agencies and the academe in the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 20. Other Agencies and Sectors — The BAI may enter into agreements with
other entities in the government and private sectors, academe and other relevant agencies such as,
but not limited to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of
Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of
Trade and Industry (DT!) and Department of National Defense (DND) and relevant stakeholders
in the implementation of plans and programs in animal disease prevention, control and eradication,
and to ensure prompt mobilization of all essential personnel and resources in the event of animal
disease emergencies.

Chapter VIL
ANIMAL HEALTH AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION FOOD SAFETY

SECTION 21. Duty to Report Notifiable Diseases — The BAI Director shall issue the list
of Notifiable Animal Diseases. This list shall be updated at least annually.

All animal and livestock producers, owners, operators, farm managers, farm veterinarians,
animal facility operators and farm consultants who have in their possession or care, animals or
animal products infected or suspected to be infected, or have reasonable grounds to believe that
‘the animal or animal product is infected with a Notifiable Disease are duty bound to report to the
concerned Local Government Unit Veterinary Office or to the BAI and DA RFO immediately or
within 24 hours by the quickest means possible.

SECTION 22. Proper Disposal of Potentially Infective Materials — Dead animals,
manure and other potentially infective materials from regular operations of farms, clinics, animal
facilitiesshall be disposed in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations and other
specific guidelines set by BAI.

SECTION 23. Animal Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology — All agencies and
entities performing veterinary services shall be responsible for monitoring animal disease situation
by conducting regular surveillance of the animal and livestock population in their respective
jurisdictions and shall report to the BAI as provided in Chapter VII of this act.

SECTION 24. National Registry and Traceability of Livestock — A national registry of
animal facilities and establishments and a traceability system shall be established by the BAI.
‘These include the development of appropriate unique animal identification system and farm
classification system in consultation with livestock stakeholders and in accordance with accepted
standards and parameters.

SECTION 25. Mandatory Vaccination — The BAI shall issue a list of disease requiring
mandatory vaccination to prevent, control, and eradicate emerging or re-emerging, communicable
and exotic diseases. All animals shall have to be vaccinated in accordance with the guidelines
issued by the BAL In case of refusal to vaccinate by concerned owners or managers of relevant

Page 12 of 23.


establishments despite due notice, the BAI is authorized to require the LGU concemed to revoke
the Mayor’s and Business Permits issued for the operation of the establishments.

SECTION 26, Emergency Preparedness — The BAI shall draft the National Emergency
Preparedness and Disaster Plans in response to animal health and animal production food safety
issues. Measures shall be developed consistent with the one health approach and shall br regularly
tested through simulation exercises.

SECTION 27. Animal Health Information System —The BAI shall strengthen the animal
health information system involving other agencies and stakeholders on animal health through the
establishment of an effective information network. The database on animal facilities and
establishments shall be established by the LGUs and shall be integrated into the Philippines
Animal Health Information System (Phil-AHIS).

SECTION 28. Risk Analysis — Principles of risk analysis shall be incorporated in all
policy formulation and standard setting such as risk-based declaration of animal diseases, but not
limited to, the importation of animals, animal products, by-products, veterinary biological
products, animal feeds and animal effects.

SECTION 29. Veterinary Public Health - The BAI shall take the lead role in the
formulation and implementation of veterinary public health programs and activities ‘particularly in
the prevention and control of zoonoses and animal production food safety.

SECTION 30. Prohibition of Swill Feeding - Feeding of left over food or swill is
prohibited since it is considered potentially infective material. The DENR together with concemed
government agencies shall undertake initiatives to transform swill into safe material for animal
feeding and other uses.

It shall be the duty of the LGUs to monitor the disposal of swill in their localities in
accordance with the guidelines set by the BAT.

SECTION 31. Mandatory Engagement of the Professional Services of Veterinarians —
Alll animal facilities and establishments such as, but not limited to, farms, zoos, kennels, apiaries,
aviaries, livestock markets, animal race tracks and cockpits, shall engage the professional services
of a veterinarian based on a minimum number of animals and other parameters to be prescribed
by the BAI in consultation with concemed sectors.

SECTION 32. Farm Inspection and Certification — The BAI, in consultation with
stakeholders, shall establish standards and parameters on farm inspection and certification.

CHAPTER VIII
QUARANTINE MEASURES, FACILITIES, AND BORDER SECURITY

The BAI shall upgrade the veterinary quarantine system in order to prevent the entry of
animal diseases and other hazards into the country. This shall include modernizing and upgrading
the quarantine stations to facilitate the inspection of animals, animal products, animal by-products,
animal feeds and feed ingredients, veterinary drugs and products, veterinary biologicals, veterinary
cosmetics and veterinary devices, through the construction of first and second border facilities,
and designated cold examination areas at ports, checkpoints, installing disinfection systems and
proper disposal facilities and procedures for condemned items as listed in this paragraph.

Page 13 of 23


SECTION 33. Import Border Control - The BAI shall institute measures to protect the
country’s borders through the implementation of the following: pre-border measures based on risk
analysis, first border measures, second border measures and release from custom zones. The BAT
shall issue periodically a list of prohibited importations from counties known or declared to be
infected with dangerous communicable animal diseases. All kinds of wildlife that are subject to
veterinary quarantine regulations shall be under BAI jurisdiction. All transhipments of live
animals, animal products, animal by-products, animal feeds and feed ingredients, veterinary drugs
and products, veterinary biologicals, veterinary cosmetics and veterinary devices at domestic or
international ports of call shall comply with the animal health and welfare rules and regulations
prescribed by the BAI.

SECTION 34. Export Control -No animals, animal products, animal by-products, animal
feeds and feed ingredients, veterinary drugs/products, veterinary biologicals, veterinary cosmetics
and veterinary devices shall be allowed to be exported and loaded on board ships and airplanes or
any vehicle unless (1) it is accompanied by the prescribed documents and such other documents
as may be required by the competent authority of the country of origin, and (2) it has complied
with the quarantine requirements of the country of destination. The Veterinary Quarantine Office
(¥QO) will issue the clearance for the release of all outgoing vessels or aircrafts.

SECTION 35. Domestic Movement - All inland and inter-island shipments of animals,
animal products, animal by-products, animal feeds, feed ingredients, veterinary drugs and
products, veterinary biologicals, veterinary cosmetics and veterinary devices from one province or
region or island province or region to another shall be accompanied by a. Veterinary Health
Certificate and Shipping Permits duly issued by the BAI or its duly authorized representative, All
agencies/entities managing airports and seaports shall require the owners, agenst or masters of
carriers, or vessels or other means of transport to secure and submit a copy of the clearance from
the Veterinary Officer/Inspector or his deputies assigned thereat as a prerequisite to issuance of
clearance to depart ftom the port. The VQO will issue Clearance for release of all incoming and
‘outgoing domestic vessels or aircraft.

35.1. IMegal or Unauthorized Movement - Shipments of animals, animal products, animal
by-products, animal feeds and feed ingredients, veterinary drugs/products, veterinary biologicals,
veterinary cosmetics and veterinary devices which are found to be in violation of this Act and its
implementing rules and regulations, or orders of the BAI Director or his duly authorized
representative shall be confiscated and disposed of in the manner prescribed by the BAL

35.2. Registration of Commercial Livestock Traders and Shippers - All commercial
livestock traders and shippers or handlers who are engaged in the inter-provincial, inter-regional
and inter-island shipment and transportation of livestock shall register with the BAT in order to
maintain disease free areas and achieve safe, clean and orderly handling of commodities through
the various stages of marketing and distribution.

Section 36. Quarantine Protocols- The BAI shall establish and implement protocols for
the following : Prescribing Standard Operating Procedutes for Veterinary Quarantine Services;
Declaration of Affected Areas; Premises or Zones under Quarantine;Movement in Infected Areas;
Lifting of Order of Quarantine; Duty of Owner or Holder; Controlled Shipments; Depopulation
Order; Destruction Order; Cleaning and Disinfection (CDO) Order; Disease-Free Areas; and
Disposal of Food and Garbage From Vessels or Planes.

Page 14 of 23,


NAURN =

SECTION 37. Expenses of Quarantine and Authority to Dispose—"The owner, consignee
or possessor of the imported animals placed under the 30-day quarantine shall shoulder all
quarantine-related costs such as testing of animals, and shall reimburse the BAI for other incidental
expenses incurred during the quarantine period of such animals. In case of failure to do so after a
Notice of Release of Quarantine has been issued and duly served, the BAI is authorized , after due
notice to the owner, consignee or possessor concemed, to auction off the animals to recover
expenses incurred.

SECTION 38. Non-Liabifity Clause - All charges for insurance, storage, demurrage,
cartage, labor and other incidental expenses relative to the inspection, disinfection and disposition,
and other post border requirements shall be paid by the importer, exporter, shipper or consignee,
as the case may be.

SECTION 39. The Veterinary Quarantine Officer (VQO) - The VQO or any other
authorized personnel of the Veterinary Quarantine Service shall not be held liable for damages to
the live animals, meat products, commodities or any other damages in the course of
implementation of the provisions of this Act, as well as its implementing rules and regulations
except in cases of gross negligence of duty.

SECTION 40. Role of the Bureau of Customs (BOO), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA),
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) &Other Ports ~ The BOC, PPA, CAAP and
other seaport and airport authorities shall coordinate and cooperate with the Veterinary Quarantine
Service in the enforcement of this act and its implementing rules and regulations, fo ensure safe
shipping and transportation, or shipment and transport of animals, animal products, animal by-
products, animal effects, animal feeds, and veterinary drugs/produets and veterinary biologics. °

The CAAP and other airport authorities shall provide, free of charge, appropriate facilities
and adequate space for Veterinary Quarantine Offices in all airports in the country. The PPA and
other seaport authorities shall likewise provide, free of charge, sufficient space for the Veterinary
Quarantine Stations or Offices within all port premises.

Chapter IX
DISEASE COMPENSATION AND ERADICATION TRUST FUND

SECTION 41. Creation of a Disease Compensation and Eradication Trust Fund-
Disease Compensation and Eradication Trust Fund is hereby established and the initial amount or
seed fund of One Bilion Pesos (P 1,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the purpose.
‘herafter, the Fund shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act in such amounts
as may be warranted by existing needs and requirements. The Fund shall be held in a special trust,
account by the Bureau of Treasury to be released to the BAI in accordance with existing rukes and
regulations. The Fund shall not be reduced below One Billion Pesos (1,000,000,000.00) annually
and any unobligated amount remaining after a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund.

SECTION 42. Fund Utilization - The Fund shall be applied for the payment of
compensation to the owner of animals under conditions prescribed by theBAI. It shall also be
utilized for the payment of expenses for activities directly connected with controlling, eradicating
and preventing the spread of any animal disease that is notifiable, emerging or re-emerging, exotic
and zoonotic, including administrative expenses. .

Page 15 of 23


SECTION 43. Coverage of Compensation- Only those owners of animals that were
stamped out pursuant to the Depopulation Order issued by the Director, as recommended by
NVAC and as approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, to prevent further spread of the disease
should be indemnified. Owners of dead animals due to notifiable and emerging or re-emerging,
exotic and zoonotic diseases are not compensable.

SECTION 44. Compensable Amount -The amount of compensation shall not exceed sixty
per cent (60%) of the market value of the animals that are ordered depopulated on account of
disease,

SECTION 45. Issuance of Compensation Guidelines — Guidelines for the payment of
‘compensation shall be prescribed by the BAI in consultation with stakeholders.

Chapter X
VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC AND ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES

SECTION 46. Accreditation — The BAL shall be responsible for regulating both
government and private veterinary testing laboratories. Only results from duly accredited
veterinary diagnosis and analytical testing laboratory facilities shall be recognized for purposes of
diagnosis, analysis and other laboratory services. The BAI shall develop guidelines and standards
in the accreditation of various veterinary laboratory facilities and adopt quality systems towards
international certification.

Section 47. National Veterinary Laboratory System- A National Veterinary Laboratory
‘System that includes among others, diagnostic, analytical and chemical laboratories both public
and private, shall be established to meet all the needs of the Veterinary Services for a sustainable,
effective, safe and efficient implementation of the provisions of this Act. The laboratory system
shall include modem infrastructure, equipment, maintenance and personnel. It shall be regularly
reviewed, audited and updated through national, regional or international proficiency testing and
competency assessment programs. It shall be responsible for gaining access to intemational
reference laboratories or OIE reference laboratories to obtain further confirmatory tests.analysis.

SECTION 48. Biosafety and Biosecurity — Standards and guidelines for laboratory
biosafety and biosecurity shall be established and complied with by veterinary and feed analysis
laboratories based on national and international recommendations.

SECTION 49, Reference Diagnostic Laboratory - The BAI laboratory shall serve as the
national reference laboratory for animal disease diagnosis and analysis. The laboratories shall be
encouraged to join international competency assessment to maintain its capacity asa reference
laboratory.

‘Chapter XI
ANIMAL FEEDS AND VETERINARY DRUGS AND PRODUCTS.

SECTION 50. Controlling Authority — To protect animal and public health in the country,
the BAI is the national controlling authority for veterinary biological products, veterinary
drugs/products, veterinary devices, veterinary cosmetics, mixed animal feeds, feed ingredients,
feed supplements, feed additives, concentrates, base feeds, base mixes, specialty feeds, special
feed nutrient preparations, other feed products and their establishments. The BAI shall prescribe

Page 16 of 23


the necessary rules and regulations on the manufacture, production, importation, exportation,
distribution, handling, storage, sale and use thereof.

SECTION 51. Licensing of animal feeds, veterinary drugs and products, and biologics
establishments - Any entity desiring to engage in the manufacture, production, importation,
exportation, repacking, distribution and sale of veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs
and products, veterinary devices, veterinary cosmetics, mixed animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed
supplements, feed additives, concentrates, base feeds, base mixes, special feeds, special feed
nutrient preparations, and other feed products shall secure a license to operate from the BAL.

SECTION 52. Registration of Products - Each type, brand or kind of veterinary
biological product, veterinary drug and product, veterinary device, veterinary cosmetics,
veterinary cosmetics, mixed animal feed, feed ingredient , feed supplement, feed additive,
concentrate, base feed, base mix, specialty feed, specialty feed nutrient preparation, and other feed
Product, manufactured, imported, distributed, exported or offered for sale shall first be registered
with the BAI.

SECTION 53. Importation of Animal Feeds, Veterinary Biological products, Veterinary
Drugs and Related Products - Importation of veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs and
products, veterinary devices, veterinary cosmetics, mixed animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed
supplements, feed additives, concentrates, base feeds, base mixes, specialty feeds, special feed
nutrient preparations, other feed products without valid SPS and permits duly issued by the BAI
shall not be allowed entry. All in-transit shipments at the time of the occurrence of a foreign
disease or contagion shall be subjected to strict quarantine and laboratory testing, or automatically
denied entry and/or confiscation and disposal, as the BAI may determine, in the overriding
interests of protecting the animal and public health of the country.

SECTION 54. Temporary Revocation and Suspension of License or Permit, and
Stoppage of Production — Failure of any grantee of a license and permit to comply with any of
the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations shall be sufficient ground for
the temporary suspension or revocation of the license or permit issued, stoppage of production and
marketing of products, and the issuance of recall orders for products without prejudice to. the
immediate conduct of formal proceedings against the grantée or licensee.

Chapter XT
CAPACITY BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT

SECTION 55. Capacity Building —The BAI and ATI shall design an appropriate capacity
building program that follows the Day One and advanced competencies prescribed by OIE, The
program shall be implemented across national and local government units to address needs and
issues on animal health. The academe and the private sector shall be encouraged to adopt and
implement the program.

SECTION 56. Capacity development-The government shall ensure that necessary tools
to implement animal health programs and address animal health challenges are developed and
applied. These may include,but not limited to, use of epidemiology assessment tools, laboratory
assessment tools and diagnostic kits, data management and analysis.

Chapter X01
Page 17 of 23.


INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION

SECTION 57. Participation in International Meetings and Workshops on Animal
Health - The veterinary services at central and local unit levels shall ensure that veterinary staff
attend relevant international and national forums, conferences and workshops on animal health to
keep abreast with current developments on animal health,

SECTION 58. Collaboration with Partners to Strengthen Animal Health Capacity ~The
veterinary services at the central and local levels shall ensure that collaboration and cooperation
with international development partners and national development partners involved in
strengthening capacity on animal health are maintained and enhanced.

SECTION 59. Compliance with International Obligations and Standards ~ The
designated competent authority on animal health shall be responsible for supervising the
implementation of animal health and welfare measures, international veterinary certification, and
complying with international implementation standards and reporting obligations.

CHAPTER XIV
PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES

SECTION 60. Failure to Report Notifiable Diseases - All animal producers, owners,
operators, farm managers, farm veterinarians, and farm consultants who have sufficient
knowledge of a notifiable disease and fail to report it to the LGU Veterinary Office or to the BAI
or to the DA- RFO within 24 hours by the quickest means possible shali be fined for the first
offense, the amount of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) and for each succeeding
offense by a fine of not less than Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00), or imprisonment for not
Jess than Thirty (30) days but not more than six (6) months, or both at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 61. Obstruction of Duty — any person who disobeys, evades, obstructs or
hinders the BAI Director or any of the BAI enforcement officers or deputized officers to perform
their duty shall, upon conviction, be penalized with a fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos
(P20,000.00). A repetition of the same offense shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Fifty
Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than
one (1) year, or both at the discretion of the court, and cancellation of the registration, permit or
license of such person, farm or establishment owner, transport operator, whichever is applicable.

SECTION 62. False Statement - A person who knowingly makes any false declaration or
misleading statement in his application for a license, certificate of product registration or permit
shail, upon conviction, be penalized with a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00)
or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months, or both at the
discretion of the court.

SECTION 63. Non-registration of Transport Facilities and Equipments - Failure of the
owner to register vessels, vehicles, and equipment related to transport of animals, animal products
and by-products, animal feeds and feedstufis, veterinary drugs/products, veterinary biological
products, veterinary devices and other products shall, upon conviction, be penalized with a fine of
not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than thirty (30)
days but not more than sixty (60) days, or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 64. Non-observance of Prescribed Procedures - Any person or establishment
operator which (a) during the course of regular operation fails to observe BAI prescribed
procedures, or (b) during seizure, detention or quarantine fails to seek clearance from BAI on the

Page 18 of 23


handling, disposal, or destruction and removal of live or dead animals, animal products, animal
by-products, animal effects, ‘veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs and products. and
veterinary devices, animal feeds and feed ingredients, shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a
fine of not less than Fifty Thousand pesos (P50,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than thirty
G0) days but not more than sixty (60) days, or both at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 65. Unauthorized Operation and Use of Registration Number - Establishment
operators and owners found without a valid license to operate from BAI or unlawfully using the
registration number of another establishment shall, upon conviction, be penalized with a fine of
not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than thirty
(30) Days but not more than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 66. Failure to Display and Use of Fake or Expired Registration Certificate -
Establishment operators found not displaying the License to Operate or displaying fake or expired
licenses in the premises of their establishments shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of
not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) for the First Offense and closure of said
establishments for the second offense.

SECTION 67. legal Manufacture and Marketing of Animal Feeds, Veterinary
Drugs/Products and Veterinary Biological Products — Any person or establishment operator
engaged in the manufacture, trade, importation, distribution, use or sale of banned, substandard,
tampered, adulterated, deficient, unlabeled or mislabeled, unbranded or misbranded, expired,
repacked, unregistered or damaged through improper handling of veterinary biological products,
veterinary drugs/products, veterinary devices, mixed animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed
supplements, feed additives, premixes, base feeds, base mixes, concentrates, specialty feeds,
special feed nutrient preparations and other feed products, in any form shall, upon conviction, be
penalized by a fine of not less thanOne Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than
Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment for not less than thirty (30) days
but not more than one (1) year or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 68. Ilegal Acts on Labeling of Fake and Adulterated Veterinary Drugs and
Products and Veterinary Biological Products - Any person or establishment operator found guilty
of tampering, altering, mutilating, destroying, obliterating or removing the whole or any part of
the labeling material packages and tags or labels of; or using fake or adulterated veterinary
biological products, veterinary drugs/products and veterinary devices, mixed animal feeds, feed
ingredients, feed supplements, feed additives, base feeds, base mixes, concentrates, specialty
feeds, special feed. nutrient preparations and other feed products, in any form, shall, upon
conviction be penalized with a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00)
but not more than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than sixty (60)
days but not more than one (1) year or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 69. legal Use and Sale of Veterinary and Human Drugs - Any person found
to be using and selling unauthorized veterinary or human drugs for animals raised for human
consumption shall upon conviction, be penalized with a fine of not less than Twenty Five
Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or
imprisonment of not less than thirty (30) days but not more than one (1) year, or both, at the
discretion of the court.

SECTION 70. Refusal to Vaccinate Animals - Refusal of an owner or caretaker to have
his animals vaccinated against diseases covered by mandatory vaccination shall, upon conviction,
be penalized with a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment for
not less than ten (10) Days but not more than thirty (30) days, or both, af the discretion of the
court.

Page 19 of 23


SECTION 71. Other Violations of this Act - Any person, officer of a corporation,
association, organization or establishment found to be in violation of any of the provisions of this
Act that are not covered by the foregoing provisions, or rules and regulations issued therewith,
shall, upon conviction, be penalized with a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand (20, 000) Pesos
but not more than One Hundred Thousand (P100,000) Pesos or imprisonment for not less than
thirty (30)days but not more than one (1) Year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 72. Exceptions -Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as requiring the
Director to certify for prosecution any first violation of this Act whenever sufficient compliance
and public interest, with no damage caused to the public or any individual, will be adequately
served by a suitable written notice of violation and warning duly endorsed by the appropriate
Hearing Committee described under Chapter XV hereof, and recommended by the Director to the
Secretary of Agriculture for approval.

SECTION 73. Repeated Violations — Any person found to have committed a second
violation of the same offense shall suffer the penalty of fine and imprisonment prescribed for said
offense.

Chapter XV
REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION PROCEEDINGS

SECTION 74. Institution of Complaint - The Director or upon the instance of any
interested party may file a complaint before the hearing committee for the formal suspension or
revocation of the license or permit duly issued by the BAI for violation of the terms and conditions
thereof, or any provisions of the rules and regulations applicable thereto.

SECTION 75. Hearing Committee - A hearing committee is hereby created to hear any
complaint filed under the preceding section. It shall be composed of at least three (3) members.
‘The Assistant Director and two (2) Division Chiefs or other BAI Officers as may be designated
by the Director, as members thereof.

SECTION 76. Powers and Functions — The Hearing Committee shall have the following
powers and functions:

1. To conduct formal investigation and hearings on the cases before it and make
recommendations for appropriate actions thereon for approval of the Director;

2. To administer oaths, issue summons and subpoenas requiring the attendance and
testimony of witnesses or the production of such books, papers, contracts, records, statement of
accounts, agreements, and other documents as may be material to a just determination of the matter
under investigation, and to testify in any investigation or hearing conducted in pursuance to this
Act.

3. To hold any person in contempt, directly or indirectly, and impose appropriate
penalties therefore ranging from One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) to Ten Thousand Pesos
(P 10,000.00).

4, To enjoin any or all acts involving or arising from any case pending before it which, if
not restrained forthwith, may cause grave or irreparable damage to any party or the government;

5, The Committee shall use every and all reasonable means to ascertain the facts, issues
and applicable laws, rules and jurisprudence in each case speedily and objectively and without
regard to technicalities of law or procedure, all in the interest of due process.

Inany proceeding before the Committee, the parties may be represented by a legal counsel.
‘The Committee report, when approved by the Director, shall be final and binding on the parties

Page 20 of 23,


after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from its date of receipt by said parties. Subject to execution
pending appeal, any aggrieved party may appeal to the Secretary of Agriculture within the same
period.

Chapter XVI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 77. Confidentiality of Technical Information - The BAI shall undertake such
measures as may be necessary to protect trade, industrial and policy data of industry stakeholders
acquired or gathered during the course of official business when disclosure of such information
will prejudice the competitiveness or operational viability of concerned persons or entities.

SECTION 78. Non-Liability Clause. All imaplementors of this Act shall not be held liable
for any damages and losses incurred by any individual or entity arising ftom. the lawful
performance of their duties and functions under this Act.

SECTION 79. Regulatory Fees and Retention of Income

1. The BAI shall have the authority to impose charges and fees for the services rendered
subject to the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture which are payable to the BAI.

2. All income of the BAI collected relative to the enforcement of regulatory. and
laboratory activities as mandated by this act shall be deposited in an authorized
government depository bank as a special account called Animal Health Protection
Fund. Any interest eared by such fund shall form part of the retained income. Such
fund shall be used primarily for but not limited to the acquisition and expansion of
office and laboratory space, human resource development and expansion, animal health
research, purchase of laboratory equipment and motor vehicles, the upgrading of its
current facilities and equipment, and maintenance, other operating expenses of the
central and regional laboratories, and other activities, services of the agency in the
performance of its mandate and support enforcement and monitoring activities subject
to the approvalof the Secretary oftheDA. «

3. The special regulatory fund shall be allowed to accept grants, donations and other
endowments from local and external sources in accordance with pertinent laws, rules
and regulations.

4, Any contribution, donation, bequest, subsidy or financial aid which may be made to
the BAI for the implementation of this Act shall constitute as an allowable deduction
from the taxable income of the donor/giver and shall be exempted from donor’s tax.

5. ‘The retention, use and application of this fund shall not be delayed, amended, altered,
or modified, or affected in any way by an order or directive from any executive office,
but will be subject to the general accounting rules and guidelines of the Commission
‘on Audit (COA). The primary purpose of the fund as herein stated shall prevail over
any other purpose that may be pursued by BAI on its own initiative or through an order
or directive by any higher office. The BAI shall submit annually to the Secretaries of
Agriculture and Budget & Management a report on how funds were utilized including
its accomplishments.

6. There shall also be established a legal fund, insuch amountas may be approved by the
Secretary of the DA, out of the interest earned from the retained income for use in case

Page 24 of 23


of legal actions against the officials, employees of the BAL in the course of the exercise
of their official functions and duties.

SECTION 80. Foreign and Local Grants and Aids — The BAI, in itself, or in
collaboration with other agencies shall receive grants and other funds for its research activities
and various programs.

SECTION 81. Veterinary Education ~The BAI in coordination with the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) and PVMA shall regularly provide recommendations to make the
veterinary medical curriculum responsive to the animal health and veterinary services needs and
of the country.

Chapter XVEE
‘TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 82. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The BAI shall formulate and
recommend to the Secretary of Agriculture the necessary rules and regulations for the full
implementation of this Act, provided, that the implementing rules and regulations shall be
submitted to both Houses of Congress for information and guidance. Such rules and regulations
shall take effect upon publication in 2 newspapers of general circulation and submission of three
(3) certified copies thereof to the National Administrative Register of the UP Law Center.

SECTION 83. Modification Plan.The BAI shall formulate the guidelines and
organizational modification plan for the strengthening of BAI to implement the provisions of this
Act subject to the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. .

SECTION 84. Creation and Reclassification of Positions ~The BAL is hereby authorized
to create, upgrade, collapse or reclassify existing positions to veterinary and related positions
necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Chapter XVI
FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 85. Appropriations — The appropriations for the BAI included in the budget of
the Department of Agriculture under the current General Appropriations Act shall be used to
effectively carry out the implementation of this Act. The appropriation may be augmented by the
income which the agency is authorized to use under this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SECTION 86. Mandatory Review - The Congress of the Philippines shall undertake a
mandatory review of this Act at least once every five (5) years or as often as it may deem
necessary, to ensure that animal health and veterinary service policies and guidelines remain
responsive to changing circumstances.

SECTION 87. Repeating Clause - Any provision of law or regulation inconsistent with
this Act shall be considered modified or repealed accordingly. However, the provisions of Act No.
3639, Republic Act No. 8435, as amended, otherwise known as the “Agricultural Fisheries
Modernization Act”, Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the “Administrative Code of
1987”, Republic Act No. 1556, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 7, otherwise known as the
“Livestock and Poultry Feeds Act”, Act No. 3101, Republic Act No. 1071, Republic ActNo. 1578,

Page 22 of 23


otherwise known as the “Livestock Promotion Fund”, Batas Pambansa Blg. 97, Republic Act No.
8485, otherwise known as the “Animal Welfare Act of 1998”, Republic Act No. 10631, otherwise
known as the “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007”, and such other laws which are not inconsistent with this
Act shall remain valid and in full force and effect.

SECTION 88. Separability Clause - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby,
shall continue to be in full foree and effect.

SECTION 89. Effectivity- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

APPROVED,

Page 23 of 23