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

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No, __ 3889

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

Explanatory Note

The Philippines is considered as one of the seventeen mega-diverse countries in the
world as well as a global biodiversity hotspot. Having a tropical rainforest climate, the
country is rich in animal biodiversity. The terrain changes throughout the archipelago, from
tropical rainforests to dense swamp lands, created an environment suitable for various
kinds of animals, including the commonly termed native animals.

Native animals are those animals that are indigenous to a given region or
ecosystem. They have developed unique physical characteristics and behavioral patterns
that enable them to survive and reproduce under their respective natural environments
with minimum human intervention. In fact, majority of the animals which survived Super
Typhoon Haiyan were native animals.

According to the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC), a research institution
based in Taiwan committed to a sustainable agricultural development in Asia and the
Pacific, native animals are important components of most agricultural production systems
in rural areas of the Asian region. These animals are a source of high quality protein. They
also help in generating additional income for small-scale farmers and other rural dwellers.

Except for native chickens which have a population of 78,460,000 out of the total
176,850,000 chickens in the country as of 1 July 2013, there is no available statistical data
on most native animals separate from the general data of agricultural products provided by
the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).

Although native animals have provided valuable contributions in the cultural, social,
and economic status of farming communities in the rural areas, these animals have not
been given special attention unlike other poultry and livestock products. Major setbacks
have been identified in the slow growth rate and inconsistencies in production involving
native animals. The lack of adequate research infrastructure in the country and the
appropriate technology in promoting and propagating local breeds has hindered the
development of this sector for years,


In 2010, the Department of Agriculture (DA) ordered the establishment of a program
for the conservation, development and utilization of native food animals such as chickens,
pigs and ducks which Filipinos usually domesticate for food. The program includes the
government's vision of adapting to the impact of climate change which will enable these
native animals to survive in adverse weather conditions. The Bureau of Animal industry
(BAl) was mandated by the DA to formulate a road map for the development and utilization
of these domesticated native food animals in consultation with various stakeholders. Thus,
it created the Philippine Native Animals Development (PNAD) Program. However, there are
still many areas that need further research and development on native animals. More
concrete steps should be undertaken by the government in order to promote and preserve
these native breeds.

This bill aims to enact policies that would (1) promote the scientific propagation of
native animals in the country by introducing an effective animal breeding system; (2)
develop and promote native animals as a reliable source of regular food for the Filipinos
and as a potential niche product of the Philippines; (3) strengthen research and
development on native animals, particularly in the preservation of their genetic make-up;
(4) increase the contribution of native animals in the country’s gross domestic product
(GDP); and (5) develop farming standards and good practices on native animals.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

SHARON. GARIN
AAMBISOWA Party-list


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

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

“3880

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE SCIENTIFIC PROPAGATION, PROCESSING, UTILIZATION
AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE NATIVE ANIMALS, HEREBY CREATING
‘THE PHILIPPINE NATIVE ANIMAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

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

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Native Animal Development Act
of 2014."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Constitution provides that the State shall develop a
self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos, and shall
provide for the preservation, conservation and development of comprehensive rural
development and agrarian reform. It also provides that the State shall support indigenous,
appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to
the country's productive systems and national life. Towards this end, a comprehensive
program for the promotion and development of native animals shall be established,
creating what is to be known as the Philippine Native Animal Development Center.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a) “Philippine Native Animal Development Center” refers to the National Swine and
Poultry Development Center of the Bureau of Animal Industry (Bal), and those that
will be created pursuant to this Act;

b) “Smaltholder farmer” refers to a farmer owning or cultivating five (5) hectares or less
of farmland;

c) “Native Animals” refer to animals found in one geographical location that developed
unique physical characteristics, behavior, product attributes, adapted to the local
environment and are products of selection with no infusion of exotic breed for at
least five (5) generations. Examples include, but are not limited to, (native) chickens,
goats, pigs, ducks, cattles, sheeps and horses.



Section 4, Creation of the Philippine Native Animal Development Center. There is hereby
created a Philippine Native Animal Development Center, hereinafter referred to as the
PNADC, administratively attached to and under the supervision and control of the DA.

Section 5. Powers and Functions of the PNADC. The PNADC shall have the following powers
and functions:

a) Conserve, propagate, utilize and promote Philippine native animals such as, but not
limited to, (native) chickens, goats, pigs, cattles, ducks, sheeps and horses through
the use of appropriate technology;

b) Undertake research activities in all disciplines that lead to the improvement of the
over-all productivity of Philippine native animals through collaborations with other
government instrumentalities, State Colleges and Universities and other private
research and development institutions;

©) Enable the farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, to avail themselves of good
quality native animal stocks at all times and at reasonable prices through an
organized program of production, breeding, training and dispersal;

d) Undertake training programs for farmers, particularly smallholder farmers,
designated to transfer technology on the proper reproduction and utilization of
native animals;

e) Encourage backyard development in rural areas by raising native animals so as to
meet the nutrition needs of the smallholder farmers and their families and reduce
dependence on commercialized or imported products;

f) Increase the existing annual population growth of Philippine native animals to
capture the supply and demand gap in the native animal market; and

@) Perform such other related functions which shall promote the propagation,
processing, utilization and development of Philippine native animals.

Section 6. Philippine Native Animals Framework for Development. The PNADC, in coordination
with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology (DOST),
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), native animal growers’
cooperatives and organizations, local government units, and the private sector, shall
formulate a five-year Framework for Development to be validated and updated annually.
Such Framework shall serve as guide to the formulation and implementation of plans,
programs and projects for the propagation, processing, utilization and development of
Philippine native animals, as envisioned in this Act. The Framework shall likewise provide for
the following:

a. Investment Promotion and Facilitation - The DA shall develop programs
establishing links between stakeholders in the native animal industry and
Government Financial Institutions (GFis) and other financial cooperatives.
The DA shall likewise develop and implement programs that would establish
reasonable and innovative investment incentives to attract more players in
the native animal industry;


b. Production Support and Extension - The DA through the BAl, in
consultation with DOST, state universities and colleges and other relevant
government agencies shall establish programs which shall promote and
provide adequate trainings on adapting technologies to smallholder farmers
or individuals engaged in the propagation, utilization, marketing, processing
and distribution of native animals; strengthen native animal cooperatives and
organizations involved in the sustainable and viable development of native
animals; and afford opportunities for participation in international
conventions, workshops and fora. The DA shall likewise make good breeds
readily available to farmers and farmers’ cooperatives to ensure high yield
and good quality of native animals;

. Research and Development ~ The DA, through the BAI, and the Bureau of
Agricultural Research (BAR) shall strengthen research collaboration among
state universities and other research institutions for technical support in the
areas of biotechnology and other fields that promote the development of the
native animals sector. It shall strengthen the existing National Swine and
Poultry Research Development Center to become the central coordinating
center and gene pool for native animals. The DA, through the BAI and BAR,
shall likewise establish sites and/or pilot farms for the propagation,
processing, utilization and development of Philippine native animals. The
same also covers the transfer and improvement of appropriate technology
and techniques, which will be utilized in every phase of native animal
propagation, marketing, processing and dispersal. Particular emphasis shall
be made in preserving the genetic make-up of these native animals and to
ensure economic viability and acceptance of technology to farmers;

d, Market Promotion and Development ~ The DA shall strive to strengthen its
various programs such as the Agri-Pinoy Livestock Program and other similar
programs in the promotion and development of native animals. The DA, in
coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall link-up
agribusiness cooperatives and organizations directly with consumers’
cooperatives and organizations. This also includes exploring national and
international markets and facilitating the participation of local growers and
producers in local and international conferences, trade fairs, and exhibits;

e. Quality Assurance - To ensure health and proper handling, the DA,
together with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), shall establish
and enforce standards in propagating, processing, grading, sampling, tests
and analysis, specifications, nomenclature, inspection, processing,
conservation, utilization and transportation of Philippine native animals; and

f. Infrastructure Development - The DA shall facilitate the provision and/or
installment of needed propagation and post-harvest facilities, distribution
and transport facilities, and other facilities in the propagation, processing,
utilization and development of native animals. The existing facilities of NMIS,



attached bureaus under the DA, and other agencies of the government, shall
likewise be utilized for the said purposes. Assistance shall likewise be given to
qualified and viable farmers or cooperatives in the availment of soft loans or
grants for the construction of native animal propagation and processing
facilities.

Section 7. PNADC Advisory Board. The PNADC Advisory Board shall be composed of the
following:

a. Secretary of the DA as Chairperson;

b. Director of the BAl as Vice-Chairperson;

¢. Assistant Secretary for Livestock as Chairperson of the Philippine Native Animals
Development Program (PNAD);

d. Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) as Head of the Native
Animal Technical Writing Group;

e. Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD);

f. Representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR);

g. Representative from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

h. Representative from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);

i. Two (2) representatives from the appropriate state colleges and universities
offering veterinary medicine and animal science courses (SCU); and

J. Two (2) representatives from native animal farmers’/producers’/processors’
associations.

Section 9. Functions of the PNADC Advisory Board. The PNADC Advisory Board shall
perform the following functions:

a)

b)
¢)

4)
e)

f)

Formulate policies, programs and projects for the development of the Philippine
native animals pursuant to the PNADC Framework for Development;

Review and recommend the annual budget of the PNADC;

Evaluate the implementation, efficiency and effectiveness of the program and
projects of the PNADC;

Recommend the establishment or abolition of PNAD Centers as may be deemed
necessary;

Promote the program and projects of the PNADC through information dissemination
and marketing; and

Perform such other related functions as may be necessary to carry out the purpose
and provisions of this Act.

The board shall regularly meet twice in every fiscal year and may hold special meetings,
whenever the need arises, to consider urgent matters upon the call of the Chairman or any
seven (7) board members.


Section 10, Executive Director of the PNADC, The Executive Director of the PNADC shall be
appointed by the Secretary of the DA.

The Executive Director of the PNADC shall perform the following functions:

a) Oversee the implementation of the policies, programs and projects of the PNADC;

b) Assist the PNADC Advisory Board in the review, evaluation and monitoring of the
PNAD Program; and

c) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the PNADC Advisory Board.

Section 11. Creation of Native Animal Regional Centers. — There shall be created at least
one (1) native animal center in every region in the country, namely Native Animal Regional
Center (hereinafter referred to as NARC). The NARC shall administer the programs, projects
and policies of the PNADC in their respective locality to ensure the following:

a) Implement various programs and projects of the PNADC in their respective regions;

b) Recommend other relevant policies, programs and projects to the Executive Director
of the PNADG; and

¢) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Executive Director of the
PNADC.

Section 12. Farmers’ Participation. The farmer-participants shall be encouraged to establish
strong farmers associations or cooperatives to serve as focal point for government
assistance in the propagation and dispersal of Philippine native animals and dissemination
of technology on native animals.

Section 13, Participation of Local Government Units. The local government units, in close
partnership with the native animal regional centers and various offices of the DA at the local
level, shall implement a native animal propagation and dispersal program within their
respective areas in accordance with the national policy and program of the PNADC. The
PNADC shall adopt a national dispersal program to primarily benefit the smallholder
farmers. Any income from the sale of native animals and their products shall be placed in a
revolving fund to be used in the propagation, distribution and development of native
animals

Section 14, Use of Funds. Not more than thirty percent (30%) of funds allocated under this
‘Act and in subsequent annual appropriations shall be used for personal services, and
maintenance and operating expenses; thirty percent (30%) for research and development;
and forty percent (40%) for native animals propagation and distribution.

Section 15. Annual Report. The PNADC through its Executive Director shall submit an annual
report to the Office of the President, the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, and
the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and Food on the status of the
implementation of this Act.


Section 16. Transfer of Philippine Native Animal Development Programs to the PNADC.
Upon approval of this Act, the Philippine Native Animal Development Program (PNAD) and
other existing native animal programs and projects implemented by various agencies shall
be transferred to the PNADC.

Section 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly,

Section 18. Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act is declare invalid, the
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,