HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

REGEYGDS

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA’
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1974

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B. Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘As people population increases, animal population follows suit. Not to mention the
different kinds of beastly brutes, constituted by wild, domesticated and domestic animals. Since
animals do not undergo formal education like humans, and considering that they can be easy
carriers of diseases and infections that can be passed on to humans, the proper regulation of
the animal industry is crucial.

Regulatory functions, such as, but not limited to, conducting scientific investigations in
accord with the implementation of statutes and regulations for the protection of the public from
infections, diseases and contaminated meat products should be considered as utmost priorities.

In congruence thereto, this bill seeks to strengthen the animal industry and veterinary
services in the Philippines by promoting and protecting animal health and welfare; recognizing
the importance of efficient delivery of sanitary measures; establishing a modern and responsive
national veterinary authority; encouraging the participation of various veterinary service
providers and secure the development of the animal industry in the attainment of greater
safeguards and food security for the country’s animal and human populations; improving public
health and environment; and, enhancing global trade competitiveness.

This Act shall apply to all programs, activities, and undertakings of persons,
corporations, associations, organizations, small-hold farmers, entities, or government agencies
that directly or indirectly deals on animal health-related matters, animal welfare, related
training and research use of veterinary drugs and genetic improvement of livestock.

The objectives of this bill are to protect human and environmental health from animal
diseases, improve veterinary services, formulate policies for the promotion of animal health,
institutionalize inter-agency, multi-sectoral and local government cooperation; animal food
production safety, global livestock trade competitiveness, dynamic livestock breeding and farm
production, among others.

To meet these objectives, the National Livestock and Veterinary Services Authority
(NLVSA) is created and tasked to implement the provisions of this measure up to the regional
level. The NLVSA would be placed under the Department of Agriculture (DA), which will be
chiefly responsible for overseeing and promoting the health, welfare and productivity of the
national animal population. The DA, as an administrative agency of the government is
comprised by experts in a specific field of specialization under its jurisdiction. Hence, the
decision to place the aforesaid establishment under the supervision of the said agency certainly
augurs well for the proposed bill.

‘The NVLSA shall have regulatory authority on all facets of the animal industry, providing
technical assistance and supervision pursuant to the same. ‘The agency shall have visitorial


powers through its duly authorized veterinary officers and shall have the authority for
“Declaration of Quarantine” and the power of “seizure and confiscation,” to name a few.

Moreover the Committee on Animal Welfare (CAW), created under Republic Act No. 8485,
otherwise known as the “Animal Welfare Act of 1998” shall be renamed, henceforth known as
the “National Advisory Committee for the Welfare of Animals,” to be chaired by a representative
from the private sector, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the DA. This newly-named
office shall be responsible for the formulation of rules and regulations for the strict
implementation of the provisions of this Act and R.A. No. 8485.

In view of the,foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

HORACI JANSING, JR.
1* District, Nueva Ecij 204 Distyi€t, Sultan Kudarat

This bill is a re-file of House Bill No. 1557, filed during the 16 Congress and referred to
stakeholders on February 24, 2014.

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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

19v4

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B, Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND VETERINARY SERVICES IN THE
PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL LIVESTOCK AND
VETERINARY SERVICES AUTHORITY

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

Chapter I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Animal Industry and Veterinary
Services Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It shall be the policy of the State to promote and
protect animal health and welfare, recognize the importance of efficient delivery of sanitary
measures, establish a modern and responsive national veterinary authority, encourage the
participation of various veterinary service providers, and secure the development of the animal
industry in the attainment of greater safeguards and food security for the country’s animal and
human populations, improved public health and environment, and enhanced global trade
competitiveness.

SECTION 3. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all programs, activities and undertakings
of persons, corporations, associations, organizations, small-hold farmers, entities, or
government agencies that, directly or indirectly, deals on:

1, Animal health related matters such as, but not limited to:
a, animal and zoonotic disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention, control
and eradication;
b. early detection systems and compulsory reporting of important animal
diseases and zoonoses;
¢. inspection and monitoring of (i) animals, animal products, and by-
products, (ii) animal facilities, premises, equipment, means of
transportation and other inanimate things in contact with animals
and/or animal products, (iii) animal feeds, feed ingredients,
supplements and additives, (iv) veterinary drugs, veterinary biological
and immunological products, veterinary cosmetics and. veterinary
devices;
2. Animal welfare;
3. Training and research on animal health and welfare, marketing and extension
services, and product development;
4. Rational and judicious use of veterinary drugs, veterinary biologicals and
diagnostic reagents in animals; and

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Ceri aAUEEn—

5. Management, genetic improvement and operations of beef cattle, poultry and
small ruminant farms of the government for conservation of native domestic
breeds.

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

1. To protect human and environmental health from hazards caused by animal
diseases and zoonoses;

2. To establish a modern and responsive veterinary services;

3. To formulate, promote, enforce, implement ruies, policies and programs for the
promotion of animal health, animal welfare and environment-friendly animal
production processes;

4, To institutionalize inter-agency, multi-sectoral and local government cooperation
on animal health and veterinary service programs;

5. To ensure animal food production safety and food security in support of poverty
alleviation;

6. To guarantee compliance and harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)
measures and other veterinary protocols with international standards;

7. To promote an environment of global livestock trade competitiveness;

8. To establish nucleus and multiplier livestock breeder and production farms in
support of the government’s modernization programs in agriculture.

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

shall mean as follows:

Accreditation ~ refers to the procedure by which government agency having jurisdiction
formally recognizes the competence of an inspection and/or certification services.

Agribusiness ~ refers to the various businesses involved in food production, including
farming, breed and feed supply, agrichemicals, farm and processing machinery,
wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. It also means
making a “simple farmer” or “small backyard operator” into an “entrepreneur,” by
legalizing their business venture with distinct identity and by developing their
‘own competitive edge in the industry group where they belong.

Animal - refers to vertebrate and invertebrate species whether domestic or wild (exotic or
indigenous) animals which may be food producing, companion, aquatic,
laboratory including birds, worms, bees and butterflies. The term excludes
human and non-mammalian aquatic species.

Animal effects ~ means litter or manure, hay, fodder or the like, used as blankets,
chains, harnesses, ropes, buckets, boxes, or crates and the like used by the
animal.

Animal facility ~ refers to temporary or permanent 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, and veterinary
hospitals.

Animal feeds — refers to a mixture or combination of feed ingredients, supplements and
additives, in any form, by specific formula to be fed directly as a sole ration to
animals which is capable of furnishing the nutritional needs or requirements of
the animal in order to maintain life, promote growth, production and
reproduction without any additional substance except water.

Animal health — refers to the overall physical condition and well-being of animal(s).

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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.

Animal Identification — refers to 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.

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

Animal Industry ~ refers to any activity relating to the production, breeding, caring,
rearing, holding, trading, transporting and use of all animals; animal processing,
marketing and feed milling,

Animal Production Food Safety and Security - refers to 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 off sufficient quantity or supply. This
includes measures taken to regulate and control the introduction of non-food
animals to the food chain,

Animal products and by-products ~ refer to any meat, fat, milk, whey, cream, butter,
cheese, egg or other food or foodstuff derived from an animal; or any part of the
viscera of an animal, hide, skin, hair, wool, feathers, shell, horn 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.

Animal Registry — refers to the list of information on animals (such as identification,
animal health, movement, certification, epidemiology, establishments} collected,
recorded, securely stored and made appropriately accessible and able to be
utilized by the National Livestock and Veterinary Services Authority (NLVSA), and
its stakeholders as described hereunder in Section 6, Chapter II.

Border Post - refers to any airport, seaport, railway station or road check-point open to
domestic and international trade of commodities, where veterinary inspections
are performed.

Buffer Zone ~ refers to an area established to protect the health status of animals in a
disease-free country or disease-free zones, from those in a country or zone of a
different animal health status, using measures based on the epidemiology of the
disease under consideration to prevent spread of the causative pathogenic agent
into a free country or a free zone. These measures may include, but are not
limited to, vaccination, movement control and intensified degree of disease
surveillance.

Certification ~ refers to the procedure by which official certification bodies or officially
recognized certification bodies provide written or equivalent assurance that
animal control systems conform to requirements.

Chief Veterinary Officer ~ refers to 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 Heaith Code of the World Organization for
Animal Health or Organization International des Epizooties (OIE) in the entire
country.

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Communicable Animal Diseases ~ refer to diseases which are transmissible from one
animal to another.

Compartment — refers to one or more establishments under a common biosecurity
management system containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health
status with respect to a specific disease or diseases for which required
surveillance, control, biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of
international trade.

Competent Authority ~ refers to the NLVSA which is the official authority charged by the
government in the control of animal health, welfare, animal production food
safety and veterinary services.

Confiscation ~ refers to taking into custody of animals, animal parts and/or products,
and/or of animal effects by the competent authority for its proper disposal for
having been the subject of violation of rules and regulations or posing risk to
general human and animal welfare.

Control Area or Zone — refers to an area around an infected area where restrictions will
reduce and/or limit the chance of further spreading the disease.

Diseases ~ refer to the impairment of normal state of living animals showing sub-clinical,
clinical / pathological manifestation with infectious and non-infectious condition.

Domestic movement ~ refers to the transfer/transport of animals, animal products, by-
products and effects within the country.

Down time - refers to the waiting period and biosecurity measures prescribed by the
owner or management approved by the NLVSA for people to observe before
entering the premises of any animal farm/establishment to prevent the entry of
animal diseases.

Early detection system ~ refers to 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 reportin,
(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.

Emerging Disease ~ refers to a new infection resulting from the evolution or change of an
existing pathogenic agent, a known infection spreading to a new geographic area
or 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.

Epidemiology — refers to 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.

Equivalence of Sanitary Measures ~ refers to the state wherein the sanitary measure(s)
proposed by the exporting country as an alternative to those of the importing
country achieve(s) the same level of protection.

Eradication ~ refers to the elimination of a pathogenic agent or disease from the country
or zone/area/region,

Establishment ~ refers to 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

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products and by-products, veterinary drugs and veterinary biological products,
animal feeds and feed ingredients, veterinary cosmetics, and veterinary devices.

Exportation — refers to 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.

Exotic/Foreign Animal Diseases ~ refer to any disease known to exist in foreign countries
which are 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.

Free Ingredients ~ refer to 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 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.

Free Zone ~ refers to an area which the absence of the disease under the consideration
has been complied in accordance with the requirements specified in the
‘Terrestrial Code of the OIE for free status being met. Within the zone and at its
borders, appropriate official veterinary control is effectively applied for animals
and animal products, and their transportation.

Governance - refers to the process by which the Philippine government (national,
regional and local), private sector, industry associations and other stakeholders
collectively solve the problems, needs and concerns of the animal industry.

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

Importation — refers to the bringing into the country commodities such as live animals,
animal products, animal by-products, animal effects, animal feeds, veterinary
drugs and veterinary biological products from foreign countries.

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

Infected Zone ~ refers to an area in which the disease under consideration is present.

International Veterinary Certificate - Otherwise called as Veterinary Health Certificate,
refers to 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.

Livestock ~ refer to food animals including poultry,

Livestock Agribusiness Marketing — refers to the critical roles marketing plays in the
successful operation of an agribusiness firm by focusing on the six major parts of
agribusiness marketing system such as: 1) the agricultural input industries; 2)
the impact of technology-induces changes on production practices and the need
for marketing awareness on the part of farmers as a way to achieve greater
profitability; 3) the commodity processing and food manufacturing industries; 4)
the food wholesaling and retailing industries; 5) the food service industry; and 6)
cooperative agribusiness.

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Livestock Marketing System ~ refers to livestock economics system that relies upon the
markets and market forces to allocate resources and goods to determine prices
and quantities of each product that will be produced.

Marketing — refers to the process of planning the conception, pricing, promotion and
distribution of goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and
organizational objectives.

Market infrastructure — refers to facilities including, but not limited to, livestock “oksyon”
market, wet/public market buildings, weighing scale center, holding pens,
warehouses, market information centers, slaughterhouses, connecting roads,
transport and communication and cold storage used by the livestock farmers in
marketing their produce.

Marketing Information System - refers to an information system concerned with the
collection, storage and analysis of information and date for marketing decision
making purposes. Information for use in marketing information systems is
gathered from customers, competitors and their products, and from the market
itself.

Marketing Intelligence ~ refers to data/ information obtained both publicly and privately
by market players that reflect a myriad of factors regarding prices, stocks, tends,
government policies affecting supply or demand, production and consumption of
products, by-products and allied products in an industry, e.g. animal industry, to
achieve a marketing or business-related competitiveness.

Market Research refers to the identification of a specific market and measurement of its
size and other characteristics collected from direct observation of the consumers
{such as in retail stores), mail surveys, telephone or face-to-face interviews, and
from published sources (such as demographic data).

Notifiable Disease - refers to 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.

Notification — refers to the procedure by which the Local Veterinary Authority informs the
National Veterinary Authority of the occurrence of an outbreak of disease or
infection.

OIE (Office Internationale des Epizooties) or the World Organization for Animal Health - is
the intergovernmental organization responsible for improving animal health
worldwide. It is recognized as a reference organization by the World Trade
Organization (WTO).

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

Production processes — refer to the transformational steps in the conversion of raw
materials to finished products.

Professional Regulation Commission ~ Board of Veterinary Medicine (PRC-VBM) ~ refers to
an autonomous authority regulating veterinarians and animal health technicians.

Quarantine ~ refers to the act of isolating animals from other animals with no direct or
indirect contact with other animals to prevent the transmission of specified
pathogen(s) while the animals are undergoing observation and, if appropriate,
testing and treatment, for a specified length of time and/or to determine their
freedom from disease.

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Quarantine Station — refers to 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 and, if appropriate, testing and
treatment.

Risk ~ refers to the likelihood of the occurrence and the likely magnitude of
consequences of an adverse event to animal or human health in the importing
country during a specified time period as a result of hazardous elements.

Risk Analysis ~ refers to the process composed of hazard identification, risk assessment,
risk management and risk communication.

Risk Communication ~ refers to the interactive exchange of information on risk among
risk assessors, risk managers and other interested parties.

Risk Management ~ refers to the process of identifying, selecting and implementing
measures that can be applied to reduce the level of risk.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures ~ defined as measures applied to (a) protect human
or animal life from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-
causing organisms in their food; (b) protect human life from plant- or animal:
carried diseases; (c) protect animal or plant life from pests, diseases, or diseas
causing organisms; and (d) 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.

Shipping Permit ~ refers to the document issued by the NLVSA authorizing the person
indicated therein to ship or transport the stated items to their indicated
destination(s).

Third party certification or independent certification is defined as when a firm requires
that its suppliers meet a certain standard and requests an independent
organization that is not involved in the business relationship to control the
compliance of suppliers.

‘Traceability — refers to the ability to follow or monitor the history /record of an animal or
group of animals during all stages of its life.

Transshipment ~ refers to the shipment of goods or containers to an intermediate
destination and then from there to yet another destination.

Vaccination ~ refers to 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.

Veterinarian - refers to 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.

Veterinary Authority ~ refers to the government authority, comprising of duly licensed
veterinarians, having the responsibility and competence of ensuring or
supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures,
international veterinary certification and other standards and guidelines in the
‘Terrestrial Code of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health).

Veterinary Biological Products - refer to all microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi,
protozoa, etc.), components 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,

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serums, toxins and antitoxins intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention and
treatment of animal diseases and for research purposes.

Veterinary Cosmetics ~ refer to any substance or preparation intended to be placed in
contact with the various external parts of the animal body or with the teeth,
mucous meinbranes of the oral cavity, with a view exclusively or mainly to
cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and/or correcting the
body odor, and/or protecting the body or keeping the same in good condition.

Veterinary Devices — refer to any instruments, apparatuses, implements, machines,
appliances or contrivances, 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 of animals.

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

Veterinary Products ~ as used in this Act, shall collectively refer to veterinary biologicals,
veterinary drugs, 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.

Veterinary Officer ~ refers to a duly licensed veterinarian employed or deputized by the
Director General of the NLVSA 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 ~ refer to the activities in the implementation of animal health,
welfare, feed control and animal production food safety by government and non-
government organizations.

Zone/Region ~ refers to a clearly defined part of the country containing an animal
subpopulation with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease for
which required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been applied
for the purpose of international trade,

Zoonosis — refers to any disease or infection which is naturally transmissible from
animals to humans vice versa.

Chapter IL
STRUCTURE, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

SECTION 6. The National Livestock and Veterinary Services Authority (NLVSA). The
Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) shall be renamed as the “National Livestock and Veterinary
Services Authority (NLVSA)", an attached line agency up to the regional level under the
Department of Agriculture, primarily responsible for the regulation of the health, welfare, and
productivity of the national animal population,

The NLVSA shall be headed by a Director General, with the rank of undersecretary, who.
must possess a minimum experience of ten (10) years in practice as a duly licensed
veterinarian. He shall be assisted by a Deputy Director General for Regulatory Services and a
Deputy Director General for Research, Development and Extension Services, who, likewise,
must both possess a minimum experience of ten (10) years practice as a duly licensed
veterinarian.

The Director General and Deputy Directors General shall be appointed by the President
of the Philippines, while, the Center Directors, Regional Directors and Director for
Administrative Support Services, shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. All

Page 10 of 28


personnel below the Director and Regional Director levels shall be appointed by the Director

General.

SECTION 7. Power and Functions. The NLVSA shall have the following principal powers
through the Director General or his duly designated representative:

1

Regulatory Authority. The NLVSA shall have authority to regulate animal health,
animal welfare, animal production food safety and matters connected or
pertaining to, but not limited to, general sanitary measures, risk analysis, animal
quarantine and inspection, diagnosis of diseases, animal feeds and feed
ingredients, veterinary drugs and veterinary biological products, and other
pharmaceuticals and products used on animals and the environment, animal
facilities, equipments, veterinary devices and veterinary cosmetics, veterinary
research, animal production and international certification procedures.

Technical Assistance and Supervision. The NLVSA shall provide technical 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 date regarding animal disease
situations, within the respective areas of jurisdictions of other government
agencies and LGUs.

Assumption of Control. The NLVSA is authorized, subject to the approval of the
Secretary of Agriculture and as recommended by the National Advisory
Committee on Animal Diseases and Emergency (NAC-ADE), as hereunder
described in Sections 14 and 15, Chapter IV, to assume full control and direction
in the management of local and regional 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.

‘The NLVSA shall make the proper coordination with the concerned LGU
and regional officials of other agencies on its activities.

Visitorial Power. The NLVSA, through its duly authorized personnel, upon
presenting appropriate credentials or authority to the owner, manager, or any
person-in-charge and after following reasonable down time requirements duly
approved by the NLVSA, 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 with proper description and
receipt of those taken, and when required by circumstances and as authorized by
the Director General, impose preventive and control measures therein, in
coordination with concerned owners and caretakers.

Declaration of Quarantine. The Director General, through a written order of
quarantine, shall cause the immediate seizure, holding or detention for thirty (30)
days or for such longer period, if necessary, for observation and/or mandatory
testing of animals, animal parts, products and by-products, animal feeds, feed
ingredients, feed supplements and feed additives, veterinary biological products,
veterinary drugs, 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 conditions, and posing an imminent danger, threat and injury to the overall
animal health situation in the country.

Confiscation and Disposal. The NLVSA, through appropriate destruction order,
shall have the authority to immediately confiscate and dispose of animals, animal
parts, products and by-products, animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed
supplements/additives, veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs, products

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and veterinary devices, and such other materials or substances that are declared
prohibited or banned; or showing signs and symptoms of dangerous animal
diseases; or, in case of animal feeds, veterinary drugs, biological and other
materials or substances, tested positive for adulteration, or contamination of
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 may be, 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.

7. Call for Assistance. The Director General 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.

8. Subsidiary Legislation. The Secretary of Agriculture, upon the recommendation of
the NLVSA, shail issue rules and regulations to implement and enforce the
provisions of this Act.

9, Delegation. The NLVSA shall have the authority to deputize local government and
private veterinarians to perform disease control measures to obviate any animal
welfare concerns and animal health matters for proper implementation of
national disease control policies and programs at all levels. The Director General
(DG) shall deputize Animal Welfare Officers from Non-Government Organizations
(NGOs), citizens groups, community organizations and other volunteers who have
undergone the necessary training and accreditation for this purpose. As such,
the Animal Welfare Officers shall have the full authority to seize and confiscate
affected animals in violation of the provisions of this Act, subject to existing rules
and regulations on arrest and detention.

10. Emergency Response. The NLVSA shall establish an emergency preparedness
plan to ensure the safety and protection of the animal population in the event of
natural and man-made disasters.

SECTION 8. Organizational Structure. The administrative, technical, finance and
support services of the NLVSA shall be strengthened as may be appropriate and necessary to
carry out effectively the provisions of this Act. Various Centers shall be established under the
NLVSA and each Center shall be headed by a Director, who must possess a minimum practice
of five (5) years as a veterinarian, with supervisory experience in any related field. Each Center
shall include divisions which shall be headed by a division chief with minimum management
experience of three (3) years.

1. Center for Animal Health and Welfare (CAWH) - This Center shall be responsible for
veterinary epidemiology, animal disease surveillance system, animal disease prevention,
control and eradication programs, risk analysis, herd health management, animal
welfare and animal health information.

CAWH shall have the following divisions: (a) Veterinary Epidemiology and
Economics; (b) Animal Disease Control and Veterinary Public Health; (c) Animal Welfare;
and (d) Animal Health Information and Communication.

2, Center for Veterinary Quarantine Services (CVQS) ~ This Center shall be primarily
responsible in issuing import and export certifications, conducting pre- and post-border
inspections and monitoring, accreditation, quarantine, and, if warranted by biosecurity
procedures, instituting immediate seizure and/or confiscation and destruction or
disposal of animals, animal parts, products and by-products, animal feeds, feed
ingredients, feed supplements and feed additives, veterinary biological products,
veterinary drugs/products and veterinary devices, and such other materials or

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Farrer)

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substances posing threat or harm to animal health. The Center shall also be responsible
for the maintenance of quarantine stations and enforcement of animal quarantine and
welfare rules and regulations in the various inland and offshore shipping routes of the
country.

CVQS shall have the following divisions: (a) Sanitary and PhytoSanitary Trade
Facilitation; (b) Veterinary Quarantine Inspection and Monitoring; and (c) Biosecurity,

3. Center for Animal Disease Diagnosis (CADD) — This Center shall primarily conduct
laboratory diagnosis of animal diseases and act as a repository date on disease
diagnosis. It shall be responsible for the establishment and management of regional
veterinary diagnostic and other specialized laboratories, including the
certification/accreditation of private and government animal disease diagnostic
laboratories and the monitoring of same. CADD shall also be the National Reference
Center for Animal Disease Diagnosis,

CADD shall have the following divisions: (a) Pathobiology; (b) Bactriology and
Mycobiology; (c) Virology; (4) Laboratory Standards and Compliance; and (e) National
Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Information Management and Coordination.

4. Center for Animal Feeds, Veterinary Products and Establishments Regulation
(CAFVPER) - This Center shall regulate the manufacture, production, importation,
exportation, distribution handling sale, offer for sale, transfer, promotion, advertisement,
the use and testing of pre-mixes, animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplement and
feed additives, veterinary drugs and veterinary biological products, veterinary cosmetics,
and veterinary devices and all other types of veterinary products and establishments. It
shall likewise conduct assays on the quality, safety, potency and efficacy of these
products and veterinary drug residues in animal products except meat,

CAFVPER shall include the following divisions: (a) Registration, Licensing, and
Accreditation; (b) Inspection and Compliance; and (c) Laboratory Services.

5, Animal Genetic Resource Management and Improvement Center (AGRMIC) ~ This
Center shall be responsible for formulating policies and programs for sustainable animal
genetic resources of domestic animals. It shall prepare in consultation with various
stakeholders the national strategy and action plan for the use, development, and
conservation of animal genetic resources, in particular, the native food animals.

AGRMIC shall have the following divisions: (a) Breed Registry and Central Data
Management; (b) Gene Bank; (c) Native Pigs; (d) Native Poultry; (e) Native Cattle, Goat,
and Sheep; and (f) Native Horses.

6. Center for Animal Research and Product Development (CARPD) - This Center
shall address the national agenda for all researches on animal health, animal welfare
and animal production food safety and security in coordination, collaboration and
consultation with international and local agencies and stakeholders.

It shall also be responsible for the generation of technology. Technology
adaptation and demonstration necessary for maximum utilization of available resources
in accordance with the requirements of the national animal research, production and
development agenda and shall also serve as repository of all animal research and
scientific information.

CARPD shall have the following divisions: (a) Animal Production Research; (b)
Veterinary Product Research and Standards Development; and (c) Animal Product
Development,

7. Center for Livestock Trade Promotion and Development (CLTPD) - This Center
shall be primarily responsible for the promotion of the national agenda for the
development and implementation of sustainable livestock business development, animal
industry strategic management, animal supply chain management, animal knowledge

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and information network, participatory governance, animal market and post-production
development and animal market infrastructure and animal statistics and marketing
intelligence, animal marketing system programs and activities.

CLTPD shall have the following divisions: (a) Livestock Business and Industry
Strategic Development; (b) Market and Post-Production Development; and (c} Socio-
Economic and Marketing Research,

SECTION 9, Administrative Support Services. The NLVSA shall be assisted by an
Administrative Support Services which shall be headed by Director and Regional Chiefs of
Division, who must possess a minimum management experience of five (5] years and three (3)
years in any related field, respectively. It shall have the following divisions or units, as may be
applicable, to wit: (a) Assets and Finance; (b) Human Resource Development; (c) Property and
Logistics Management; (d) Legal Support Services; (e) Monitoring and Evaluation; (f) Planning
and International Desk; and (g) Information and Communication Technology Management.

SECTION 10. Regional Livestock and Veterinary Services Offices (RLVSOs) ~ Regional
Livestock and Veterinary Services Office of the NLVSA shall be created at the regional level to be
headed by the Regional Director, who must possess a minimum experience of ten (10) years as a
veterinarian. Each office shall be supported by such number of divisions as may be necessary in
the performance of regional operations.

All existing DA regional staff performing veterinary services and functions are hereby
transferred to the RLVSO.

Chapter I

CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER, VETERINARY OFFICERS, AND
ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIANS

SECTION 11. Chief Veterinary Officer. The Director General of the NLVSA shall be the
Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of the country. He shall be primarily responsible in the
formulation and 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 dialogue on animal health matters.

‘The CVO shall coordinate and, as much as possible, establish linkages with allied
government agencies, the private sector and 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 shalll also endeavor to address current, recurring, new and prospective national
issues and concerns on animal health, animal welfare, safe animal feed and animal food
production safety and security, with regional and global impact through the help of other allied
government agencies and stakeholders.

SECTION 12. Veterinary Officers (VOs) and Animal Health Technicians (AHTs). The
Director General of the NLVSA shall appoint or deputize veterinarians and other personnel
under its employ as VO and AHT, respectively, under this Act. He shall prescribe the duties and
responsibilities of the National and Regional VO.

When the interest of the service so requires, the VO 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 Director General.

SECTION 13. Magna Carta for Public Health Workers. VOs, AHTs, and other
veterinarians employed or deputized by the NLVSA, 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.

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Chapter IV
ADVISORY COMMITTEES

SECTION 14. 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), which were created in the advent of emerging diseases
are hereby renamed and institutionalized in this Act as the National and Regional Advisory
Committees on Animal Diseases and Emergency (NAC-ADE/RAC-ADE) under the Office of the
Secretary of Agriculture.

‘The Chairperson of the NAC-ADE shall be a duly licensed veterinarian of good standing,
competence and probity in the veterinary position, and a practicing veterinarian for at least ten
(10) years with sufficient knowledge of the livestock industry and its animal health-related
services. He shall be designated as such by the Secretary of Agriculture from the
recommendation of the regular members from the private sector.

The manner in the filling up of the members of the committee and sub-committees shall
be prescribed and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture upon recommendation of the
Director General. The composition of the committee shall be updated from time to time and as
may be needed by circumstance.

SECTION 15. Duties and Functions. The NAC-ADE and RAC-ADE shall submit their
recommendations directly to the Secretary of Agriculture and perform the following duties and
functions:

1. Recommend policies and measures on the following:

a. Risk analyses and import protocols, prevention, control, eradication, and
monitoring of economically harmful animal diseases, including zoonotic
diseases;

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

c. Verification of reports on emerging zoonotic animal diseases;

d. Support the CVO in sourcing funds from national and international funding
agencies.

2. The NAC-ADE shall coordinate the activities of the various Regional Advisory
Committee on Animal Diseases and Emergency (RAC-ADEs) which is the regional
counterpart and have similar function advising the Secretary of Agriculture and the
respective Regional Directors (RDs);

3. Create sub-committees to address special issues and concerns of the NLVSA and
other agencies;

4. Assist in the review of policies, programs, and projects for the development of the
National Veterinary Services;

5. Assist in the evaluation of the implementation, efficiency and effectiveness of the
operations, programs, and projects of the NLVSA, as well as in the enforcement of the
provisions of this Act.

SECTION 16. National Advisory Committee for the Welfare of Animals (NACWA). The CAW
created under RA 8485 shall be renamed the NACWA which is a multi-agency /multi-sectoral
committee. It shall be chaired by a representative from any of the private sector subject to the
approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. The Committee shall be responsible for the formulation
of rules and regulations for the strict implementation of the provisions of this Act and RA 8485.

‘The committee shall be composed of representatives from the following agencies/ sectors:

a. Department of Agriculture
b. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
¢. Department of Interior and Local Government

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SECTION 17. Animal Feeds Advisory Committee (AFAC). The Animal Feed Control
Advisory Committee (AFCAC) created under Senate Bill No. 627 amending Republic Act No.
1556 adopted into law by Presidential Decree No. 7 in 1972, is hereby renamed Animal Feed
Advisory Committee with eleven (11) members, the composition of which shall be modified to
add three more members, namely: one legal representative from the NLVSA, one representative
from the Legal Division of DA, and one representative from the Philippine College of Veterinary
Feed Practitioners. The AFAC shall continue to exercise its functions in matters related to the
animal feed industry, except as provided in Section 66 of SB No. 627 hereof.

SECTION 18. Mandatory Review and Evaluation. The recommendations of the NAC-ADE,
NACWA, and AFAC shall be subject to mandatory review and evaluation by the Director General
before the same are submitted for final approval by the Secretary of Agriculture.

SECTION 19. Other Advisory Committees. Other Advisory Committees may be created to
assist the NLVSA in the implementation of its various programs and projects.

Chapter V
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND LOCAL VETERINARY OFFICES

SECTION 20. LGU Assistance and Cooperation. Local Government Units (LGUs) shall
assist and closely cooperate with the NLVSA in the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
They shall extend any available manpower, security, material and financial resources to any
national animal disease prevention and control measures, animal welfare and other national
programs being undertaken by the NLVSA within their respective jurisdictions.

SECTION 21. Creation of Municipal Veterinary Positions. The position of municipal
veterinarian shall be mandatory in all first class municipalities and optional in other
municipalities,

SECTION 22. Responsibilities of Provincial, City, and Municipal Veterinarians. In addition
to the duties of veterinary officer as provided in Section 489 of Republic Act No, 7160, also
known as the Local Government Code of 1991, it shall be the duty of veterinary officer as the
case may be to:

1, Ensure the implementation of policies, rules, and regulations issued by the NLVSA
and other coordinating 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 animal welfare regulations;

2. Extend assistance, as may be necessary, to the NLVSA in the implementation or
enforcement of animal disease prevention and control measures, and animal welfare
within their area of responsibility;

3. Comply with all reportorial and documentary requirements needed by the NLVSA in
the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 23. Issuance of Mayor's Permit. No LGU shall issue any Mayor’s Permit to
operate any farm, clinic, animal facility, kennel, or any other veterinary establishment unless
the owner/operator has secured clearance from the provincial, city or municipal veterinarian
attesting to the fact that the establishment has complied with all the requirements prescribed
under NLVSA rules and regulations.

Chapter VI

ROLE OF ALLIED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND
NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

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SECTION 24, Allied Government Agencies. Allied government agencies that are
performing veterinary services and related functions shall continue to do so. The Director
General of the NLVSA as the national competent authority shall call upon other allied
government agencies and academe in the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 28. Other Agencies and Sectors. The NLVSA shall establish agreements with
other government sectors, private sectors, academe, and other relevant agencies and
stakeholders in the implementation of plans and programs in animal disease prevention,
control, eradication and to ensure prompt mobilization of all essential personnel and resources
in the event of animal disease emergencies.

SECTION 26. Responsibilities. All government agencies and private entities performing
veterinary and related functions shall cooperate fully with the Director General (CVO) and
comply with the set policies and technical standards for veterinary services.

Chapter VII
ANIMAL HEALTH, WELFARE AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION FOOD SAFETY

SECTION 27. Duty to Report Notifiable Diseases. 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 NLVSA or to the RLVSO immediately within 24
hours by the quickest means possible.

‘These notifiable diseases include, among others, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD),
Classical Swine Fever (CSF, Hog Cholera), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
(PRRS), Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Newcastle Disease (ND) or Avian Pest, Rabies,
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), Anthrax, and Hemorrhagic Septicemia.

‘The NLVSA shall provide a complete list of Notifiable Diseases and their reporting
guidelines, which shall be updated from time to time.

SECTION 28. Proper Disposal of Dead Animals and Potentially infective Materials. Dead
animals, manure, and other potentially infective materials from regular operations of farms,
clinics, and animal facilities shall be disposed in accordance with existing laws, rules and
regulations and guidelines set by the NLVSA.

SECTION 29. Animal Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology. All agencies performing
veterinary services shall be responsible in monitoring animal disease situations by conducting
regular surveillance of the animal and livestock population in their respective jurisdictions and
are required to report periodically to the NLVSA.

SECTION 30. National Registry, Animal Identification and Traceability of Livestock. A
national registry of animal facilities and establishments shall be established by the NLVSA. An
animal identification system shall also be developed to be able to trace the origin of each animal
or groups of animals. The NLVSA, in consultation with livestock stakeholders, shall also
establish farm classification system in accordance with accepted standards and parameters.

SECTION 31. 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 implementing rules and regulations of this Act. In case of refusal to
vaccinate despite due notice, the NLVSA shall have the authority to require the LGU concerned
to revoke the Mayor's and Business Permits issued for the operation of the establishment.

SECTION 32. Emergency Preparedness. The NLVSA shall draft the National Emergency
Preparedness and Disaster Plans in response to animal health, welfare and animal production
food safety. Measures shall also be developed to mitigate the effect of climate change in the
livestock industry.

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SECTION 33. Animal Welfare Practices. All animal producers, owners, operators, farm
managers, farm veterinarians, animal facility operators and farm consultants who have, in their
Possession or care, animals, shall adopt and observe animal welfare regulations and practices.

SECTION 34. Animal Health, Welfare and Animal Production Food Safety Information
System. The NLVSA shall develop a more effective animal health information system involving
agencies and other stakeholders on animal health, welfare and animal production food safety,
including establishment of an effective information network.

SECTION 35. Risk Analysis. Principles of risk analysis shall be incorporated in all policy
formulation and standard setting such as, but not limited to, the importation of animals, animal
products and by-products, veterinary biological products, animal feeds and animal effects.

SECTION 36. Veterinary Public Health. The NLVSA 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 food safety.

SECTION 37. Mandatory Engagement of the Professional Services of a Veterinarian. All
animal 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 minimum number of animals and other parameters to be prescribed by
the NLVSA, in consultation with concerned sectors.

SECTION 38. Farm inspection and Certification. The NLVSA, in consultation with
stakeholders, shall establish standards and parameters on farm inspection and certification.

Chapter VIII
QUARANTINE MEASURES AND FACILITIES

SECTION 39. Border Post Entry. The importation of animals, animal products, animal
by-products, animal feeds and feed ingredients, veterinary drugs, veterinary biologocals,
veterinary cosmetics and veterinary devices, and other potential vectors of animal diseases shall
be subjected to veterinary inspection at ports of entry and, if warranted, placed under
quarantine and tested as may be deemed appropriate and necessary. Such importation must
comply with prescribed documents such as, but not limited to, (1) an Authority to Import duly
issued by the NLVSA and secured prior to the importation, and (2) an International Health
Certificate and/or Sanitary Phytosanitary (SPS) Clearance, or its equivalent, and such other
documents as may be required by the NLVSA to be obtained from the proper authorities of the
country of origin,

SECTION 40. Boarding Inspection of Carriers. All vessels and planes, domestic or
international, are subject to boarding inspection upon arrival, and before departure, for any
unloaded and undeclared importation, unauthorized exportation, or local shipment of regulated
or prohibited animals, animal products, animal by-products, animal feeds and feed ingredients,
veterinary drugs, veterinary biological, veterinary cosmetic and veterinary devices, and other
Potential vectors of animal diseases. The captain, master or skipper, other officers and crew
members, and agent of such carriers shall render assistance as the Veterinary Officer and his
deputies may reasonably request to facilitate the discharge and disposal of illegal articles,

SECTION 41. Release from Customs Zone. The Bureau of Customs or its representative
shall not allow the release of any article of importation that is subject to veterinary inspection,
quarantine and examination procedures unless the NLVSA or its duly authorized representative
has issued a Veterinary Quarantine Compliance Certificate or Lifting of Quarantine for the
particular shipment, as the case may be.

SECTION 42, Prohibited Importation. No importation of animals, animal products,
animal by-products, animal effects, and other related products (e.g. fodder crops, forage, etc.)
shall be allowed from countries known or declared to be infected with a dangerous
communicable animal disease or diseases which has been banned to export the said products to
the Philippines and where there is a possible danger of spreading or introducing such disease or

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diseases into the Philippines by the importation of such item. All in-transit shipments at the
time of the occurrence of the foreign disease or contagion shall be subjected to strict quarantine
and laboratory testing, or automatically denied entry and/or confiscation and disposal, and as
the NLVSA may determine, in the overriding interests of protecting the animal and public health
of the country,

SECTION 43. Wildlife and Endangered Species, In accordance with Section 2 of Article
14 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) on effect on
domestic legislation and international conventions, all kinds of wildlife that are subject to
veterinary quarantine regulations shall be under NLVSA jurisdiction.

SECTION 44. Exportation Clearance or Certificate. No animals, animal products, animal
by-products, animal effects, animal feeds, veterinary drugs/products and veterinary biological
products shall be allowed to be exported and loaded on board ships and airplanes or any vehicle
unless (I) it is accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate/International Veterinary

Certificate and/or Commodity Clearance duly issued by the NLVSA and (2) it has complied with
the quarantine requirements of the country of destination.

SECTION 45. Transshipment. All transshipments of live animals, animal products,
animal by-products, animal effects, animal feeds, and veterinary products at domestic or
international ports of call shall comply with the animal health and welfare rules and regulations
prescribed by the NLVSA,

SECTION 46. Domestic Shipping. All inland and inter-island shipments of animals,
animal products, animal by-products, animal effects, veterinary drugs and veterinary biological
Products from one province or region to another shall be accompanied by a Veterinary Health
Certificate or Shipping Permit duly issued by the Director General or his duly authorized
Tepresentatives. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Fisheries Development
Authority (PFDA) and other agencies/entities managing fishports, and other ports shall require
the owner, agent or master of carrier, or vessel to secure and submit a copy of clearance from
the Veterinary Inspector or his deputies assigned thereat as a prerequisite to issuance of
clearance to depart from the port.

SECTION 47. Illegal or Unauthorized Shipments. Shipments of animals, animal
products, animal by-products, veterinary drugs, veterinary biological products and animal feeds
which are found to be in violation of this Act and its rules and regulations, or orders of the
Director General of his veterinary quarantine officers shall be confiscated and disposed of in a
manner prescribed by the Director General.

SECTION 48. Registration of Commercial Livestock Traders and Shippers. All commercial
livestock trader and shippers or handlers who are engaged in the inter-provincial and regional
shipment / transportation of livestock shalll register with the RLVSO in order to maintain disease-
free areas and achieve safe, clean and orderly handling of commodities through the various
stages of marketing or distribution channels.

SECTION 49. Prescribing Standard Operating Procedures for Veterinary Quarantine
Services in all Seaports and Airports. The NLVSA shall establish a standard operating procedure
for the Veterinary Quarantine Services at the different quarantine facilities, such as, but not
limited to, seaports and airports in the country.

SECTION 50. Declaration of Infected Areas, Premises or Zones. If the Director General
has reasonable grounds to believe that any premises, place or are is infected with a Notifiable
Disease, he may, by a written order, declare an area to be infected. In case of an outbreak of
communicable animal and zoonotic diseases, the Director General has the power to declare the
area, region, province, or specific farm or establishment under quarantine.

SECTION 51. Movement in infected Areas. Movement of animals, animal products,
animal by-products, animal effects, veterinary drugs, veterinary biological products, and
transport vehicles reasonably suspected to be exposed or contaminated with a Notifiable Disease
shall be restricted in areas, regions, provinces or a specific farm or establishment that are
declared infected, unless authorized by the Director General or his duly-authorized

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representative, in the event of a disease outbreak, zones shall be established to restrict the
movement of animals between zones. Notices declaring the areas under quarantine shall be
posted in a conspicuous place in the Municipal and/or Barangay Hall, as the case may be.

SECTION 52. Lifting of Order of Quarantine. The Director General shall issue an order
lifting the quarantine where the areas, regions, provinces, or specific farms or establishments
declared to be infected are eventually determined to be safe and out of danger from such
infection, This shall authorize the resumption of shipments within the affected places.

SECTION 53. Duty of Owner or Holder. A person who owns, or is in charge of, or has in
his or her possession or control, an animal or animal product which the person has reasonable
grounds to suspect is infected with a notifiable diseases must, as far as practicable, keep that
animal or animal product seaerate from non-infected animals or animal products,

SECTION 54. Controlled Shipments. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess,
administer or use infectious diseases agents, for scientific, laboratory or other purposes, unless
duly authorized by a special permit by the Director General to handle hazardous materials.

SECTION 5. Depopulation Order. The Director General or his duly authorized
representative may, by a written Depopulation Order require the stamping out of healthy
animals in declared infected areas, premises or zones to prevent further spread of the disease.

SECTION 56. Destruction Order. The Director General or his duly authorized
representative may, by a written Destruction Order, require the proper disposal of (1) any
animal, animal product, and effect, and if deemed necessary, any expendable material, such as,
but not limited to, litter, bedding, feed bags, chick cartoon, animal crates, cage, and feeds,
which are infected, or reasonably suspected to be infected with a Notifiable Disease, and (2)
confiscated, expired, banned, unregistered, or counterfeit veterinary biological products,
veterinary drugs and products.

SECTION 57. Disinfection Order. The Director General or his duly authorized
representative may, by a written Disinfection Order, likewise, require the owner or person-in-
charge or a person in apparent control of an area which is infected, or reasonably suspected to
be infected with a Notifiable Disease, to clean and disinfect said area, including vehicles or any
material found therein.

SECTION 58. Disease-Free Areas. Declaration of any area as disease-free shall be made
by the NLVSA Director General upon the recommendation of concerned animal health
authorities of said office. The declaration of an area as disease-free shall be subject to the
guidelines set by the NLVSA.

SECTION 59. Expenses of Quarantine and Authority to Auction. The owner, consignee, or
possessor of the animals placed under quarantine shall reimburse the NLVSA for the expenses
incurred during the quarantine period of such animals. In case of his failure to do so after a
Lifting Order of Quarantine has been issued and duly served upon him, the NLVSA shall have
the right to auction off his animals to recover such expenses made.

SECTION 60. Non-Liability Clause. All charges for storage, demurrage, cartage, labor
and delays incident to the inspection, cost of disinfection and disposition and other post entry
requirement shall be paid by the importer, exporter, shipper or consignee, as the case may be.

SECTION 61. The Veterinary Quarantine Service Officer (VQSO) or any other authorized
personnel of the Center for Veterinary Quarantine Services shall not be held liable for damages
to the commodity or any other damages in the course of implementation of the provisions of this
Act, as well as its implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 62. Disposal of Food/Garbage from Vessels or Planes. No food provisions or
garbage shall be unloaded from vessels or airplanes if there is danger that such provision may
introduce any communicable animal disease into the country, especially if such provisions
originated from areas known to be infected with any communicable animal disease.

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SECTION 63. Role of BOC, PPA, ATO and other Ports. The Bureau of Customs, Philippine
Ports Authority, Air Transportation Office and other seaport and airport authorities shall
cooperate with the veterinary quarantine service in the enforcement of this Act or any rules and
regulations issued in the implementation thereto, and shall give effect to the same in so far as
they are connected with matters of shipping, navigation and transportation, or
shipment/transport of animals, animal products, animal by-products, animal effects, animal
feeds, and veterinary drugs/products and veterinary biological.

SECTION 64. Establishment of Veterinary Quarantine Stations. The NLVSA shall
establish and maintain quarantine stations for the detention, treatment and observation of
animals in such places as may be approved from time to time by the Secretary of Agriculture,
and to place all animals arriving from foreign and domestic ports or interior places in
quarantine for such time as he may deem necessary to prevent the introduction and spread of
dangerous communicable animal diseases.

Chapter IX
INDEMNIFICATION AND DISEASE ERADICATION TRUST FUND

SECTION 65. Creation of a Disease Compensation and Eradication Trust Fund. A Disease
Compensation and Eradication Trust Fund shall be provided for in the General Appropriations
Act annually and be held by the Authority. It shall not be reduced and shall not revert to the
General Fund even if the same is not used to a current fiscal year. An initial amount of Three
Hundred Million Pesos (P 300,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated to start the seed fund for the
Disease Compensation and Eradication ‘Trust Fund, subject to replenishment and increase to
such amounts as circumstances may require.

SECTION 66. Fund Utilization. The Fund shall be applied for the payment of
compensation to the owner of animals. It shall also be utilized for the payment of expenses
directly connected with controlling, eradicating or preventing the spread of any animal disease
that is notifiable, emerging or re-emerging, exotic and zoonotic including administrative
expenses.

SECTION 67. Coverage of Compensation. Only those animals that were stamped out
pursuant to the Depopulation Order issued by the Director General, as recommended by the
NAC-ADE and as approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, to prevent further spread of the
disease, should be indemnified. Dead animals due to notifiable, emerging or re-emerging, exotic
and zoonotic diseases are not compensable.

SECTION 68. Compensable Amount. The amount of compensation payable shall not be
more than sixty percent (60%) of the market value of the identified animals that are ordered
depopulated on account of a disease,

SECTION 69. Issuance of Compensation Guidelines. Guidelines for the payment of
compensation shall be prescribed by the NLVSA in consultation with stakeholders.

Chapter X

SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY (SPS) MEASURES,
TRADE FACILITATION AND HARMONIZATION

SECTION 70. International Harmonization. The NLVSA shall study and review national
standards on animal health, animal welfare and farm feed and food safety, participate in
international for a relative to formulation and adoption of international standards and
harmonize our national standards with relevant international standards.

SECTION 71. Certification Systems. The NLVSA shall, in consultation with stakeholders,
develop certification systems including third party certifications in animal health, animal
welfare, farm feed and food safety products, services and production in accordance with
national and international standards.

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SECTION 72. Equivalence and Other Types of Sanitary Agreements. The NLVSA, in
consultation with other agencies and stakeholders, shall develop, negotiate and implement
appropriate level of protection (ALOP) in relation to human and animal life in its territory, based
on the principle of equivalence and other types of sanitary and trade agreements with trading
partners such as, but not limited to, the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)
Measures of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

SECTION 73. Transparency. The NLVSA shall have the responsibility to notify the OIE
and/or the WTO SPS Committee of the country’s animal health, animal welfare and animal
production food safety sanitary and phytosanitary status and other relevant matters and inform
stakeholders on the changes in the regulations and decisions.

SECTION 74, Zoning. The NLVSA shall have the authority to apply for recognition to the
OIE the disease-free zones and shall implement relevant measures and practices to establish
and maintain these disease-free zones as based on physical boundaries.

SECTION 75. Compartmentalization. The NLVSA shall establish and maintain disease-
free areas within its territory in accordance with OIE recommendations.

Chapter XI
VETERINARY LABORATORIES

SECTION 76. Certification/Accreditation. The NLVSA shall be responsible for controlling
both government and private veterinary testing laboratories. Only duly certified accredited
veterinary testing laboratory facilities are allowed to do diagnostic, feed analysis and other
service. The NLVSA shall develop guidelines and standards in the certification /accreditation of
various veterinary laboratory facilities and establish quality systems towards international
certification

SECTION 77. Biosafety and Biosecurity. Standards and guidelines for laboratory
biosafety and biosecurity shall be established and practiced by veterinary and feed analysis
laboratories per national and international recommendations.

SECTION 78. Proficiency Testing. A system of quality assurance shall be developed and
implemented to ensure continuing proficiency and competency of certified /accredited diagnostic
and assay laboratories.

SECTION 79. Establishment of a Specialized Diagnostic Laboratory for Swine Diseases.
‘There shall be established a specialized laboratory for the diagnosis of swine diseases which
have grown in complexity in recent years and adversely affected all farms in the country.

Chapter XI
REGULATIONS ON ANIMAL FEEDS AND VETERINARY PRODUCTS

SECTION 80. Implementing Rules and Regulations. In consonance with RA 1556, as
amended, the NLVSA shall provide the necessary rules and regulations on the manufacture,
production, handling, storage, sale and use of veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs
and products, veterinary devices, 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 which have to be followed and
complied with for registration.

SECTION 81. Registration and Licensing. Each class, type, brand or trade mark of
veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs, veterinary devices, veterinary cosmetics, mixed
animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplements, feed additives, concentrates, base feeds, base
mixes, specialty feeds, special feed nutrient preparations, and other feed products, inclusive of
the establishments shall be registered individually and shall be assigned separate registration
numbers. A permanent Book of Records on the registration number, codes assigned on each

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product and indicated therein the class, type, brand or trade mark, technical description and
manufacturer/importer of each product registered shall be kept.

SECTION 82. Importation of Animal Feeds, Veterinary Biological Products, Veterinary
Drugs and Related Products. Importation of Animal Feeds, Veterinary Biological Products,
Veterinary Drugs and Related Products without valid SPS and permits shall not be allowed
entry, All in-transit shipments at the time of the occurrence of the foreign disease or contagion
shall be subjected to strict quarantine and laboratory testing, or automatically denied entry
and/or confiscation and disposal, as the NLVSA may determine, in the overriding interests of
protecting the animal and public health of the country.

SECTION 83. Temporary Revocation and Suspension of License or Permit, and/or
‘Stoppage of Production. Failure of any grantee of license or permit to comply with any of the
requirements provided in this Act or its implementing rules and regulations shall be sufficient
grounds for the immediate temporary suspension or revocation of such license or permit,
and/or stoppage of production and marketing for the particular product, with authority to
institute recall order for said product, subject to the institution of immediate formal proceedings
against the grantee or licensee.

Chapter XIII
ANIMAL AND LIVESTOCK TRADE PROMOTION

SECTION 84, Animal Industry Market Profiles. The NLVSA shall maintain a database of
national, regional, and local animal industry market profile to support the business
development of animal industries and allied industries. It shall, likewise, integrate marketing
information and develop a knowledge management system of the different
commodities/industries from national to local level.

SECTION 85. Country Animal Products Export Strategies. The NLVSA shall formulate
country animal products export strategies, conduct research and benchmark export/import
protocols, prepare industry analysis and reports of potential export market of the different
animal food commodities, and spearhead in the promotion of exportable products and by-
products to improve the performance of local agribusiness establishments producing these
tradable products and by-products.

SECTION 86. Contracting and Subcontracting Arrangement. The NLVSA shall facilitate
and coordinate any contracting and subcontracting arrangement between local and foreign
investors, as necessary to boost and improve the animal, animal products and by-products
export and local trading performance of the animal industry stakeholders.

SECTION 87. Export Incentives Program. The NLVSA shall formulate and implement the
guidelines and policies for the registration and certification of bona fide and eligible exporters
and facilitate and coordinate applicants and stakeholders that would like to avail of the different
export incentives programs of the NLVSA, Department of Agriculture and other government
agencies that are also providing related services to stimulate international marketing of
Philippine-made products.

SECTION 88. Livestock Business and Industry Strategic Development. The NLVSA shall
formulate and regularly update short-, medium- and long-term livestock business and industry
strategic development plans which will serve as guides and roadmaps for the development of the
different industries in the livestock sector cut across the agribusiness supply chain.

SECTION 89. Livestock Marketing Information System. The NLVSA shall strengthen the
livestock marketing information system through the development of database systems, printed
and online publications of marketing information which could be readily accessible to the input
suppliers, producers, marketers, processors, industry associations, government and other
stakeholders.

SECTION 90. Socio-economic and Marketing Research. The NLVSA shail strengthen the
utilization of social-economic and marketing research to maximize the benefit of the different

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methodologies and strategies of these interdisciplinary researches for the sustained growth and
development and the trade promotion of the country's animal industry products and services,
considering the social and economic factors that contribute to the increase in income,
employment generation, improvement of standard of living and quality of life of livestock
farmers, traders, processors, consumers, and in incorporating the socio-economic impact
assessment as integral part of any project, program and policy implementation by the NLVSA
and DA on the different industries/commodities.

SECTION 91, Marketing Information Governance. The NLVSA shall support the
development of marketing information governance to achieve a more transparent, effective
exchange and higher coverage of marketing information dissemination in a national scale, to
boost the competitive advantage, strategic and supply chain management of local livestock
farmers, traders, processors and other relevant stakeholders, considering the different bilateral
and multilateral trade agreements in which the country is already a part of and continually
complying with national commitments to efficiently compete in the local and in the international
market.

Chapter IV
UTILIZATION OF GOVERNMENT FARMS

SECTION 92. Public-Private Sector Participation. The NLVSA shall maximize the
economic potential of its various animal stock and research farms for the benefit of the animal
industry through joint government and private sector initiative and participation in the
utilization and development thereof.

SECTION 93. Use of Government Lands for Quasi-Public Purposes. All lands of the
government which have been reserved, donated, leased or acquired for animal stock farms or
breeding purposes are hereby reclassified or allowed for quasi-public purposes. The Secretary of
Agriculture, upon the recommendation of the NLVSA, in coordination with LGUs, shall have the
authority to enter into joint venture agreements over such lands with private individuals,
corporations and cooperatives with the end in view of maximizing their full potential for
livestock production purposes, processing and marketing in achieving the accelerated
development of the livestock industry in accordance with the currently approved zoning
ordinance.

Chapter XV
PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES

SECTION 94, 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 fails to report it to the LGU Veterinary Office or to the
NLVSA or to the RLVSO immediately within 24 hours by the quickest means possible shall be
fined for the first offense, the amount of Twenty thousand pesos (P 20,000.00) and for each
succeeding offense, imprisonment of ten (10) days.

SECTION 95. Obstruction of Duty. The farm or establishment owner, transport operator,
animal facility operator or any person acting in his behalf who disobeys, evades, obstructs or
hinders the NLVSA Director General, or any of his enforcement officers or deputized officers to
perform his duty shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P
20,000.00). A repetition of the same offense shall be punished by imprisonment of six (6)
months, and cancellation of the registration, permit or license of such person, farm or
establishment owner, or transport operator, whichever is applicable.

SECTION 96. False Statements. Any person who knowingly makes false declarations or
misleading statements in his application for license, certificate of product registration or permit
shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) and
imprisonment of six (6) months.

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SECTION 97. Non-registration of Transport Facilities and Equipments, Failure of the
owner to register vessels, vehicles, and equipments related to transport of animals, animal
products and by-products, animal feeds and feedstuffs, veterinary drugs, veterinary biological
Products, veterinary devices, and other products shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine
of Ten thousand pesos (P 10,000.00) and/or imprisonment of sixty (60) days.

SECTION 98. Non-observance of Prescribed Procedures. Any person or establishment
operator which (a) during the course of regular operations fail to observe NLVSA approved
procedures, or (b) during seizure, detention, or quarantine fails to seek clearance from NLVSA in
the handling, disposal, or destruction and removal of live or dead animals, animal products,
animal by-products, animal effects, veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs and
veterinary devices, animal feeds and feed ingredients, shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a
fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) and imprisonment of thirty (30) days.

SECTION 99. Unauthorized Operation and Use of Registration Number. Establishment
operators/owners found without a valid License to Operate from NLVSA or unlawfully using the
registration number of another feed, veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs and
products establishments shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of One hundred
thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) and imprisonment of thirty (30) days.

SECTION 100. Failure to Display and Use of Fake or Expired Registration Certificate.
Establishment operator found not displaying the Registration Certificate or displaying fake or
expired certificates in the premises of the establishment shall, upon conviction, be penalized by
a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P 10,000.00) and closure of said establishments for second
offense.

SECTION 101. Illegal Manufacture and Marketing of Animal Feeds, Veterinary Drugs
and Veterinary Biological Products. Any person or establishment operator engaged in the
manufacture, trade, importation, distribution, use or sale of banned, substandard, tampered,
adulterated, unregistered or damaged through improper handling of veterinary biological
products, veterinary drugs and products, veterinary devices, mixed animal feeds, feed
ingredients, feed supplements, feed additives, premixes, base feeds, base mixes, concentrates,
specialty feeds, specialty feed nutrient preparations and other feed products, in any form, shall,
upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) and
imprisonment of thirty (30) days.

SECTION 102. Ilegal Acts on Labeling and Use of Fake Veterinary Drugs 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 and veterinary devices, mixed animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed
‘supplements, feed additives, base feeds, base mixes, concentrates, specialty feeds, specialty feed
nutrient preparations and other feed products, in any form, shall be fined One hundred fifty
thousand pesos (P 150,000.00) and punished with imprisonment of sixty (60) days.

SECTION 103. illegal Use and Sale of Veterinary and Human Drugs. Any person found
to be using and selling unlawful or unauthorized veterinary or human drugs for animals raised
for human consumption shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a dine of Twenty-five thousand
pesos (P 25,000.00).

SECTION 104. Refusal to Vaccinate Animals. Refusal of an owner or caretaker to have
his animals vaccinated during outbreaks of notifiable and priority diseases, emerging or re-
emerging diseases and exotic diseases shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of not less
than Ten thousand pesos (P 10,000.00) and/or imprisonment of ten (10) days,

SECTION 105. Other Violations of this Act, Any person, officers of 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 by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P
50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) and/or

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imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than one (1) year, at the discretion of
the court.

SECTION 106. Exceptions Under Certain Conditions. Nothing in this Chapter shall be
construed as requiring the Director General 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 Advisory Committee described under Chapter IV hereof, and
recommended by the Director General to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval.

SECTION 107. Repeated Violation. Any person found to have committed a second
violation of the same offense shall suffer the penalty of fine and/or imprisonment prescribed for
said offense.

Chapter XVI
REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION PROCEEDINGS

SECTION 108. Institution of Complaint. The Director General, 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 NLVSA for violation of its
terms and conditions, or any provisions of the rules and regulations applicable thereto.

SECTION 109. 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 Director General, or in his unavailability, the deputy head of the Center for Animal Products
and Services Regulation shall act as Chairman with the Division Chief of the commodity
concerned and any other Division Chief of NLVSA, as may be designated by the Director
General, as members thereof.

SECTION 110. Powers and Functions. The Hearing Committee shall have the following
powers and functions:

1, To conduct formal investigations and hearings on the cases before it and make
recommendations for appropriate actions therein for approval of the Director General;

2, To administer oaths, issue summons and subpoenas requiring the attendance and
testimony of witnesses or the production of such books, papers, contracts, records,
statements of account, 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 therefor ranging from One thousand to Ten thousand pesos (P1,000.00-
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; and

‘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.

In any proceeding before the Committee, the parties may be represented by a legal
counsel. The Committee Report, when approved by the Director General, shall be final and
binding on the parties 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 XVII
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GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 111. Confidentiality of Technical Information. The NLVSA shall take such
measure 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 112. Regulatory Fees and Retention of Income.

1, The NLVSA 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 NLVSA.

2. All income of the NLVSA shall be deposited in an authorized government depository
bank as a special regulatory fund. Any interests earned 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, 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.

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 NLVSA 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 only to the general accounting rules and
guidelines by 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 NLVSA on
its own initiative or through an order or directive by any higher office. The NLVSA
shall submit annually to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Budget and Management
a report on how funds were utilized, including its accomplishments.

6. There shall also be established a legal fund out of the interest earned from the
retained income for use in case of legal actions against the officials and employees of
the NLVSA in the course of the exercise of their official functions and duties.

SECTION 113. Appointment of Veterinary Attaches. The Department of Agriculture
shall strengthen the international animal health, disease surveillance, and information
gathering capability by the appointment of veterinary attaches in countries that are major
livestock trading partners. In other countries, the NLVSA, subject to the approval of the
Secretary of Agriculture, and in coordination with other government entities concerned, may
requite Filipino representatives abroad and foreign-based personnel to assist in the collection of
data on animal health, disease surveillance, and other related information.

SECTION 114. Foreign and Local Grants and Aids. The NLVSA, in itself, or in
collaboration with other agencies, shall receive grants and other funds for its research activities
and various programs.

SECTION 115. Veterinary Education. The NLVSA, in coordination with CHED and
PVMA, shall regularly provide recommendations to make veterinary medical curriculum
responsive to the needs and imperatives of the animal industry.

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SECTION 116. Mandatory Review. The Congress of the Philippines shall undertake a
mandatory review of this Act at least once every five (5) years and as often as it may deem
necessary to ensure that veterinary policies and guidelines remain responsive to changing
circumstances.

Chapter XVII
‘TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 117. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The NLVSA shall formulate and
recommend to the Secretary of Agriculture the necessary rules and regulations for the full
implementation of this Act; Provided, However, that the formulated 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 the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of
general circulation and submission of three (3) certified copies thereof to the National
Administrative Register of the UP Law Center.

SECTION 118. Creation and Reclassification of Positions. The NLVSA 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 XIX
FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 119. Appropriations. The appropriations for the NLVSA 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.

The amount of One hundred million pesos (P 100,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for
the establishment of a specialized diagnostic laboratory for swine diseases as provided under
Section 79 of this Act.

SECTION 120. Repealing 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 Act No. 1578,
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. 9842, otherwise
known as the “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007”, and such other laws which are not consistent with this
Act shall remain valid and in full force and effect.

SECTION 121. 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 force and effect.

SECTION 122. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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