FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2575

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 10, Article XIV of the Constitution states that science and
technology are essential for national development and progress. State shall
give priority to research and development, invention, innovation and their
utilization

Swine production in the Philippines consists of 70 percent backyard
raising and 30 percent in commercial operations. Last year, about 30 percent of
the country’s backyard swine farms were wiped out and more than 20 percent
of commercial farms were adversely affected by swine diseases, including a
strain of the porcine reproduction and respiratory syndrome. About 60,000 out
of the 300,000 sows in Central Luzon had died due to diseases. The problem
is we have no proper diagnostic laboratory to identify the disease strains that
hit local hogs so we do not know what vaccine we should administer. The
industry up to now didn’t know what particular strains hit their farms. It is for this
reason that there is a need for a state-of-the art diagnostic lab that can properly
identify these diseases.

This bill seeks for the establishment of a diagnostic laboratory to
diagnose the diseases that hit local hogs. Further, such laboratory shall also
maintain surveillance and shall monitor the diseases to determine their possible
transmission to humans as well as other animals. The early detection of the
diseases is critical to control the diseases, to avoid their transmission to
humans and to limit the economic losses of the country. Further, the
establishment of a diagnostic laboratory is essential to ensure a nutritious and
disease-free source of animal food products for consumers. Furthermore, it is
also important to note that consumer prices are affected by the health and
disease status of hog production.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought

IGUEZ

MAXIMO'B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__ 2079

AN ACT
ESTABLISHNG A DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY TO IDENTIFY THE
DISEASES AFFECTING LOCAL HOGS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the state
to develop and support the livestock industry in the country. It is concemed in
protecting the industry from diseases that adversely affect it The early
detection of the diseases that affect the local hog industry is critical to control
the diseases to prevent death of the hogs and to limit the economic losses of
the country. Further, the establishment of a diagnostic laboratory is essential to.
ensure a nutritious and disease-free source of animal food products for
consumers

Section 2. Establishment of a Diagnostic Laboratory for Local
Hogs. The Department of Agriculture shall establish a state of the art
Diagnostic Laboratory to Prevent Diseases for Local Hogs. The laboratory
shall study and identify the disease strains that hit local hogs and shalt
recommend vaccines that shall counter such strains.

Section. 3. Appropriations. The necessary budget to establish the
diagnostic laboratory shall be included in the 2009 budget of the Department of
Agriculture

Section 4. Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Agriculture
shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective enforcement of the
provisions of this Act

Section 5. Separability Clause. ~ Should any provision of this Act or
any part thereof be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are
‘separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6. Repealing Clause. - Ail laws, orders, issuances, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation

Approved,