NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced b
resentative Rufus 8.
House Bill No.  5385
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 earnestly sought.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                            )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus a. Rodriguez
House Bill No.  53 85
AN ACT
ESTABLISHNG    A    DIAGNOSTIC    LABORATORY    TO    IDENTIFY    THE    DISEASES
AFFECTING LOCAL HOGS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be  it enacted  in the  Senate  and  House of Representatives Of the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled:
Secfi.on 7. Dec/arafi.on of Po/i.ey. - lt is the declared  policy of the state to develop
and  support the  livestock  industry in  the  country.    It  is  concerned  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.
Sectiop _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 shall recommend vaccines that shall counter such strains.
Secti.on.  3.  Approprl.ati.ons.    The  necessary  budget  to  establish  the  diagnostic
laboratory shall be included in the 2009 budget of the Department of Agriculture.
Secfi`on 4.       Ru/es  and  Regu/afi.ons.  -The  Department  of  Agriculture  shall
promulgate the  rules and  regulations for the effective enforcement of the  provisions of this
Act
Sect/-on  5.  Separabi-/i-fy  C/aLise.  -  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.
Secfi.on 6.    Repea/i.ng C/ause. -  All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Secfi-on  7.      Effecfr'y/-fy.    -    This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,