SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

‘Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez an
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2
House Bill No. 3552
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.



SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

3552

House Bill No. _ 9

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:

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 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,

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 shall 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. - All 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,