DA aims to improve strategies for a stronger livestock sector in Region 10.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Through a shared interest to strengthen the region’s livestock industry, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado met with DA Assistant Secretary for Ruminants Benjamin C. Albarece to discuss proposed refinements for the agency’s protocols and strategies geared at supporting local livestock farmers and producers in Northern Mindanao.

Held recently at the agency compound, the meeting drew stakeholders from the private and government sectors, as well as personnel from the agency’s regulatory bodies to tackle existing protocols and documentary requirements for the compliance of livestock farmers and producers who wish to export their livestock, and in particular, swine and pork products.

According to ASec Albarece, the meeting aims to gather inputs and insights on a proposed streamlining of DA regulations and protocols, that is receptive to the concerns and suggestions raised by local farmers and producers.

“These discussions are done in light of adapting to global standards for exporting livestock products. We discern how best we could assist and support the capacities of our local farmers and producers to export said agricultural commodity, especially now with the market becoming more competitive,” the DA official said.

One of the proposed measures to fine-tune said protocols is the conduct of a technical review of the documentary requirements for compliance, to determine which permits and certifications are most necessary and correspond to trade standards for export.

Also discussed in the meeting were strategies to enhance coordination between the DA, the local government units (LGUs), and the private sector for the efficient delivery of services.

“We have invited stakeholders from the local government to ensure our policies are more responsive to the needs of the LGU. The DA is pro-farmer and we hope that, through this cooperation and coordination, we make it easy [for our] farmers, as we navigate rising prices due to inflation,” Albarece said.

Key points and inputs gathered during the meeting will be escalated to the national level for appropriate action.

Expressing his support for the newly appointed assistant secretary, RED Collado reassured the region’s cooperation with the former’s office, to which he pins his hope of achieving more feats in Northern Mindanao under the Livestock program.

Present in support of the meeting were DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project Deputy Director Joel S. Rudinas, Regulatory Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, PhD, and Integrated Laboratories Division chief Viralou L. Tuquib, DVM.

Also in attendance were DA-Bureau of Animal Industry Regional Veterinarian Dale Franco B. Llentic, DVM, and Misamis Oriental Provincial Veterinarian Benjamin S. Resma, DVM, who also serves as the officer-in-charge of the Provincial Agriculture Office.# (GDA)