RAC-ADCE convenes to strengthen NorMin animal industry

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Members of the Regional Advisory Committee on Animal Disease Control and Emergency (RAC-ADCE) gathered for their second quarterly meeting on June 18 to tackle key developments, strengthen coordination, and align efforts toward a more resilient and sustainable animal industry in Northern Mindanao.

Hosted by the Regulatory Division of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10, the activity served as a platform for government agencies, local government units (LGUs), veterinarians, the academe, and industry stakeholders to know updates on animal health and disease prevention initiatives, and livestock and poultry programs being implemented across the region.

RAC-ADCE Chair Rodner A. Tuquib, DVM, stressed the committee’s role in strengthening biosecurity measures and bolstering collaboration among stakeholders to protect animal health and sustain the sector.

He also outlined the committee’s priority directions, including closer engagement with industry associations, enhanced coordination with provincial, city, and municipal veterinary offices, beefed-up monitoring of border control and quarantine areas, and heightened information-sharing activities with farmers and animal sector stakeholders.

For the agency’s part, through its Regulatory Division, it presented updates on the implementation of DA Memorandum Circular No. 39, Series of 2025, which provides the guidelines on targeted vaccination as a complementary tool for the control of Avian Influenza. It focused on the identification of high priority areas for vaccination, eligibility requirements, vaccination program, biosecurity and monitoring measures, movement of vaccinated flocks, and management of affected vaccinated flocks, overall aimed at curbing the spread of the disease and its eventual eradication.

Updates were also relayed on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) surveillance activities in Region 10, including the adoption of the DA’s risk-based monitoring system to help sustain the country’s internationally recognized FMD-free status.

Meanwhile, the Livestock Program informed the body of the department’s available interventions for farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs), LGUs, and state universities and colleges. These include support for livestock and poultry multiplier farms, native animal development, loan windows, forage production and farm machinery assistance, tailored to boost the livestock and poultry sector.

The committee also exchanged insights and discussed concerns besetting the animal industry to assist in the formulation of policies and determine areas for collaboration.

Further, the event aligns with the ‘Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas’ vision of pushing for a proper balanced approach to the DA’s developmental and regulatory functions, while fostering stronger partnerships with the private sector and other industry stakeholders.# (CIA)