This was announced by Undersecretary for Livestock Constante Palabrica during the opening of the 32nd Meat Safety Consciousness Week in Quezon City. According to him, the procurement will be funded under the government’s repopulation program worth ₱1.6 billion (approximately USD 27 million), approved by Congress.
“The 2026 program will include the purchase of 30,000 young gilts for breeding to help rebuild the national herd and reinforce local production capacity,” said Palabrica.
The initiative aims to help farmers recover from the devastating African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks and ensure a stable supply of hogs for meat processors and retailers. It is also expected to strengthen the operations of slaughterhouses and support the country’s meat industry stability.
Palabrica emphasized the need to modernize local registered meat establishments (LRMEs) accredited by local governments. Many of these facilities, he said, still use outdated “floor dressing” methods — butchering carcasses directly on the floor — which fail to meet modern hygiene and food safety standards.
The DA plans to phase out these practices and align meat processing operations with national sanitary requirements, marking an important step toward modernization of the country’s meat industry.
The Undersecretary also noted that the livestock sector in the Philippines remains promising thanks to strong government support and continued investments in food security.
A recently enacted law provides for the creation of a National Livestock Development Fund with an annual allocation of ₱20 billion, aimed at financing disease control programs, infrastructure projects, and agricultural research.
Additionally, ₱100 million has been allocated for 2026, and a similar amount for 2027, to establish meat testing laboratories that will help improve quality assurance and compliance with food safety standards.
“The livestock sector in the Philippines holds tremendous potential. Our goal is to strengthen its foundation, modernize production, and ensure the country’s food security,” Palabrica concluded.
PigUA.info based on materials from philstar.com