Philippines Enacts Landmark ₱200-Billion Law to Transform Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Sectors

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In a sweeping move to modernize the Philippines’ agricultural backbone, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law the Republic Act No. 12308, or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act (AIDCA)—a ₱200-billion, decade-long investment designed to strengthen the nation’s livestock, poultry, and dairy industries.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. hailed the measure as a “turning point” for Philippine agriculture, emphasizing its role in achieving food security and economic resilience.

“It is fitting that this long-awaited law to develop the livestock, dairy, and poultry sectors will take effect around the time we celebrate World Food Day on October 16,” Tiu Laurel said. “The future development of these sectors will not only enhance food security, but also attract new investments, improve farmer incomes, and generate more jobs.”

Signed on September 25 and set to take effect by mid-October following publication in the Official Gazette, AIDCA lays the groundwork for a modern, science-driven, and globally competitive livestock sector.

A Stronger Institutional Backbone

At the heart of the new law is the elevation of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) into a line agency under the Department of Agriculture, granting it greater regulatory authority and operational independence. The reform also expands the mandates of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the National Dairy Authority (NDA)—empowering them to lead initiatives in biotechnology, animal breeding, and vaccine development.

By bolstering local capacity for vaccine production and disease control, the Philippines aims to reduce reliance on imports and fortify its defenses against major animal health threats such as African Swine Fever (ASF), Newcastle Disease, and Avian Influenza.

The ₱20-Billion Annual Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund

A key feature of AIDCA is the establishment of the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF)—a ₱20-billion yearly allocation sourced from tariffs on livestock, poultry, and dairy imports. The fund is designed to fuel repopulation, research, and infrastructure investments across the animal production value chain.

Of this allocation:

• 26% will go toward repopulation and herd build-up, divided into 70% for the hog industry, 20% for poultry, and 5% each for native and other animal breeds.

• ₱1.2 billion will be used for animal health promotion;

• ₱1.8 billion for biosecurity recovery and response efforts; and

• ₱7 billion to modernize postharvest infrastructure, including slaughterhouses and cold storage facilities.

Feed development, affordable credit access, and farm mechanization are also key priorities under the fund, aligning with the administration’s broader agricultural modernization agenda.

Building Resilience and Competitiveness

The AIDCA underscores a long-term vision: transforming the Philippines from a heavily import-dependent meat economy into a self-sustaining and competitive producer within the next decade.

“This law is more than a funding mechanism—it is a bold commitment to the people who feed our country,” Secretary Tiu Laurel said. “It marks a turning point for Philippine agriculture—one that empowers farmers, protects consumers, and prepares our food systems for the future.”

Experts have described the passage of AIDCA as the most significant policy reform for the livestock and dairy industries in decades—one poised to boost domestic production, attract private sector investment, and create tens of thousands of rural jobs.

As the law takes effect in mid-October, coinciding with global observances of World Food Day, the Philippines steps into a new era of agricultural revitalization—one that aims to ensure not only food security, but food sovereignty for generations to come.