President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is confident that the Philippines can overcome the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on the country’s poultry, livestock, and aquaculture industries.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate)
“The problem with the water I think is solvable when it comes to, in terms of the livestock. Ang mahihirapan sa crops. Sa fisheries, hindi gaano (We will only have a hard time on crops. On fisheries, not so much), as you can imagine. So, I think I’m confident that when it comes to livestock and the broilers, the hogs, and the cattle,” Marcos said in a media interview.
The President believes that if the government is able to fix the system, the expected impacts of El Niño, including food supply, will be handled well.
“If we continue to be able to fix the systems and now of course ang pinakamalaking issue ay yung ASF pa rin at saka yung Avian influenza. So, dahan-dahan mukhang nakokontrol naman natin at nakikita natin magandang supply dito sa atin ngayon. Hindi naman masyadong magalaw yung presyo, medyo stable (the biggest issue now is the African Swine Fever and Avian influenza. So, I think we will be able to control it slowly and we are seeing a good supply now. Prices are somehow stable)," Marcos said.
Marcos further said that as long as the country continues to develop more and take advantage of all of the new available vaccines, it can fight diseases affecting the industries.
“I think kakayanin natin i-sustain. Hindi lamang i-sustain ito pero pagandahin pa natin, palakahin pa natin (I think we will be able to sustain. Not only sustain but let's improve it, and expand it). Make it more efficient, make it more streamlined,” he said.
During the Livestock Philippines Expo 2023 opening at the World Trade Center on Wednesday, July 5, the President said the government is implementing the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program, with more than 430 farmers’ cooperatives and associations benefitting from the program.
He also announced the completion of phase one of the safety and efficacy trials for the ASF vaccines, and the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product certification process for the vaccines while phase two trials are underway.
The government is also making progress in the procurement of Avian Influenza vaccines, he said.
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