Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar (Center, in green) during the 2024 Philippine Poultry Show and ILDEX Philippines event (Rep. Villar's office)

House Deputy Speaker Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar says she is committed to pushing for the approval of measures in the House of Representatives that aim to protect and improve poultry industries.

This, as she stressed the need to support the sector amid the challenges it is currently facing.

"Our poultry sector is faced with numerous challenges: the presence of Avian Flu, the high input cost of feeds, and disease treatments that significantly affect poultry meat and egg production," said Villar.

The congresswoman noted that there are also importation woes that affect the entire chicken value chain—from poultry owners to street food vendors.

"We have to support our chicken and poultry industries," she emphasized.

Villar gave this assurance during the recently-concluded Philippine Poultry Show and International Livestock, Dairy, Meat Processing and Aquaculture Exposition (ILDEX) Philippines event.

She represented her mother, Senator Cynthia Villar, at the event. Senator Villar is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.

The deputy speaker specifically vowed to push for the House’s approval of the counterpart measure to the Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industry Development and Competitiveness bill in the Senate.

Sponsored in the Senate by Senator Villar, the measure embodied in Senate Bill (SB) No. 2558 was already approved on third and final reading.

Meanwhile, the younger Villar pointed out that the poultry sector has made significant contributions to the Philippine economy. She specifically highlighted its provision of employment and its furthering of food security.

During the first quarter of this year, the industry has already accounted for P68.76 billion.

"Chicken delivers vital nutrients for all age groups, including potassium, vitamin D, iron, and calcium; while egg is also a powerhouse of disease-fighting nutrients, high-quality protein, iron, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids," she added.