MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking P15 billion in funding for the livestock and poultry sector as it adjusts its financing strategy amid delays in the rollout of a competitiveness fund meant to boost the industry.
Due to the delays in the implementation of the P20 billion under the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF), the DA is seeking to restructure its budget proposal for the animal industry.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the restructuring would reduce the funding requirement to about P15 billion, allowing the remaining funds to be reallocated to other DA programs.
“Right now, it has a budget of about P4 billion and P20 billion under AnCEF. We need to restructure the budget, we will now request a budget of about P15 billion instead of P24 billion,” he told reporters.
Tiu Laurel added that the P8 billion to P9 billion funds that were freed up could now be allocated to other DA programs.
He noted that the DA is looking to expand funding for the National Dairy Authority’s stock farms to help improve the country’s dairy herd and boost local milk production.
Additional resources would also support the agency’s milk feeding program, which provides a stable market for dairy farmers while helping address child malnutrition.
The DA earlier said the P20 billion available under AnCEF may not be fully utilized until 2028 due to delays in completing documentary and procedural requirements with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
AnCEF was established under Republic Act 12308, or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, which seeks to provide long-term support for the country’s livestock and poultry sector.
The law created a 10-year competitiveness fund that allocates P20 billion annually for programs aimed at modernizing and expanding the animal industry. The fund is sourced from tariffs collected on imported animal products, including meat and dairy.