private groups during the LDC Governing Council meeting.

     As sectoral issues were presented, Secretary Yap instructed concerned members to prepare a joint action plan to address presented problems of the industry. He instructed industry key players to note in their plans, on the following areas: 1) impact on food security for each sector; 2) context in increasing rural incomes; 3) how DA and all sectors can work together in stabilizing supply and consumer prices; 4) specify goal 2 by looking at coconut and sugar lands with livestock; and, 5) market plan to include export promotion. He also ordered for an increase participation and coordination with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Land Reform (DLR) to maximize fund utilization and sustain cooperation with Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for logistics movement.

     Secretary Yap reiterated the critical role of LDC in bridging the gaps in the supply chain of livestock, thus, urging the LDC executive committee to meet more often and to include Mr. Jess Binamira as GMA-Corn Coordinator. He stressed the need to keep him updated on corn harvest/supply available for the 2nd quarter/semester of 2005 and for Mr. Binamira to call Usec Lasam for update on corn prices. Instruction was given to NFA to boost corn buying and linkage between NFA, producers and users. The Regional Field Units (RFUs) and Assistant Regional Directors (ARDs) were encouraged to link up with Mr. San Diego and Mrs. Agbayani in order to launch “Philippine seal mark” for chicken and other products for export. This is one of the strategies to compete with cheap imported chicken processed in the country and exported as Philippine products. LDC and NMIS should take care of classification and identification of regional and provincial production areas and support to dressing plants. These two

     Also, Director Ocampo and Mr. San Diego were asked to review the submitted communication plan of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on egg promotion. While stressing the need to lessen the cost of the communication plan, he urges LDC and the egg board to take advantage of the KBP-PIA agreement for free airtime, he also asked to include LGUs participation and the possible nstitutionalization and integration of an egg feeding fund with the milk feeding program. The Secretary asked for a sensitivity analysis on the cost of milk for the National Milk Feeding Program vis-à-vis cost of egg. He instructed LDC to take the lead in the preparation, packaging and implementation of the communication plan.

     The Secretary ordered for regular excom meetings and sustained dialogue with the private sector to avoid the 2003 shortage in broiler supply and collapse of farm gate price in 2004. He told the members to include in the excom agenda the exclusion of Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) in MAV list and the reduction in tariff from 40% to 20%.

     In line with this, he expressed his agreement on the extension of MAV fund after June 2005. Likewise, on the extension of ACEF utilization, Secretary Yap cannot guarantee for its extension although he informed the group that project proposals for funding can still be submitted until such time decision has been made. He urged private sector to forward their position/sentiments on

LDC Executive Director Pedro O. Ocampo (3rd from left) and Deputy Executive Director Felix G. Valenzuela (2nd from right) with LDC staff (from left Lulu, Cris, Tonette, Lina, Carol and Bing partly hidden) who received various recognitions during the LDC hat party held in commemoration of the 29th year anniversary celebration of LDC, March 29, 2005, LDC Conference Room, DA, Diliman, Quezon City.

ACEF to the Senate.

     On E.O. 376, Secretary Yap said DA will prepare response to clarify the extension and provisions of the E.O. 376 on the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) governing the granting of tariff exemptions on the importation of agricultural inputs, machinery and equipment.

     On A.O. 39, BAI Director Dr. Jose Q. Molina was tasked to act on Administrative Order regarding revised rules, regulations, and standards governing the importation of meat and meat products into the Philippines; to follow up release of fund balance from PCSO for Avian Influenza Protection Program; and, to finalize the plan and the need for a report on indemnification/compensation protocol. Likewise, BAI, PABI and LDC will join forces to conduct regional summit on Avian Flu.

     For the goat industry, linking with cooperators like Danny Suarez of Quezon and personalities from Ilocos for the preparation of a prevention and control program for the Caprine Acute Encephalitis (CAE) in goat was being encouraged. The program will be a partnership with the DA, LGU and the private sector. According to the Secretary, goat program must advocate for confinement and nucleus production concept. He asked the NMIS to report and update him on the status of the Halal program and explore possibility of exporting goat to Middle East and halal slaughter. Secretary Yap also urges the duck industry to explore export market for “balut” especially in Hongkong and Middle East.

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