The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P151 million for a three-year animal vaccine development program aimed at addressing infectious diseases such as African swine fever (ASF), foot and mouth disease (FMD), and bird flu.
This initiative includes the construction of the country’s first Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory for research on harmful bacteria.
A vaccine facility at the Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (CenTrAD) in Nueva Ecija was inaugurated to help develop these vaccines, with prototypes expected by 2028.
The program responds to the significant economic losses caused by ASF and bird flu outbreaks, which have severely impacted the local livestock industry and food security.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel emphasized the importance of locally developed vaccines, which are more effective in preventing disease outbreaks and supporting the nation’s agricultural future.
Source: PhilNews24 | April 10, 2025
