South Cotabato, Philippines — Livestock inspectors, meat inspectors, veterinarians, and AI technicians gathered to review programs, tackle animal health issues, and draft new strategies to better support livestock farmers in South Cotabato.
Dr. Byron Dela Cruz, Provincial Veterinarian, said the quarterly meeting aims to guarantee that farmers and consumers continue to gain from effective, scientifically supported, and community-focused services.
“Every vaccination drive, every slaughterhouse inspection, and every surveillance effort is more than just routine work—it is a direct investment in the health of our animals, the safety of our food, and the stability of our farmers’ livelihood,” Dela Cruz said.
The Artificial Insemination Program recorded 286 procedures from June to August 2025—226 for beef cattle, 8 for dairy cattle, and 52 for carabao.
These efforts yielded 36 confirmed calf births—32 from beef cattle, 2 from dairy cattle, and 2 from carabao. The results highlight the province’s commitment to boosting breeding efficiency and advancing genetic improvement to achieve higher livestock productivity.
The group also outlined plans for the upcoming Rabies Vaccination Drive and the “Alay sa Barangay” outreach program, that is both designed to promote animal welfare and safeguard public health in rural communities.
A Slaughterhouse Evaluation Report covering the first semester was presented to assess compliance with safety and quality standards.
Each municipality also shared its disease surveillance reports, underscoring the importance of early detection and rapid response in managing animal disease threats.
African Swine Fever (ASF) recorded 3,240 samples tested, all negative; Avian Influenza (AI) had 1,261 samples tested, all negative; Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) showed 34 samples tested, all negative; Rabies registered 11 samples tested, with 7 returning positive; Surra had 24 samples tested, all negative; and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) recorded 79 samples collected, with 75 confirmed negative and 3 samples still pending.
Dela Cruz stressed that the findings point to the province’s proactive steps to protect livestock and curb potential threats before they turn into outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the meeting recognized the Outstanding Swine Surveillance awardees. The municipalities of Lake Sebu and Tampakan were recognized for their exemplary efforts in safeguarding pig populations against disease threats.
Dela Cruz commended the dedication of the attendees, emphasizing the importance of their work in shaping the future of South Cotabato’s agricultural sector.
