Vaccine center combats animal diseases

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija — The Philippines will no longer depend on foreign help with the inauguration of the Vaccine Development Center in this city which will help combat animal diseases in the country.

During the inauguration of the Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (CenTrAD) in Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this is one of the primary goals of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in preventing animal disease outbreaks.

“This facility will be at the forefront in the battle against dreadful animal diseases such as African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza that aim to terrorize the livelihood of the Filipino farmers,” Laurel added.

Laurel led the inauguration of the facility, along with stakeholders in the agriculture and science sector, including DA Undersecretary for Livestock Dante Palabrica, DA-RFO III Regional executive director Eduardo L. Lapuz Jr., CLSU President Dr. Evaristo Abella, DA National Livestock Program chief Dr. Claro N. Mingala and CenTrAD Director Dr. Virginia M. Venturina.

“It is high time that the Philippines formulate our own solutions, using the wisdom and skills of local experts without relying on foreign assistance. With the new facility, we can now immediately respond to any animal outbreaks in the country,” he added.

The new facility, he said, will boost the protection of the farm animals and ensure a more stable livelihood for Filipinos who rely on livestock and poultry. He added that the facility will also be used as a training and research center for experts, teachers and students who wish to broaden their knowledge in animal health.

'It is high time that the Philippines formulate our own solutions, using the wisdom and skills of local experts without relying on foreign assistance.'

“This facility is a symbol of our aspirations to strengthen the livestock sector, protection of livelihood and a robust future for agriculture. With the use of science, cooperation and dedication, the Vaccine Development Center will help create a better agricultural landscape for the Philippines,” Laurel said.

The construction for the Vaccine Development Center started in 2019 and was completed in 2022, with an allotted budget of P230 million, with the DA adding another P151 million for the three-year program in the development of vaccines, with a date of completion by 2028.