Issuing authority and designation
- The Order is issued by ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
- The Secretary designates the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) as the lead livestock agency for GIP-related biotechnologies.
- The designation covers work not only in carabao, but also in cattle and small ruminants.
Legal basis and relevant DA authorization
- The Secretary acts “in accordance with the powers vested in me.”
- The Order relies on A.O. 21, Series of 2005, which authorizes DA livestock agencies to undertake Livestock Biotechnology.
- The Order identifies the PCC as one of the DA livestock agencies authorized under A.O. 21, Series of 2005.
Policy and program rationale
- The Order affirms the increasing role of ruminants as sources of food (meat and milk) and livelihood among smallhold farming families due to growing demand for animal-origin food.
- The Order states a recognized need to enhance the Genetic Improvement Program (GIP) in farm animals, particularly ruminants, to support a DA-led national program to improve livestock production and food security.
- The Order recognizes that GIP in ruminants is constrained by biological parameters, including long generation intervals and limited number of offspring per birth.
- The Order states that reproductive biotechnologies—embryo transfer, IVM/IVF embryo production, and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)—can hasten genetic improvement and increase selection accuracy.
- The Order states that gene-based technology—Marker Assisted Selection (MAS)—can hasten genetic improvement and increase selection accuracy.
Coverage: target species and lead agency role
- The PCC is designated to carry out GIP-related biotechnologies in carabao.
- The PCC is designated to carry out GIP-related biotechnologies in cattle.
- The PCC is designated to carry out GIP-related biotechnologies in small ruminants.
- The PCC is designated as the lead livestock agency responsible for these GIP-related biotechnology efforts.
Coordination and implementation obligations
- The PCC must coordinate with other livestock agencies in implementing the GIP-related biotechnologies.
- The Order identifies the Bureau of Animal Industry as a coordination partner.
- The Order identifies the National Dairy Authority as a coordination partner.
- The Order directs coordination with other concerned institutions involved in related livestock biotechnology and genetic improvement efforts.
Approvals and signatures
- The Secretary who issued the Order is ARTHUR C. YAP.
- The Order is recommended for approval by JESUS EMMANUEL M. PARAS, Undersecretary for Field Operations and Fisheries, Livestock & Regulation.
- The Order reflects adoption on 10 March 2008.