Policy and purpose
- The guidelines treat zoning as an important regulatory measure for implementing a Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
- The guidelines require zoning distances between farms to help achieve economic development in agro-industry across municipalities.
- The guidelines establish regulated distances to prevent inter-farm contamination of diseases.
- The issuance protects existing livestock and poultry farms and supports prospective farms, including those intending to export livestock and poultry.
Covered farms and core distance rules
- Poultry farms must be located one (1) kilometer from the center of the national highway.
- Commercial swine and cattle feedlot farms must be located three (3) kilometers from the center of the national highway.
- Swine and poultry farms must maintain a minimum distance of at least one (1) kilometer from each other.
- Swine and poultry farms must maintain a minimum distance of at least one (1) kilometer from the boundary of built-up areas.
- The boundary of built-up areas is determined by the concerned Local Government Unit (LGU).
Measurement basis using waste facilities
- Distances are measured using the waste management facility as the basis.
- The measurement applies to distances between farms, from the national highway, and from the built-up areas using the waste management facility.
Waste management compliance requirement
- The waste management facility must be constructed in compliance with Environment Clearance Certificate (ECC) requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Inspection, coordination, and biosecurity
- The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) inspects farms through the Regional Field Unit (RFU).
- DA-BAI inspections are conducted in coordination with the LGU and special bodies created for the purpose.
- Farm inspections require observance of the farm’s biosecurity protocol.
Violations and penalties
- Any person who violates the order is penalized under Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8485, An Act to Promote Animal Welfare in the Philippines (Animal Welfare Act of 1998).
- Penalties for violations are governed by the “existing rules and regulations” under Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8485.
Transitional exemption for older farms
- The distance requirements do not apply to poultry and swine farms constructed before the approval of this order.
Exceptions through advanced technology
- Exceptions to the required distances from the national highway may be granted when there is application of advanced waste management technology.