DA inaugurates PHP230M animal vaccine facility in Nueva Ecija

The Department of Agriculture inaugurated a vaccine facility in Nueva Ecija aimed at immunizing animals against diseases such as bird flu, African swine fever (ASF), and foot-and-mouth disease.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel emphasized the importance of developing vaccines based on local strains to prevent outbreaks more effectively and noted that the project is about empowering farmers with knowledge and veterinarians with resources.

Located at the Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (CenTrAD) at Central Luzon State University, the facility includes various laboratories for research and technology development, including a Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (BSL-3).

With an estimated cost of PHP230 million, CenTrAD is a joint project between the Bureau of Animal Industry and CLSU funded by the DA.

The agency has allocated PHP151 million to fund its three-year national animal vaccination program aimed at delivering vaccine prototypes by 2028 or sooner.

Since ASF's outbreak in 2019, the country's swine sector has suffered significant economic losses and job reductions.

Despite being considered FMD-free by the World Organization for Animal Health, the DA remains vigilant due to active cases in neighboring countries.