Palawan 3rd district Congressman Gil Acosta Jr. authored the House Bill 4628 for the establishment of College of Veterinary Medicine in Western Philippine University (WPU) in its main campus in Aborlan, Palawan in an effort to boost the poultry and livestock industry in the province and in the region.
WPU in Aborlan, Palawan, and with a campus in Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City is a state university established in 1910 as a farm school. The school was formerly known as Palawan National Agricultural College (PNAC) and later as State Polytechnic College of Palawan, it was officially converted in a state university in 2004, through Republic Act 9260. The university focuses on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, aiming for sustainable development in the region.
The measure will pave way for the offering of veterinary medicine courses in WPU-Aborlan which will be the first not only in the province of Palawan but also in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) region.
The bill will also address of the gap of the needs of the community, specifically in diagnosis of diseases affecting livestock.
“The WPU is very happy for the proposed bill for the establishment of veterinary medicine in Aborlan Palawan. With this ma answer po natin ang kakulangan ng mga veterinarian in Palawan and in Mimaropa region kasi wala pa pong nag o-offer ng DBM sa mimaropa if the bill will be approve tanging si WPU palang po ang meron so this will also improve the agriculture industry in the province of Palawan and in Mimaropa region kasi na-i-improve natin ang production sa poultry and livestock and especially mga diagnostic diseases and we can also build like animal diagnostic hub in the WPU located in Aborlan, Palawan. Kaya magandang opportunity kapag meron tayo mismo in Mimaropa and in Palawan para ma cater natin ang needs ng community,” Dr. Keivin Mark Ampode, Associate professor V of the WPU said in a video posted by the Office of Cong. Acosta.
He further said that there are more than 1,000 licensed veterinarian in the country, but he doesn’t have data, how many came from Palawan.
“We do not know kung meron bang mga taga Palawan doon so if in case meron na sa WPU that will be an advantage of the Mimaropa region po,” he said.
Since WPU has an existing agricultural programs, there are personnel who can be assigned in the veterinary program once formally created.
“WPU is preparing because we have agriculture program, yun na nga allied animal science elective so faculty members na human resource sa WPU can also teach in the veterinary program. But we need to add the human resource who are specialized in the field, yung mga veterinarian talaga to manage the program,” Dr. Ampode explained.
Cong. Acosta, the bill’s author sought the support of the public on the needed reforms that will contribute significantly for the long-term benefit of the community.
“Ang ganitong mga talakayan ay mahalagang ambag sa pagpapalalim ng kamalayan ng publiko at sa sama samang pagsuporta sa mga repormang naglalayong maghatid ng pangmatagalang benepisyo para sa ating mga komunidad,” he said.
The livestock and poultry industry is essential and necessary in Palawan for achieving local food security, providing sustainable livelihoods, and driving economic growth. A robust industry will reduce Palawan’s reliance on external food sources, boost the local farmers’ income through micro, backyard, and commercial livestock farming, and ensures a stable supply of affordable animal protein like meat and eggs.
