BAI Participates in Resilient Philippines: Pandemic Fund Consultation Workshop

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) participated in the Resilient Philippines: Pandemic Fund (PF) Consultation Workshop held on January 20, 2025 at Seda Hotel, Quezon City. The workshop, which gathered key representatives from animal health, human health, and environmental sectors, emphasized the importance of a multi-sectoral approach in addressing pandemic risks.

The alignment of various sectors in developing a comprehensive action plan for the PF activities was the central objective of the workshop. Discussions covered assessments from the World Bank’s One Health Profile, a key tool in understanding the nation's preparedness and resilience in dealing with future pandemics. Participants were also tasked with recommending priority actions that could be integrated into the PF grant’s timeline and activities.

The workshop is part of the ongoing discussions on the utilization of the PF, with the Philippines being one of the 50 countries selected to receive the grant. This will help boost the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to emerging animal and human health threats. Participants, including BAI, explored strategies to streamline One Health activities across relevant sectors.

The Pandemic Fund grant will allow the Philippines to invest in crucial areas such as disease surveillance, early warning systems, laboratory infrastructure and the development of a skilled workforce. These efforts aim to strengthen the country's overall pandemic preparedness and response capabilities, which ensures a faster and more coordinated response to future health emergencies.