Perspectives of the livestock sector in the Philippines: A review

The Philippine livestock industry is a vital component in the country's agricultural sector. It contributes around 18.23 percent of the gross output value in agriculture and provides livelihood to many people living in rural areas, signifying its importance with regard to the country’s economy. The constantly increasing demand for animal protein associated with the increase of the world’s population led to the intensification of livestock production, realized through the various initiatives implemented by the government, such as the import of high producing purebreds of various species. This strategy greatly influenced the country's animal genetic resource's diversity and increased food animals' population; however, it impacted the native breeds of food animals. Understanding the characteristics, performance and value of native and exotic breeds is essential to prioritize their livestock industry existence. Thus, this paper aims to characterize various native and exotic breeds of livestock in the Philippines and assess the current conservation of native animals.


INTRODUCTION
The Philippines is chiefly an agricultural country, with crops and animal resources as a significant contributor to its gross domestic product. As part of the fastest-growing subsectors in the country's agricultural industry, animal production provides livelihood to more or less 2.2 million households in 2015, either as sole livelihood or as part of a more extensive farming system and ranked highest among the various sectors in terms total employment in 2016 (P.S. Galang, 2017). In 2019, the Philippine livestock sectors' gross output value was 328.1 billion pesos (5.65 billion euros), this amount to about 18.23% of the 1.8 trillion pesos (74.16 billion Euros) gross output value in agriculture in the same year which signifies its considerable contribution to the country's economy (Sanchez, 2020). Swine, cattle, water buffalo, and goats are the primary commodities in the Philippine livestock production sector, while sheep, horses, and rabbits slowly gain popularity and importance. Livestock production in the country is broadly classified into small-scale semisubsistence (backyard/smallholder) and commercial production systems. The classification is populationbased, where farms with less than 20 heads of adult animals, or less than 41 heads of young animals, or a combination of fewer than 20 heads of adult and 22 heads of young animals are considered backyard and those that raise more than these values are considered commercial farms (F.A.O., 2003). Combined, there are millions of farms in the country, of which is majorly contributed by backyard farms, while, officially registered commercial farms is very low (188 farms) D.A.-B.A.I., 2021). Operations from these two different production systems vary, as backyard farming relies more on local resources. In contrast, commercial farms rely more on importing animal genetic and feed resources and operating in intensive production systems involving primary animal commodities. However, the small-scale production system has an immense contribution to the country's supply of animal protein.
Most livestock species reared in the Philippines are under small-scale production ( Figure 1).
Furthermore, the said operation also plays a vital part in the rearing of native animals, which has contributed a lot to rural farmers' daily needs. However, with the introduction of exotic breeds, native breeds of livestock in backyard farms were negatively affected and this approach also influenced the great diversity of the country's animal genetic resource (F. A.O., 2013). In order to have a better view of this diversity, it is essential to have detailed information about the various breeds of livestock that makes up the said diversity and one of the reliable method to get such information is through characterization. Characterization is used to provide reliable information regarding the animals' genetic resource and is essential in initiating successful management strategies and programs (F.A.O., 2007). Therefore, such breeds' characterization can better understand their strengths and importance in the country's livestock industry and assess the country's initiatives for conserving native animals.

GENETIC RESOURCES IN THE PHILIPPINES
The presence of domestic animals in the Philippines began in the Neolithic and Metal Age where evidences of faunal remains from domestic animals (pig, water buffalo, deer, and dog) were retrieved from the upper layer of the Neolithic and Metal Age Nagsabaran shell midden site in Cagayan, Northern Luzon, Philippines (Amano et al., 2013). However, there is no solid proof of livestock domestication in that period. Large ruminants such as water buffalo and cattle's domestication, however, is proved by archaeological data, historical records and genomic evidence, which was believed to have occurred in the near east and Asia (Ajmone-Marsan et al., 2010;Pitt et al., 2018;Zhang et al., 2020). The Asian water buffalo which includes two subspecies (river and swamp-type) was independently domesticated in India about 5,000 years ago and in China about 4,000 years ago, respectively and spread throughout southern and southeast Asian regions as a valuable domestic animal (C. A.B.I.;Borghese, 2005). Cattle domestication was long before buffaloes, which is more than 10,000 years ago in the Near East (Bollongino et al., 2012;Pitt et al., 2018). These species introduction to the Philippines was influenced by the Chinese migrants and the Spanish colonizers (Bondoc, 1998). The swamp-type water buffalo (Carabao) is reared for its meat and draft power, while river-types such as Murrah are raised for meat and dairy. Cattle are also reared for meat and dairy, however the native cattle has its limitation in terms of milk production. Native breeds and crossbreds of these species (Figure 2 and 3) are usually reared for draft purposes essential to rural small-scale farmers (F.A.O., 2003). There are several types of native cattle in the Philippines classified based on their geographical location and phenotype. Through microsatellite genotyping Aquino et al. (2006) discovered that these populations descended from three parental populations: zebu (Bos indicus), taurine (Bos taurus) and banteng (Bos banteng).  The small ruminants (sheep and goats) raising in the country are dominated by smallholder farmers and an excellent secondary income source. Typically, households in rural areas own diverse livestock species as they help them in their everyday lives. In some homes, goats are primarily raised for their consumption. Its meat (chevon) is prepared in many dishes, especially during special occasions such as birthdays and festivals; this makes its population higher than sheep (P.S.A., 2020a). It is believed that the native goats in the country originated from wild goats of western Asia, which Arab and Chinese traders introduced between the 7 th to 9 th centuries B.C. (Devendra 1983;Bondoc, 1998). They exist in various colors, mainly black-brown and some have mixed color of brown, black, reddish-brown and white ( Figure 4). They have small body size with an adult weight of only 15 to 30 kg. The does can only produce 66 kg of milk over a lactation period of 187 days, which is just enough for their kid. Its carcass attributes is poor compared to purebreds and upgrades signifying its low productive performance compared to exotic breeds (Malvaz, 2019;Nayga et al., 2015). The exotic breeds of dairy type (Anglo-Nubian, French Alpine, La Mancha, Saanen, and Toggenburg) and meat type (Jumna Pari and Boer) goats were introduced in the country before the second World War in the hopes of supplying the demand of meat and milk through crossbreeding as well as raising the said purebreds (Bondoc, 1998). This initiative gave rise to commercial farms, of which goats are reared either extensively or intensively. However, chevon and mutton are still rare in the public market compared to pork, beef, and poultry, which indicates its low supply. Sheep in the country are raised mainly for their meat. However, it was believed that the Philippine sheep originated from merino introduced to the country during the Spanish era (1521 to 1898). Little or no interest has been explored for sheep's wool; they are reared mainly for the same purpose as goats in rural households, but it is less popular than goats.
The previously mentioned livestock species above are far behind pigs in terms of popularity and importance in providing additional income to farmers and supplying the meat demand in the market (D.O.S.T.-P.C.A.R.R.D., 2016). The first domestication of pigs was in the Near East between 8,500 and 8,000 cal BC. (Caliebe et al., 2017). In the Philippines, it is believed that, domestic pigs were introduced around 4,000 years ago where the Chinese migrants brought them via Taiwan and the Spaniards' influence during the Spanish era (Bondoc, 1998;Piper et al., 2009).The genetic resource of pigs in the country is highly diverse and is classified into exotic standard purebreds, synthetic hybrids, Philippine wild pigs (black), and Philippine native pigs (either black or black with a white belly) (Oh et al., 2014).However, the exotic breeds of pigs and their crosses are highly productive. Some rural farmers still engage in rearing native pigs, which aided in their daily living. Through the years of domestication and with the influence of exotic breeds, the native pigs were considered mongrels and have varied characteristics depending on the region where they are found (Baguio, 2017). To improve the productive performance of indigenous pigs and its purification, the Philippine government through the  There are various preparations for its meat, but the most popular is roasting it whole (Lechon). There is a steady increase in this product's demand as its meat is healthier than exotic breeds' meat, based on its higher crude protein and ash content and lower calorie levels from fat and cholesterol (Dela Cruz, 2016). When slaughtered at the right weight (20 to 25 kg), the said product is flavorsome and its carcass recovery is comparable to commercial or exotic breeds (Abanto et al., 2012;Bondoc et al., 2017). This commands a competitive price in the market, which is beneficial to local farmers (Brion, 2016). Details regarding the history, utilization, performance, and comparison of the various native and exotic breeds of livestock in the country are presented in Table 1, 2a, 2b, 2c, and 3, respectively.  Reared by smallholders due to their low input and adaptability to local environmental conditions.  Its productivity varies (mature weight of 40 to 60 kg in 6-8 months, average litter size at birth and after weaning is 8.2 and 6.75, respectively) depending on the region and management. Bondoc, 1998, Santiago, 2010, TPS, 2020aOh et al., 2014, Bondoc et al., 2017   1 Breeds of cattle that were introduced in the country are classified into various types ( a beef, b dairy and c dual-purpose) which came from tropical and temperate countries all over the world. There also some d composite breeds, however its population is quite low. Although there were a lot of various breeds introduced in the country only few breeds remain, particularly those breeds that are well adapted in the country's climatic condition such as Brahman (F. A.O., 2003). With this, crossbreeding of exotic and Philippine native cattle was rampant leading to the non-descript cattle population in the country (Bondoc, 1998). Philippine Carabao Center, National Beef Cattle Research and Development Center

Meat
 Popular terminal sire in the country.
Yields high lean meat, but it is often associated with Porcine Stress Syndrome's halothane gene, limiting its use in commercial farms. TPS, 2020e, Arganosa et al., 1988, Bondoc, 1998F.A.O., 2003 1 Importation of exotic breeds of goats in the country is facilitated by the BAI, a Department of Agriculture (DA) component.

POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS OF ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCE IN THE PHILIPPINES
The country's concern for animal genetic resources began in the 1935 Constitution of the Philippine Government when it first expressed its intention to "conserve and develop the nation's heritage." This has led to government agencies' establishment that focuses on agriculture (Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Bureau of animal industry and Bureau of plant industry). This was made more explicit when the government declared that "The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. It shall support indigenous, appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities and their application to the country's production system and national life". This gave birth to the importation of exotic breeds to either replace and or upgrade the local stocks. During World War II, the majority of the improved and exotic stocks were wiped out. After the war, the country had the chance to renew its importation of large numbers of exotic breeding stocks with the United States Government's help. This was the beginning of the nationwide dissemination of exotic breeds through the dispersal program (F.A.O., 2003).
With the government's aim to increase the population of exotic stocks in the country, it provided generous incentives that promote private importers of commercial breeding stocks of livestock and poultry animals. In 1976, the Livestock Development Council (L.D.C.) was created under the Department of Agriculture administrative supervision to develop a livestock industry and increase the supply of livestock and livestock products and attain selfsufficiency in food commodities of animal origin. Since then, along with the B.A.I.-Animal Genetic Resource improvement and Conservation Program, various programs were created, specific to the various commodities (Table 4), and shaped the Philippine livestock industry. Although exotic stocks are massively produced, smallholder farmers continued to keep indigenous stocks. However, generations of crossbreeding led to the reduction of native breeds, particularly on the commodities that are intensively reared (swine), and increased the population of non-descript breeds of Livestock in the country. Understanding and accepting safe and healthy food from natural origin is usually neglected in commercial livestock production. Currently, this is the trend, but is still limited to people that can afford the said product. This situation, gave rise to the country's interest in the native animal's potential to attain such a product. This was then given preferential attention by the D.A.-B.A.I. and created the Philippine Native Animal Development program through the Administrative order issued by the former Agricultural Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in August 2, 2010. The aim was to conserve and utilize native food animals and recognize its opportunity to provide income and alleviate poverty in rural areas. With its proven potential, the said program was presented and proposed in the Republic of the Philippines' sixteenth Congress under the senate bill no. 2674(Legacy.senate.gov.ph, 2015Lesaca, 2016). Since then, the proposal of the Philippine Native Animal Development Act was formulated and highlighted the creation of the Philippine Animal Development Center (P.N.A.D.C.), National Livestock and Poultry Genetics (N.L.P.G.), and Native Animal Genetic Centers (N.A.R.S.C.). This has a great impact on the popularity of native animals as these can be linked to academic institutions which engage in research and development and can spread awareness of the said program to the community through extension projects. TPS, 2020e 1 Based on average performance, 2 Based on farmers' interest 3 These are the famous and mostly raised exotic breeds in the country, 4 Only breeder farms and genetic companies can raise these purebreds. Market hogs in the country are often 3-way and or 4-way cross from these highly productive breeds, a native breed requires low input. In contrast, exotic breeds require moderate to high inputs.

CONCLUSIONS
Native and exotic breeds of livestock in the Philippines greatly differ in character, adaptability and production performance. The introduction of modern genotypes of livestock made a significant contribution to the development of the Philippine livestock industry and with their competitive advantage over the native breeds jeopardized the existence of the latter and led to an increase of nondescript animals. Despite the fact that native breeds of livestock have low productive performance, they can be reared with low inputs and are potential source of healthy animal protein and commands a competitive price in the market. Realizing the potential of the native animals, the government created conservation programs and encouraged farmers into rearing the said animals. Satisfying the country's need for affordable animal protein, while maintaining the local animal genetic resource is a great challenge that can be possibly addressed through intensification and creation of a systematic production approach led by the government and involves both the cooperation of smallholders and commercial farmers. Such challenge is a crucial deciding factor for prioritizing certain breeds of livestock that can give the most benefit to the said industry. Therefore, a confident approach that could satisfy the said need without neglecting the importance of the native breeds as well as having the least impact on the environment can be a solution for this matter. The government had already made the first step, through its various livestock programs that are handled by the respective responsible agencies and with good management, along with the farmers' cooperation and acceptance, it is possible for the country to secure the said need and conserve the native animals.

The
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme supported this work. Great appreciation goes to the Philippine Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry-Animal Health and Welfare Division for providing the relevant information.