Students from countries with higher pork and chicken prices tend to have lower test scores, Senator Cynthia Villar said, citing a study of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-Programme for International Student Assessment.
She said pork and chicken are integral components of the Filipino dietto guarantee a balanced intake of nutrients.
“It is estimated that 52 percent of our protein consumption comes frompork and chicken, and this is projected to grow even higher to 58 percent in 2030,” the senator said.
Due to this, high meat prices could lead to protein deficiency and contribute to malnutrition, and may even affect learning outcomes.
Villar sponsored a bill seeking to strengthen the livestock, poultryand dairy industry that accounted for over a quarter of the agricultural sector’s output in 2023.
“It stimulates economic growth, especially in rural areas and provides livelihood opportunities to more than 2.8 million livestock and poultry farmers,” she said.