Food and Drug Administration director general Samuel Zacate and Department of Agriculture assistant secretary Dante Palabrica led in the oath taking of the new set of officers of the Association of Veterinary and Agri-Quality Assurance Laboratories of the Philippines, Inc.
Chemist Pinky Tobiano, recently inducted president of the Association of Veterinary and Agri-Quality Assurance Laboratories of the Philippines, Inc. (AVAQAL), led in the recent oath taking of fellow of officers.
Formerly known Association of BAI-registered Laboratories, a recognized testing facility, ABAIL was founded 16 years ago by Dr. Edna Zenaida Villacorte.
ABAIL’s objective is to come up with good, quality veterinary medicines for animals mainly used for agricultural purposes. Despite the change in name, AVAQAL, under Tobiano’s leadership, remains true to its founder’s vision and objectives.
“Before, it was the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) that regulated all veterinary drugs,” Tobiano informed. “Now, there’s a transition, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s a big change in veterinary and feed quality assurance laboratories. With this association, we can help those who make local veterinary medicines for pigs, chicken, dogs and animal feeds.
“It’s a guide to be able to monitor quality control in laboratories by coming up with a set of the standards and compliance measures,” she added. “We share ideas on testing and foster a spirit of camaraderie. The organization raises issues as a group. It’s the voice of all those who raise hogs, the veterinarians, and those who make medicines for these animals. As a group, we’re stronger than individuals standing alone.”
Guest speakers for the event were Samuel Zacate, FDA director general, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano and Assistant Secretary Dante Palabrica.
“From AVAIL, we are now the Association of Veterinary and Agri-Quality Assurance of the Philippines or AVAQAL,” said Tobiano.
“We’re a group of laboratory owners and veterinary manufacturers whose objective is to come up with quality veterinary medicines. Our vision is to be the leading association in the Philippines that serves as a vital bridge between veterinary and agriculture quality assurance laboratories and government agencies. We are committed to ensuring regulatory compliance and excellence in all quality control standards.”
BAI and FDA have a list, for instance, of fake medicines for animals. “Our association has quality control practices, so we monitor the fake medicines. What is important is that the medicines or feeds that people buy for the animals are registered with BAI and FDA,” Tobiano said.
“Our association has laboratories that manufacture medicines for animals,” she shared. “We united those manufacturers to address problems, so government can help us find solutions.”
Tobiano emphasized the transition that happened recently. “Before, we registered with the BAI, but now, it’s with the FDA,” she emphasized. “We are asking them to help us and guide us through the change. “We hold individual offices, so we scheduled to meet once a month. This is our very first forum.”
A chemist by profession for close to 40 years, Tobiano is also known for her tablescaping ventures and philanthropic endeavors.
As president and member of of AVAQAL, Tobiano represents Progressive Laboratories. She is joined by new officers Herbert Mendoza, vice president (Lipa Quality Control Center), Jessa Jane Mariano, secretary (Hoc Po Feeds Corporation), Chiqui Canlas, treasurer (Qualibet Testing Services Corporation), Leonardo Agoyaoy, auditor (Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation) and Yehlen Salilid Borja, director (FAST Laboratories).
Before the current month is over, AVAQAL will push for the regulatory compliance for veterinary laboratories and third party testing laboratories by the FDA.
By September, a seminar dedicated to understanding and implementing BAI regulatory compliance for feed testing laboratories.
October will be for the proficiency testing for Vitamin A in veterinary feed premix and crude protein analysis for soya bean.
November will be devoted for a training session to provide comprehensive guidance of adhering to the regulatory requirements set by the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resouces) and LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority). This will ensure compliance for the regulations in the feeds and drug testing laboratories.
The first AVAQAL awards night celebrating excellence in quality control will be held in December for best quality control among veterinary and agricultural laboratories in the Philippines.
