Palawan is set to become a new testing ground for the campaign to upgrade local cattle using Wagyu genetics, with three breeding bulls and 16 heifers expected to arrive in the province in November.
Former agriculture secretary Manny Piñol said in a post Sunday, August 23, that the newly organized Palawan Wagyu Farmers Association will import the pure Wagyu breeders from Australia.
“Palawan farmers will soon have access to outstanding Wagyu genetics as the newly-organized Palawan Wagyu Farmers Association is importing 3 Pure Wagyu Bulls and 16 Heifers from Australia,” he said.
Two bulls and three heifers will be brought to Taytay under the care of farmer Ken Reyes, who will start a “Toro ng Bayan” program.
The arrangement is intended to make Wagyu breeding genetics available for upgrading local cattle.
The remaining animals will be managed by the association’s group under Elroy John Hagedorn, according to Piñol.
“The Wagyus are expected to be shipped to Palawan by November after a 1 month quarantine in South Cotabato,” he said.
Piñol described the animals as the first Wagyu breeders to be brought to Palawan. Unlike cattle intended for immediate slaughter, the bulls and heifers will form the province’s foundation herd and produce calves that could carry pure or crossbred Wagyu genetics.
“This will be the first Wagyu Breeders to be brought to Palawan to upgrade the local herd,” he said.
The announcement, however, did not provide details on how ordinary cattle raisers may access the breeding bulls, whether farmers will be charged for the service, or who will own the resulting Wagyu-cross calves.
Piñol served as Agriculture secretary under former President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2019. He later headed the Mindanao Development Authority from 2019 until his resignation in 2021.
Piñol is now involved in farming and private-sector livestock programs. He is among the organizers of the Philippine Wagyu Association and is spearheading the “1-M Wagyu Crusade,” which seeks to expand Wagyu production by giving local farmers access to breeding animals and genetics.
The Palawan association was formed following a Wagyu and sorghum forum held in Puerto Princesa City in April. Its planned importation comes as the country continues to face a shrinking cattle population.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the national cattle inventory declined by 1.6%, from 2.52 million heads in June 2025 to 2.48 million in June 2026. Smallhold farms accounted for 87.6% of the cattle population.
