The Philippines is intensifying efforts to prevent zoonotic disease emergence through a national co-design workshop for the ASEACA project, part of the PREACTS programme. Held in Makati City on March 26–27, 2026, the two-day event brought together 44 participants from government agencies, academic institutions, and international organizations to define priorities for surveillance, coordination, and policy development.
Co-organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the workshop marks a key step toward aligning with national and local priorities. Funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), ASEACA is currently in its co-design phase and will run until 2029, with implementation phases beginning after the co-design process.
Zoonotic diseases, which can spread between animals, humans, and the environment, remain a major global public health concern. Preventing outbreaks requires stronger coordination across sectors, supported by programmes such as PREACTS, to detect risks early and respond effectively. In the Philippines, as part of PREACTS, the ASEACA project focuses on strengthening surveillance systems, improving cross-sectoral coordination, and supporting science-based policies to reduce the risks posed by emerging infectious diseases.
Opening remarks
The workshop officially opened on March 26 with remarks from the Director of SEARCA and the First Counsellor of the French Embassy. Speakers emphasized the urgency of strengthening cross-sector collaboration. SEARCA highlighted the role of research, education, and regional partnerships in advancing One Health, while the French Embassy reaffirmed France’s commitment to global initiatives such as PREZODE. CIRAD underscored the importance of science-driven, collaborative approaches to better understand and mitigate zoonotic risks.
Defining national priorities
Participants in the workshop represented a wide range of institutions, including the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.
To advance a One Health approach in the Philippines, participants identified strengthening cross-sector coordination and workforce capacity as key priorities, alongside reinforcing vaccination strategies and integrating environmental and wildlife considerations through stronger use of scientific evidence.
Alongside these priorities, improving how risks are detected and shared remains central. While existing systems—such as community-based surveillance, event-based reporting, and cross-sector referral pathways—provide important entry points, they remain unevenly connected. Addressing gaps in coordination, capacity, and data sharing is key to strengthening early warning systems and preparedness.
Grounding the approach in local realities
ASEACA will be implemented in Pampanga and Bukidnon, two provinces with complex socio-ecological systems characterized by active interactions among livestock, wildlife, and people, and high exposure to environmental changes linked to zoonotic risks. The project targets local challenges such as land-use change and environmental pressures by working closely with local government units and sectoral agencies. By grounding activities locally, ASEACA will test approaches, build capacity, and provide evidence for national policies.
Moving towards implementation
The workshop defined initial coordination mechanisms, priority actions, and an indicative implementation roadmap. Building on these foundations, ASEACA will support the Philippines in preventing and responding to risks through an integrated One Health approach, strengthening surveillance, rapid response, and community awareness. These actions aim to improve preparedness and reduce emergence risks amid environmental, climatic, and socio-economic changes.
About CIRAD
CIRAD is a French agricultural research and international cooperation organization working for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions.
It works with its partners to build knowledge and solutions for resilient farming systems in a more sustainable and inclusive world. It mobilizes science, innovation, and training to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Its expertise supports a wide range of stakeholders, from producers to public policymakers, to foster biodiversity protection, agroecological transitions, food system sustainability, One Health, and the sustainable development of rural territories, as well as their resilience to climate change. CIRAD operates in around 50 countries across all continents, supported by the expertise of its 1,750 staff members, including 1,200 scientists, and a global network of some 200 partners. It also supports French science diplomacy initiatives.
