BU Animal Care and Use Committee Strategic Planning and Review of Animal Care and Use Program

To formulate strategies and establish goals for operationalizing the BU Animal Care and Use Committee, a strategic planning workshop titled “BU Animal Care and Use Committee Strategic Planning and Review of Animal Care and Use Program” was conducted on October 28, 2024. The event was held at Kairos Food and Allied Services Corp. in Legazpi City, Albay.

The BU ACUC plays a critical role in evaluating and approving research involving laboratory animals. It ensures that the laboratory and experimental animals and procedures are used for scientific purposes and in compliance with the policies and guidelines. The strategic planning workshop was organized to review current practices, set future goals, and enhance the university’s Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP).

The day began with a comprehensive review of the existing ACUP, followed by discussions on the requirements for institutional accreditation with the Philippine Association for Laboratory Animal Science (PALAS). Prof. Phil V. Morano also presented the registration process for Laboratory Animal Facilities under the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), an essential step in ensuring institutional compliance with national regulations.

In the afternoon session, the committee focused on revising the ACUP to align it with the requirements of the DA-BAI. A key update was the clarification that the university’s program is currently focused exclusively on murine research. Several sections of the ACUP—including Institutional Policies and Responsibilities, Animal Environment, Housing and Management, Veterinary Medical Care, and the Physical Plant—were updated to comply with the standards outlined in DA Administrative Order No. 40, Series of 1999. While significant progress was made, the committee recognized that further revisions and details are needed to achieve full regulatory compliance.

In line with the goal of continuous improvement, the committee also proposed conducting academic visits to various universities and other institutions naming National Institute of Health in University of the Philippines Manila, UP Diliman, UP Los Banos, Mariano Marcos State University Lab Animal and Breeding Facility, Bureau of Animal Industry – Visayas Avenue, the Philippine Association for Laboratory Animal Science (PALAS), and St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City to gather information that could enhance and develop the ACUP, benefiting the committee’s future initiatives.

Additional items discussed included revising the Protocol Review Form (PRF) to incorporate an application for authorization and updating the training syllabus to reflect potential use of other animals, such as cats and frogs, especially in educational settings. The committee also agreed to implement an ACUP Inspection Checklist to guide regular inspections of laboratory animal housing facilities—another step toward ensuring compliance with Department of Agriculture standards.

The workshop concluded with a group photo of all committee members, followed by the awarding of certificates to participants in recognition of their active involvement.

Through this strategic planning initiative, BU ACUC reaffirms its commitment to ethical research practices, regulatory compliance, and the continuous development of institutional programs that uphold the highest standards in animal care and use.