09 Mar 2026

Batangas farm earns province’s first cage-free certification

The Philippine province achieves a milestone its first certified cage-free egg house, strengthening its role as the nation’s egg capital.

aviNews Asia

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Batangas province has marked a turning point in Philippine egg production with the certification of its first cage-free egg house, signaling a shift toward humane and sustainable farming.

For decades, the province has been recognized as the ‘egg capital of the Philippines.’ Most farms relied on battery cages, a system criticized for limiting hen welfare. That narrative is beginning to change. Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) has certified the first cage-free egg house in the province, a milestone that sets a new benchmark for the industry.

SLC Agri-Farm Ventures Inc, based in San Jose, Batangas, completed its transition to cage-free housing for laying hens.

“We are proud to be the first in Batangas to achieve this certification,” said SLC Agri-Farm Ventures owner Sonny Castillo. “This is our way of showing that we care for the welfare of our hens.”

Freedom for hens, confidence for buyers

The certification reflects AKF’s broader Go Cage-Free campaign, which advocates humane egg production nationwide. The group had earlier certified Bounty Farms Inc and Robina Farms.

More than symbolic, the certification demonstrates that cage-free systems can be viable in the Philippines, where consumer demand for ethically produced food is growing. AKF’s seal assures buyers that farms meet strict welfare standards.

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Key features of cage-free systems include:

Allowing hens to move freely and express natural behaviors such as perching and dust bathing.
Reducing stress and injury compared to conventional cages, leading to better welfare outcomes.
Aligning with global trends as more markets adopt humane production standards.

“This is a historic milestone for Batangas and for the Philippines,” said AKF Program Director Heidi Caguioa. “It proves that Filipino farmers can embrace humane practices while maintaining productivity.”

From egg capital to ethical leader

The Batangas milestone is expected to encourage other farms to follow suit. AKF believes that consumer awareness and demand will accelerate adoption. The organization continues to work with producers to ensure compliance and provide technical support.

“This is only the beginning,” Ms Caguioa added. “We hope more farms will join the cage-free movement so that the Philippines can become a leader in humane agriculture.”

This development also strengthens the province’s reputation as a leader in egg production. By embracing cage-free systems, Batangas positions itself at the forefront of sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia.

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