Author: Rodolfo Valdez Jr.

“We shall transform DA-PCC at USM through innovation and collaboration. We will harness carabao products and by-products to generate income for our farmers and their communities. We will promote the carabao as an instrument to foster peace,” DA-PCC at University of Southern Mindanao (DA-PCC at USM) recently designated Center Director Geoffray R. Atok outlines his goals for the agency.

To attain this vision, Atok pledged his commitment to creating an environment where employees are co-creators of innovations and valued contributors to DA-PCC’s outputs.

“Together, we shall continue to pursue the vision and mission of DA-PCC in its strong advocacy that the dairy carabao is a source of livelihood, milk, meat, and hide for our partners in the countryside,” Atok added.
The designation of Atok as center director of DA-PCC at USM is seen as beneficial to the agency and its clients, considering his expertise and experience in the animal sector.

“To our partner carapreneurs, our combined experiences and perspectives in improving the dairy carabao industry will create openness and build trust among us. Let us sustain our partnerships toward the same vision. Let us welcome opportunities for growth and progress in the same way that we embrace the challenges together to foster a culture of open-mindedness, bayanihan, and resilience,” Atok expressed.

Atok finished his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, Master’s degree in Animal Science, and Doctorate degree in Agri-Sciences with a major in Animal Sciences at the University of Southern Mindanao. Aside from his designation as center director, Atok is an active Associate Professor IV at USM.

Andrew Z. Delos Santos, a Person with Disabilities (PWD) farmer from Liwayway, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, received a bull from DA-PCC at Central Luzon State University (DA-PCC at CLSU) on January 25, 2024.

Andrew said that he never saw his disability as a barrier to pursuing his passion for carapreneurship.

“I never saw myself as being disabled. I have a rare degenerative condition called “AS” or Ankylosing Spondylitis. Kahit ganoon, hindi ko inisip na ‘di na ako makakagawa ng mga bagay na kaya ring gawin ng ibang tao. I always look for opportunities na kahit ‘di ako masyado gagalaw ay magagawa ko pa rin. It is a matter of delegation at karamihan sa mga trabaho sa bukid ay naka-delegate sa mga katuwang ko sa bukid,” said Andrew.

Andrew then shared the story of how he embarked on his journey as a carapreneur and developed a keen interest in the programs and services of DA-PCC.

“Pangarap ang isa sa nagtulak sa akin na mag-venture sa pagkakalabawan. Noong high school ako ay itinatayo pa lang ang DA-PCC at may nabasa akong article tungkol sa mga programa nito. Noong panahon ni dating pangulong Estrada nag-umpisa ang interest ko sa pagkakalabawan,” Andrew shared.

He encouraged people with disabilities to enhance their skill sets, which would contribute to their personal development. He said that if God has allowed them to have weaknesses, the same God has blessed them with the spirit of endurance and strength to overcome them.

He expressed his appreciation to DA-PCC at CLSU for selecting him as a recipient of the Bull Entrustment Program. He hopes that the agency will continue to support small farmers and the vulnerable sector so that they may have a chance at having a good life.

The Bull Entrustment Program is an initiative of DA-PCC that strategically entrusts purebred buffalo bulls to selected farmers, enabling them to utilize the bulls for natural mating with local carabaos. This program effectively spreads the superior genetic potential of purebred buffaloes, aiming to upgrade the overall quality and productivity of the local carabao population.

“A resilient leader recognizes that adversity is part of life and leadership. We cannot control the actions or opinions of others but we can control our own reactions and responses. Instead of being weighed down by negativity, we use it as fuel to drive our determination and resilience.”

Dr. Liza Battad, executive director of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), bared this realization and shared her ways forward, as she returned to her mother agency after her stint as Technical Adviser to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a welcome ceremony this morning, January 29, Dr. Battad encouraged the PCCeans to work together as a family, recognizing the value of their abilities in serving both DA-PCC and its clients. She urged them to persevere and maintain a positive work environment despite challenges.

She also emphasized the need for an “equity culture,” fostering a psychologically safe workplace for both regular and contractual employees to freely share ideas and opinions. This, she believes, will contribute to the overall performance of the agency in meaningfully serving its clients.

Acknowledging the collaborative efforts of various agencies, Dr. Battad stressed the importance of partnerships to bring about positive impact and support the upscaling initiatives of DA-PCC. She called for support for those directly involved in the industry and advocated for relevant policies to aid business start-ups and provide assistance through credit facilities.

She also extended her gratitude to Dr. Caro Salces, DA-PCC deputy executive director, for steering the agency in her absence to perform its deliverables for 2023. Dr. Salces, in turn, outlined the agency’s achievements in the past year aligned with the DA-PCC core values. Among the accomplishments under his leadership were the seamless transition of DA-PCC management, surpassing major final output targets, successful implementation of programs, and scaling up contributions to the industry.

Dr. Battad wore her heart on her sleeve, saying, “I’m home. Thank you for welcoming me back home,” embodying her commitment to leading the DA-PCC with grit and resilience.

DA-Philippine Carabao Center at the University of Southern Mindanao (DA-PCC at USM) and its host institution, USM, are enhancing their collaboration in the carabao upgrading program through the recently concluded basic training course in artificial insemination (AI) and pregnancy diagnosis in large ruminants on January 26, 2024.

DA-PCC at USM incoming Center Director Geoffray R. Atok welcomed 10 new AI technicians from Kabacan, including LGU-based and village-based technicians, as members of the extension arms of DA-PCC at USM. They will implement AI not only in Kabacan but also in its nearby municipalities.

“Let us make this initiative fruitful. Our goal is to establish a sustainable carabao value chain here in Kabacan. With your help as new AI technicians, we can materialize this vision,” Director Atok said.

In her message during the closing program, Dr. Mary Joy S. Cañolas, Director of the USM Extension Services Office, expressed gratitude towards DA-PCC at USM for continued support in providing information and other services to farmers and other clients to enable them to improve their quality of life.

Additionally, Dr. Ap Warren P. Adamat, the Extension Coordinator at USM-College of Veterinary Medicine, mentioned that the training is part of the university’s Farmer’s Field School project, aiming to use a technology delivery system to enhance farmers’ skills in swine production and AI. The technology delivery system supports the viability and profitability of large ruminant producers and the swine industry by providing the necessary skills and information.

“We’ll be doing a farmer-to-farmer radio broadcast after this training that addresses artificial insemination in large ruminants,” Dr. Adamat continued.

“Malaking tulong at hamon ang dala ng pagtatapos naming bilang AI technician. Mas lalawak ang aming serbisyo bilang agricultural technician para sa mga magsasaka sa bayan,” Irene John M. Nidoy, a newly trained LGU-based AI technician, said.

During the closing program of the activity, Kabacan Municipal Agriculturist Joseph A. Dela Cruz and Municipal Veterinarian Dr. Louise P. Mosquerra expressed their challenge and commitment to strengthening the carabao development program in the locality.

The promotion of the Carabao Development Program (CDP) is expected to increase in Cebu following the collaboration between the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) and Cebu Technological University (CTU)-Tuburan.

Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), these institutions have agreed to install the CDP-Karunungan, Impormasyon, at Oportunidad Sa Kalabawan or CDP-KIOSK in the university. The MOA was signed on January 22 during the graduation ceremony of the “Eskwelahan sa Kahanginan [School-On the-Air(SOA)]” on Dairy Buffalo Production hosted by the campus.

Initiated and facilitated by the Knowledge Management Division-Learning Events Coordination Section, the CDP KIOSK serves as a method to disseminate information about dairy buffalo production programs, services, and technologies offered by the DA-PCC, along with the agency’s knowledge products.

In this partnership, CTU-Tuburan is expected to provide a specific area for the installation, where farmers, students, and other agricultural stakeholders in the municipality can visit and easily access information about the programs and services of the agency.

In his message during the graduation rites, Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, Chief of the Knowledge Management Division (KMD) of DA-PCC, expressed hopes that through this medium, more farmers will be interested in the carabao dairy program and later engage in it, as he testified that there is indeed money in dairying.

The CDP KIOSK, to be installed at the campus library, comprises three materials: portable display panels, portable shelves for DA-PCC’s knowledge products, and a portable product mini-kiosk.

According to Mr. Gaudioso B. Calibugan, Senior Agriculturist of DA-PCC at Ubay Stock Farm, the installation of the facility is a follow-through on the recently concluded SOA to ensure that those who have enrolled in the radio broadcast schooling can easily access updates about dairying or review related information whenever they want.

Cebuano farmers in the northern part of Cebu recently celebrated the graduation of 230 individuals from the Eskwelahan sa Kahanginan (School-on-the-Air): Radio Broadcast on Dairy Buffalo Production. The ceremony took place on January 22 at Cebu Technological University (CTU)-Tuburan.

Conducted collaboratively by CTU-Tuburan, DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stock Farm (DA-PCC at USF), and the First Consolidated Cooperative Along Tañon Seaboards (FCCT), the School-on-the-Air (SOA) program consisted of 16 sessions broadcasted on “Bulawanong Tinubdan” (BT) radio at 98.1 MHz every Tuesday from 5:00-6:00 PM. The curriculum covered topics such as buffalo management, nutrition, health, breeding, milking procedures, milk handling, quality testing, carabao-based enterprises, and financial management.

In her welcome address during the ceremony, Engr. Naomi Bajao, project leader counterpart of CTU-Tuburan, expressed her gratitude for the realization of the program.

“Who would have thought that someone in the engineering and IT field like me would be engaged in a farmer-focused program?” she said. “But because of this (radio) technology, we were able to deliver the lessons to you,” she added.

Dr. Carla Y. Abaquita, campus director of CTU-Tuburan, acknowledged the university’s crucial role in extending agriculture-related technologies to farmers through its BT Radio Extension and Technology Transfer (BEATT) program, where the School-on-the-Air (SOA) was anchored.

On the other hand, Dr. Maria Dinah Loculan, center director of DA-PCC at USF, congratulated the farmers for completing the 16 sessions. She emphasized that in the process of learning, a learner can develop skills and shared her hopes that the farmers will apply what they have learned during the schooling.

Magdaleno Bargamento, chief executive officer of FCCT, mentioned during his inspirational message that one of the co-op’s thrusts is to support the national government’s call for food security. Thus, collaboration with institutions is helpful to expand its campaign to its members.

“Nagpasalamat jud ko nga na-connect mi sa DA-PCC…kay dako kaayo’g tabang sa katuyoan nga makagatas ta…ug sa FCCT niini nga partnership, aron daghan ang makahibalo sa maong mga teknolohiya…(I’m thankful that we have linked with DA-PCC…for they have been helpful to us to start dairying…and with the partnership with FCCT so that more farmers will know about the technologies…,” Bargamento added.

Egino Parone, a 15-year-old from Gimama-a, Tuburan, Cebu, one of the enrollees of the SOA, shared his testimony on how dairying has holistically helped his family. Aside from its contribution to his parents’ livelihood, dairying has also helped him be productive and stay away from being addicted to gadgets.

Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, chief of the Knowledge Management Division of DA-PCC, expressed his felicitations to the graduates and facilitators for the successful delivery of the program. He encouraged the former that the journey in dairying has just started.

One hundred sixty-six (166) of the SOA graduates are from the municipality of Tuburan, Cebu, 43 from Tabuelan, 12 from Medellin, five (5) from Asturias, two (2) from Daan Bantayan, one (1) from Balamban, and one (1) from Bogo.

The graduates present at the ceremony received production support items such as rubber boots, silage bags, pails, aprons, and mineral supplements for animals through a raffle.

The ceremony also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between DA-PCC and CTU-Tuburan for the installation of the Carabao Development Program (CDP)-KIOSK (Karunungan, Impormasyon, at Oportunidad sa Kalabawan). The CDP-KIOSK, to be installed at the CTU-Tuburan library, consists of display panels and portable shelves for DA-PCC’s knowledge products or publications.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) joined the Department of Education (DepEd) in the national launch of the School Mental Health Program and kick-off of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) hosted by the school division of Quezon City, at the Esteban Abada Elementary School, Project 7, Quezon City, on January 24, 2024.

With the theme, “Batang Matatag: Nourishing Mind and Strengthening Bodies,” DepEd emphasized that undernutrition among schoolchildren is a priority.

“Napakahalagang bigyan ng importansya ang pagpapabuti sa physical at mental na kalusugan ng mga mag-aaral. Kapag ang isang bata ay kulang sa nutrisyon, hindi matututo ‘yan,” said Sara Duterte, vice president of the Republic of the Philippines and secretary of DepEd, who served as the keynote speaker.

The event aligned with the DepEd’s MATATAG (Make the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, Active and responsible citizens; Take steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education services and provision facilities; Take good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusiveness learning, and positive learning environment; and, Give support for teachers to teach better) agenda, which recognizes the significance of students’ physical and mental well-being in achieving their maximum potential and making significant contributions to the country.

The kick-off includes the provision of one fortified meal to all undernourished public school children from kindergarten to sixth grade over a period of not less than 120 days in a year.

The DA-PCC, through the Carabao-Based Enterprise Development (CBED)-Milk Feeding Program Unit, led the distribution of 315 sterilized carabao’s milk to the guests and participants.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) recently organized a Business Talk (BizTalk) for its assisted cooperatives managing Dairy Boxes and Processing and Marketing Outlets, aiming to help them maximize the potential of their carabao-based businesses for increased profitability.
The learning event, held from January 15 to 19, aimed to foster knowledge-sharing by providing insights into various aspects of business literacy and marketing strategies in the dairy value chain.

Representatives from 56 DA-PCC-assisted cooperatives nationwide participated in the activity, geared towards enhancing their ability to make rational financial and investment decisions for sustainable business growth.

During the event, participants had the opportunity to learn and understand the fundamentals of business, including its nature, objectives, and general role. Additionally, strategies for asset management, such as cash handling, accounts receivable tracking, and inventory management, were discussed in detail to equip them with practical skills for effective business operations.

Participants also learned to measure the financial performance of their businesses using metrics such as Return on Investment (ROI) and other key parameters, as well as calculate the breakeven point. Moreover, they gained knowledge and techniques related to product costing and pricing, enabling them to navigate these critical aspects of their operations with confidence.

The activity was organized by DA-PCC’s Monitoring and Business Planning Support Section under its Planning and Information Management Division.

Most recent AI and PD training graduates in Luzon, equipped to support DA-PCC’s Carabao Development Program (CDP), took on the challenge of enhancing buffalo production in the Philippines. The second batch completed a 31-day basic training course in Artificial Insemination (AI) and Pregnancy Diagnosis (PD) for water buffaloes at DA-PCC National Bull Farm in Brgy. Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, from November 13 to December 13, 2023.

This initiative included 15 Luzon participants, representing entities like the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), Local Government Unit (LGU), future Village-Based Artificial Insemination Technicians (VBAIT), and DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) Staff under the Dairy Herd Buildup (DHBP) project.

Beyond technical training, participants honed critical thinking, interpersonal skills, field attitude, and demonstrated companionship, emphasizing the holistic approach to their roles.

Erwin Encarnacion, Science Research Specialist II and regional AI coordinator, highlighted the significance of attitude in fostering success, relationships, and overall well-being. He urged participants to self-evaluate, emphasizing that skills can be learned, but attitudes take time to develop.
Dr. Luise Sudla, city veterinarian of Gapan City, who ranked 1st among the trainees, acknowledged the challenges faced during the training and emphasized the importance of attitude, compassion, and sharing best practices. He committed to applying these skills to benefit their constituents.

Dr. Ericson N. Dela Cruz, DA-PCC at CLSU Center Director, expressed pride in shaping skilled AI technicians, noting the high levels of trust among the recently trained technicians and their readiness for field performance.
Dr. Edgar A. Orden, CLSU President, congratulates and extends his support in all initiatives on new knowledge and technologies for societal development.

The DA-PCC’s commitment to increasing buffalo production includes initiatives such as artificial insemination, contributing to the Philippines’ sustainable development. The DA-PCC National Bull Farm serves as a training center, upskilling individuals nationwide in programs like AI, pregnancy diagnosis, bull management, and reproductive management to fulfill the agency’s mission, vision, and mandate.