Author: Aubrey Vista Manalo

Kardeli, DA-PCC’s brand of carabao’s meat, is now available all day with pre-cooked specials for dine-in or for takeout at its name store that opens today at the Milka Krem compound in the Science City of Muñoz.

The soft launching of Kardeli All-Day Diner marks the opening day for the weeklong 30th anniversary celebration of DA-PCC.

The diner offers various premium carabao’s meat products such as pre-packaged choice cuts, gourmet sausages, and quick meals and snacks such as “pares mami” and “lugaw”. It is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m..

The diner is a collaborative project of the Aces Philproducers Corporation, a subsidiary of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, and DA-PCC with the former as the operator of the store.

Kardeli is a portmanteau of the words “carabao” and “delicacy”. The brand was launched in 2016 introducing it to the public as a tender meat debunking the perception that carabao’s meat is tough and has an after-taste.BGen. Manuel Natividad, chairperson of Aces Phil Producers Corporation and vice chairperson of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, led the opening ceremonies with Dr. Caro B. Salces, OIC executive director of DA-PCC.

Dr. Ronnie Domingo, former OIC executive director of DA-PCC, and Rev. Fr. Rufo Ramil H. Cruz, the chaplain who officiated the blessing of the store, joined the ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stock Farm (DA-PCC at USF) culminated its month-long trainings on basic artificial insemination (AI) and pregnancy diagnosis (PD) on large ruminants for village-based and LGU technicians and intensified reproductive management training on March 9.”The advanced training aimed to capacitate and improve the efficiency of our existing AI technicians in their services, since we have noted low pregnancy rate that affected our targets,” said Bonifacia Granada, training coordinator and chief of the extension services of DA-PCC at USF.

The technicians who have the most carabao-populated areas were prioritized in the scheduling of the said training. These include Pinamungajan, Danao City, Dumanjug, San Remegio, Compostela, Alegria, Cebu, and Candijay, and those municipalities covered by the Bohol Dairy Cooperative (BODACO). One staff member from DA-PCC at USF was also included in the list.

Two staff members of the First Consolidated Cooperative along Tañon Seaboard (FCCT)-Tuburan also participated in the training. This is DA-PCC at USF’s extension and advisory service to the cooperative for it to effectively and efficiently manage its increasing number of animals as it is a conduit of the Carabao-based Improvement Network (CBIN) project of DA-PCC.

Both trainings are comprised of four- and two-day lectures for basic and intensified reproduction management, respectively. A practicum in the institutional farm and actual demonstrations in the field were also part of the learning module. After completing the trainings, participants are expected to achieve at least 75% of the combined score in the written exam and skills assessment as demonstrated during actual PD, AI gun insertion, and semen thawing.

The Philippine Carabao Center at WVSU (PCC at WVSU) held its first ever Cara Cooking Show and Cara-ugnayan with Farmers at Calinog Plaza in Calinog, Iloilo last March 3. The event is related to the center’s participation in the 5th Semana Kang Mangunguma, an annual tribute to LGU Calinog’s farmers.

The theme of this year’s Semana Kang Mangunguma, “Mangunguma naghugpong sa pagbangon, panguma pasanyugon, palibot tatapon kag ekonomiya pasanyugon,” emphasizes the farmers’ unity in the face of economic recovery and growth. The PCC at WVSU complements the theme with its slogan “Ang may karbaw, labaw!” demonstrating the concept that carapreneurship is an emerging livelihood with the potential to improve farmers’ lives.

The occasion was graced by Hon. Renato Magpantay, Sangguniang Bayan member of the Calinog municipality, Gelmina P. Cartel, Chief of the Calinog Municipal Agriculture Office, and Dir. Arn D. Granada, Center Director of the PCC at WVSU. Maria Corazon Buala, Public Relations Officer II of DA-Western Visayas, Abdiel Dela Cruz, Operation Manager, The Glend Hotel, and Michael Jan Debuque, Tourism Operations Assistant of Calinog Tourism Office were present as Cara Cooking Show Judges. Around 300 people attended the event, the majority of whom were farmers from various farmers’ associations in Calinog.

Janice H. Cuaresma, DA-PCC at WVSU CBED Coordinator, led the Cara-ugnayan with Farmers. The segment discussed the success of the Calinog Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (CAF Agri Coop) in cara-dairy farming. Ryan Carmen, Chairman of CAF Agri Coop, Lilibeth Dumdumaya, Manager of CAF Agri Coop, and Wilma Capillo, member of CAF Agri Coop’s Board of Directors, discussed the cooperative’s struggles and successes over the years, as well as the importance and impact of women in the dairy industry.

During the event, the Karabun (buffalo’s milk-flavored bun) was also introduced to the audience, with benefits and potential as a food product cited. It was emphasized that in the Panay and Guimaras islands, only the CAF Agri Coop manufactures Karabun.

The main event was the Cara Cooking Show, which challenged contestants to cook using one liter of buffalo’s milk and PHP500 worth of ingredients. The dishes were then scored based on the cost per serving of the dish/dish combo that the judge is willing to pay.

Ellen Escorial of the Sitio Cristobal Farmers Association was crowned champion, taking home PHP5,000 for her winning dish combination of kalabasa soup, bikol express, and ube halaya, all made with buffalo’s milk. Kate Reylen Escorial and Jonna Kim Catalua, both from the 4H Club, took first and second place with their dish combinations of beef rolls and palitaw with buffalo’s milk, and ginataang balut de leche, fried balut, and coffee jelly, respectively.

The contest’s goal is to promote buffalo’s milk as a versatile ingredient that can be used in both appetizers and desserts.

The DA-PCC starts off this year’s national women’s month celebration with a renewed commitment to advancing gender equality and fostering gender-responsive government programs and services that empower women to contribute to nation-building.

In a kick-off program held today, DA-PCC Gender and Development focal person Khrizie Evert Padre emphasized the need for compassionate and harmonized networks towards women empowerment (WE), which is aligned with the new recurrent theme of the celebration from this year through 2028: “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society”.

Said theme signals a turning point in the growth of women’s rights. It sparks a renewed commitment to advocacy and banks on the gains achieved during the 2016-2022 theme, WE Make CHANGE Work for Women.

“I believe that women should be respected not just because they are women but also because they are individuals with their own identities. They contribute equally and significantly to the betterment of society,” she said.

Padre underscored that the annual observance is a time to recognize and honor the countless contributions women have made throughout history and continue to make today. It is an avenue to celebrate the achievements and courage of women who have broken barriers, shattered stereotypes, and paved the way for future generations.

In support of the “WE” campaign, the DA-PCC’s Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) will organize and spearhead activities such as Special Cara-Aralan Webinar Episodes featuring women carapreneurs Elenita Flores of Adeline’s Fresh Buffalo Milk Products and Emily Velasco of Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Multi-Purpose Cooperative and distribution of GAD kits.

Also included in the activity is the “Serbisyo para kay Juana” wherein women clients of DA-PCC’s Milka Krem products outlet will be offered a one-day 5% discount on select dairy products on International Women’s Day (March 8 ) as a form of appreciation for women’s various contributions in the society.

Agusanons can now indulge in a range of treats made from carabao’s milk following the opening of the first Dairy Box in Agusan del Sur.

Said facility, which will be managed by the Katipunan Agricultural Producers Cooperative (KAPCO), was established as part of the Accelerating Livelihood and Assets Buildup (ALAB) Karbawan project implemented by the DA-PCC and funded by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, chaired by Senator Cynthia Villar.

The Dairy Box is an infrastructure support for smallholder dairy farmers designed to provide them with an opportunity to gain access to the commercial market for greater income.

This newly opened one-stop shop in barangay Mabuhay, Bayugan City, offers a variety of milk-based products, including pastillas, fresh milk, white cheese, chocomilk, and mango- and ube-flavored milk drinks.

Present in the turnover ceremony were Agusan Del Sur Provincial Governor Santiago Cane, DA-PCC at Central Mindanao University Center Director Dr. Lowell Paraguas, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Joriz Elevazo, Bayugan City Veterinarian Dr. Ramjun Pore, and KAPCO Chairperson Gina Mojado.

The Department of Agriculture-Livestock Biotechnology Center (DA-LBC), with the coordination of the Medical Test Systems, Inc. initiated a three-day capacity enhancement activity entitled, “End-User Training of the SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer” on February 1-3, 2023 at the Livestock Innovations and Biotechnology Complex, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

This capacity enhancement activity comprised of both lecture and hands-on training and was attended by technical staff from the DA-LBC and its counterpart institutions, the Crop Biotechnology Center (DA-CBC) and Fisheries Biotechnology Center (DA-FBC), hosted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), respectively. Said training also invited participants from the DA-LBC’s Livestock Biotechnology Research for Development (R4D) Network, namely, the Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) and the National Dairy Authority (DA-NDA).

Mr. Dale S. Pinili, M.Sc., and Ms. Eden Beth B. Asilo, M.Sc., Field Application Scientists from Medical Test Systems, Inc. presented their lectures and supervised the hands-on training on Capillary Electrophoresis Techniques, Sanger Sequencing and Fragment Analysis Workflows. They also provided operational instructions in Sequence and Fragment Data Analysis using the Sequence Analysis and GeneMapper Software as well as Data Troubleshooting.

With the conclusion of the 2017-2021 Livestock Biotechnology Research for Development and Extension (RDE) Agenda, the Biotechnology Centers (Crop Biotechnology Center, Fisheries Biotechnology Center, and Livestock Biotechnology Center) under the banner of the DA, proposed for the establishment of a sequencing facility to elevate the research capabilities of the Biotechnology Center’s Research for Development (R4D) Network for expansion of research initiatives for food security and sufficiency. This proposal was then later approved for funding by the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program (DA-BPO).

The sequencing facility was established last January 2023 and is currently housed under the DA-PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool, the host agency for the DA-LBC.Photos by Joel A. Miguel Jr., Anne Franchette C. Asuncion & Arren Christian M. De Guia

Dr. Danilda “Dang” Duran, DA-PCC’s Senior Agriculturist, has been upgraded to Career Scientist II under the Scientific Career System by the Department of Science and Technology and the Civil Service Commission effective January 27, 2023.

As a scientist in animal reproductive biotechnology, Dr. Dang dabbles in conducting research at the DA-PCC Reproduction and Physiology Section.

She specializes in the following: production and cryopreservation of water buffalo embryos, separation of motile and non-motile sperm cells of bulls with low post-thaw motilities, and use of embryo transfer that resulted in the birth of live calves and realization of advanced reproductive biotechnologies as a tool for genetic improvement in water buffaloes.
She also demonstrated the efficiency of using Fourier Harmonic Analysis in classifying high- and low-fertility bulls and addressing the problems of inactive/non-performing bulls to enhance buffalo calf production in the country.

“I want to concentrate on solving the issues affecting inactive and underperforming bulls to optimize their reproduction potentials. Addressing this problem is necessary since it has an impact on calf and milk production, buffalo farming profitability, and the livestock industry in general,” Dr. Dang shared.

Dr. Dang has made significant contributions in the field of animal reproductive biotechnology and has won numerous accolades for her work as a researcher. To name a few, she was an Achievement Awardee of the National Research Council of the Philippines, a Life and Work Awardee of the International Buffalo Federation, and a Distinguished Researcher in Animal Science by the Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. and the Philippine Society of Animal Science.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center Research and Development Division and the DA-Livestock Biotechnology Center held a capacity enhancement workshop on crafting livestock biotechnology research methodologies last January 30-31, 2022 at the Training Center, Capiz State University (CapSu), Dayao Satellite College, Roxas City, Capiz.

“All research initiatives will be industry driven and will be addressing the needs of the community.” This was the challenge posed by Dr. Leo Andrew Biclar, CapSU Research Director during his welcom remarks to participants and in the same light, he expressed hope in advancing research and being apprised with the new trends of the animal industry. Along with other research funding institutions as collaborators of the CapSU, he also welcomed the possibility of boosting scientific publications, a current challenge faced by the SUCs.

The capacity enhancement activity was attended by students, faculty-researchers and representatives of the Office of the Provincial Veterinary Office through the effort of the Livestock Research and Development Center Director, Dr. Emely J. Escala. Dr. Escala reported that the CapSU has close partnership with the Bureau of Animal Industry, helping the latter in the field especially that the region has reported cases of African Swine Fever (ASF).

Raymark Paul T. Rigor presented the DA-PCC’s thematic areas for buffalo research, Anne Franchette C. Asuncion discussed about the blood testing for common diseases in livestock, Dr. Arren Christian M. De Guia talked on primer design, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and using online and offline softwares for these tools. Finally, Joel A. Miguel, as requested by Dr. Escala, presented gene marbling and its ties to genetics, nutrition, and farm management.

The activity was also attended by Dr. Claro N. Mingala, Director of the DA-Biotechnology Program Office who listened and critiqued capsule proposals of the participants. Dr. Mingala stressed that the biotechnology is just an option in addressing pressing problems especially in the livestock industry and that there are also other initiatives being pursued by the DA such as organic and traditional agriculture.

Participants were able to craft and present their capsule proposals and were subsequently offered suggestions by the DA group.

Dr. Caro Salces officially accepted the duties and responsibilities as the new DA-PCC’s Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Executive Director in a turnover ceremony held today at the PCC national headquarters in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

This is pursuant to the Department of Agriculture Special Order No. 44 Series of 2023 designating Dr. Salces as OIC, Executive Director of the PCC and Special Order No. 56 Series of 2023 designating DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Liza Battad as Technical Adviser to the Executive Director of PCAF issued by Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban.

Dr. Salces has been with the DA-PCC since its creation in 1992. He is also among the pioneers in the implementation of national carabao development program having served as a researcher under the Philippine Carabao Research and Development Center (PCRDC), a precursor of DA-PCC.

Prior to his appointment, Dr. Salces is the DA-PCC’s deputy executive director for administration and finance. He also served as the center director of DA-PCC at USF from 1994 to 2018.

As a researcher, he has conducted more than 20 studies in the fields of animal nutrition and agriculture. He also received the “Gawad Saka Award” of the Department of Agriculture for applied research in 2000-2001. He is currently the president of the Philippine Society of Animal Science. Dr. Salces finished his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education at the Bohol Agricultural College in 1983 with Latin honors. Seven years later, he earned his Master’s Degree in Animal Science at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. In 2000, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in the same field also at the UPLB.