Author: Ronaline Canute

The Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) recognized Dr. Edwin C. Atabay of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), as this year’s Outstanding Veterinarian in Government Service during its 89th Scientific Conference and Annual Convention awarding ceremony on February 17.

The award is an initiative of the PVMA, a sister organization of the Philippine Medical Association whose aim is to bring together qualified Filipino veterinarians who have been approved by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).

Dr. Atabay is currently the Senior Science Research Specialist of the Reproduction and Physiology Section under the Research Development Division. He is also the National Technical Coordinator on Reproduction, the Program Coordinator for DA-PCC’s Artificial Insemination and Bull Entrustment Programs of the PCC, and a technical expert for the Department of Agriculture’s Unified National Artificial Insemination Program. He is also a Career Scientist II under the DOST’s SCS.

His fields of specialization are Veterinary Medicine and Animal Reproductive Biotechnology. His research interests also include reproductive biotechnology (in vitro embryo production, cryopreservation of semen, embryos, oocytes, and somatic cells, artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, cloning, and embryo transfer).

He is actively involved in S&T activities that result in the development of technology and innovations for increasing water buffalo and other ruminant species’ pregnancy and productivity.

Moreover, he was the driving force behind the creation and implementation of the Intensified Reproductive Management Program, which encourages technological improvements in reproduction to boost livestock reproductive efficiency.

Dr. Atabay earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Medicine at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan and Masters in Animal Science at the Central Luzon State University.

In the latter part of the year 2021, Dr. Atabay was also recognized as the 2021 Achievement Awardee of the National Research Council of the Philippines-Division of Veterinary Medicine.

“Do what you say,” Dr. Atabay replied when asked what his secret to all of his accomplishments was.

As part of the DA-PCC at Ubay Stock Farm’s (DA-PCC at USF) Odette Recovery Plan, newly recruited carapreneurs in Ubay received milk pails and sacks of silage as start-up materials for their dairy enterprise.

The farmers were really grateful for the support and assistance extended to them by the DA-PCC in these challenging times due to the pandemic and the devastating effects of typhoon Odette.

Present in the short ceremony were Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. William C. Medrano, DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Ronnie D. Domingo, Regional Executive Director Joel A. Elumba, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Bing Lapiz, and Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Finance Caro B. Salces.

Alongside the said activity, USec. Medrano had a short visit to the facilities of DA-PCC at USF, which were greatly affected by the onslaught of the recent typhoon Odette that hit the eastern part of Visayas.

In order to bridge the gap brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted many people from attending face-to-face seminars and trainings, the Department of Agriculture – Livestock Biotechnology Center, together with the DA-Philippine Carabao Center and DA-Biotechnology Program Office, held the 6th International Livestock Biotechnology Symposium on February 22 via a virtual meeting platform attended by over 200 local and international participants.

Coalescing two subjects that are rarely discussed together in scientific dialogues and fora, the symposium aims to provide awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the processes and dynamics revolving around the livestock sector including its effects to the environment.

Local and international speakers discussed topics ranging from gene editing, climate change, reduction of methane emission of lactating cows to transgenic technologies for adaption of livestock to warmer climates in line with this year’s theme, “Research and Innovations Promoting Positive and Synergistic Relationship Between the Livestock Industry and Climate Change”.

The symposium underscored the need for the agriculture sector, specifically the livestock sector to recalibrate strategies in achieving sustainable food security with significantly lesser effects to the environment and improve resiliency to climate change.

Featured presentations and open forum further highlighted how biotechnology applications can mitigate effects of livestock production on the environment and climate change.

Resource persons include Climate Change Commission Consultant, Dr. Leoncio A. Amadore, Professor of Animal Genomics and Biotechnology University of California – Davis, Dr. Alison L. Van Eenennaam; Agricultural Inspector of Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda, Dr. Brendah Kembabazi and Principal Scientist Animal Biotech, AgResearch Ruakura, Dr. Goetz Laible.

Today marks the start of the challenge to Bongabon Dairy Cooperative’s (BDC) to process milk and contribute to the demand of the national milk feeding program.

Through the Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Office of the Department of Agrarian Reform-Nueva Ecija, BDC was awarded PhP300,000 for the processing equipment and the enhancement of the cooperative’s dairy processing center.

Present in the event were DAR’s Secretary Bernie F. Cruz, Undersecretary Lucius G. Malsi, Assistant Secretary Maria Celestina M. Tam, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Eden Ponio, and other officials form the Department of Agrarian Reform-Nueva Ecija. Also in attendance to show support are DAR’s partner agencies namely Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) headed by its OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie D. Domingo, Department of Trade and Industry-Nueva Ecija represented by Mr. Micko R. Dela Cruz, and Mayor Allan Xystus A. Gamilla.

Pangarap at pagkakaisa. These are the key ingredients to a successful cooperative, said Chairperson Mario Dela Cruz. Rising from the ranks, the BDC was one amongst the newly established dairy cooperatives in Nueva Ecija being assisted by DA-PCC.

Chairperson dela Cruz was very emotional while delivering his message for the overwhelming support that the government has given to their cooperative. They promised that they will make these blessings prosper in exchange for the effort and hardwork of the people behind to make this project possible.

The said project is in line with the DA’s battlecry towards Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita among our local farmers.

DA-PCC’s Knowledge Management Division (KMD) team members, DA-PCC at Central Luzon State University program implementers, and select provincial veterinarians in Region III convened in a hybrid (online and on-site with minimum safety and health protocols) strategic planning-workshop on Knowledge Management (KM) interventions for Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) project today, January 25 in Bagac, Bataan.

Said activity is in support of the project “Strengthening the ALAB-Karbawan Project through Herd Build-up” being implemented by the DA-PCC and sponsored by the office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Chairperson Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Specifically, the workshop aimed to deliver real-time accessibility of knowledge products and engage provincial and local government units and value chain civil society organizations in the production of knowledge products and capacity building of clients.

Among the outputs derived from the workshop included calibration of KM interventions based on the results of situational analysis, development of action plans in response to the current issues identified by the LGU partners, and declaration of commitment of involved beneficiaries.

Aside from Region III, other regions with the most number of ALAB-Karbawan sites such as Regions IV-A, V, VI, VIII, XI and XII will also undergo the same planning-workshop for the KMD team to identify and propose KM interventions needed in the sustainable implementation of the project.

DA-PCC’s key supervisors and managers across the network undergo a three-day training on leadership and managerial skills development via hybrid learning platform, December 1-3, 2021.

The seminar was initiated by the agency’s Human Resource Management Section (HRMS).

It aims to improve the participants’ self-confidence and self-assurance in their role as leaders of the agency and increase their level of personal effectiveness, obtain necessary management mindedness and balance multiple perspectives.

After completing the training, participants are expected to be able to differentiate the functions of management vs. staff work and prioritize management work, understand and apply the roles of management and its core responsibilities, manage employee performances through coaching and counselling and develop awareness and mastery of the self as the key to organizational transformation.

Noel Resurreccion and Gigi Resurreccion of the Mentor Group Philippines serve as the speakers for the said activity. Topics include basics of supervision, roles and functions, leadership, motivation, communication, delegation, coaching and counseling, proactive behavior, exercising the power and choice, valuing and personal visioning and management of comfort zone.

Twenty participants from the regional centers attended via Zoom while 24 from the DA-PCC national headquarters attended physically at the Eusebio-Castillo Hall.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center ensures the protection of safe spaces through participating in the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women on November 25 to December 12.

With the slogan “Filipino Marespeto; Safe Spaces, Kasali Tayo,” this year’s campaign focuses on the Safe Spaces Act (SSA) or RA 11313 which defines and/or penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in the streets and public spaces, workplace, and educational and training institutions, and online.

“We, at the DA-PCC, ensure the protection of safe spaces and will continue to strengthen the agency’s GAD policies and programs in support of the VAW advocacy and safe spaces act. We also encourage our employees to be responsible and do their own part as an individual to protect safe spaces, empower gender fair workforce and observe gender fair language,” Aimee Fulgencio, DA-PCC Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person stated.

The agency participated through hanging of the 2021 18-Day Campaign to End VAW official streamers at the national headquarters and gene pool and regional centers, production and distribution of PCW-prescribed advocacy face mask to all PCC employees, use of the All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang Video in activities and during Flag Raising Ceremony and uploading advocacy materials to the DA-PCC’s official website and social media accounts. Prior to the VAW campaign, the DA-PCC’s GAD Focal Point System (FPS) and technical working group (TWG) has conducted a gender mainstreaming assessment to assess the level of the agency’s efforts on GAD using Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) tool. They also laid out plans and activities for the following years to develop gender-responsive policies and program, for a gender-sensitive institution.

This year’s National Biotechnology Week (NBW) celebration, which will run from November 22-26, highlights the crucial role of biotechnology innovations in healing the nation from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This essentially was the message of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año who chaired the event. 

“Sa panahong ito, kailangan talaga natin ng kaagapay sa mga kababayan natin mula sa kagutuman, pagkakasakit, pagbagsak ng ekonomiya at pagkasira ng kalikasan at biotechnology ang nagging sandigan ng ating patuloy na pananaliksik at paglikha ng mga produkto, metodolohiya at iba pang proseso at pamamaraan upang makalikha ng produkto na pang-agrikultura at medisina,” Secretary Año said.

With the theme “Kapit-bisig na Pagtutulungan, Bioteknolohiya Ating Paghusayan!”, physical and virtual exhibits during the celebration aim to focus on the efforts of the government, non-government sectors and private institutions working together to bring forth milestones and technologies achieved through Philippine biotechnology.

In addition, DILG Undersecretary Marlo L. Iringan said the Department’s goal is to bring biotechnology to local levels in the context of battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

On efforts to up the public’s better understanding and appreciation of biotechnology, Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar expressed his stance in fighting misinformation by proper information dissemination about biotechnology. He zeroed in on how biotechnology could be an instrument to halt malnutrition in Filipino children.

In his inspirational message, Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña underscored the support and innovations made by the Department of Science and Technology during the time of the pandemic such as promising results of virgin coconut oil and lagundi as treatment for COVID-19 as well as passing of the House Bill 2155 establishing the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).

One of the featured Pinoy Agricultural Biotechnologies is the QuickCArE Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus Test Kit developed by the DA-Philippine Carabao Center. This rapid, low-cost, pen-side DNA-based test with high detection rate can be performed in four easy steps without the use of specialized equipment.

For more information on the featured biotechnology products, register via this link:   https://bit.ly/RegistrationVirtualTechnoForumOnAgBiotech

Second liners in their respective family’s dairy buffalo business get firsthand inspiration from practicing carapreneurs who are considered as staunch advocates of carapreneurship. This was during a learning event on “Dairy Buffalo Farming for Food Security and Sustainability” with 45 youths in attendance at the Milka Krem Hall, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on November 11-12 and 15-16.

The attendees, aged 15 to 30, are children of dairy farmers who are members of a dairy cooperative. The activity was based on the objective of transforming the mindset of the youth on their crucial role in pushing forward the future of dairy buffalo farming industry along with their imminent takeover as the next leaders of the cooperative.

Dr. Marvin Villanueva, Senior Science Research Specialist and OIC of the Research and Development Division, cited in his message the PSA data (2019) showing that farmers in the Philippines are getting older with 57 as the average age of workers in agriculture. Studies also show that older farmers do not necessarily encourage their children to engage in agricultural activities.

This was supported by Palis (2020) stating that 65 percent of Filipino farmers want their children to be better off going to college and work in cities or abroad rather into farming. As a result, they do not impart long-established farming techniques to the younger generation which may be linked to the declining interest among youth to engage in agricultural activities.

Dr. Villanueva then encouraged participants to develop their eagerness to help local farmers in their community. He urged them to start knowing the basics of dairy farming at an early age and develop passion for it.

“Ang mga kabataan hindi masyadong nakafocus sa pagkakalabaw. After makapag-aral ang iniisip ay makapagtrabaho para magkapera. Pwede naman po yun pero at the same time mag-invest po tayo. Sa pagkakalabaw maaring gawin mo ito hanggang pagtanda at kaya mo pa dahil hawak mo ang oras mo,” also encouraged Miccaela Alfonso, 26, proprietor of Alfonso Dairy Farm in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.

Alfonso was one of the speakers who imparted her experiences in integrated farming. She shared that in dairy farming she was able to grow as a person in terms of constantly learning how to manage and expand their family business. The farm, she added, was also able to help their community grow by generating jobs and by teaching them to patronize local farm products.

Patrick Pascual, artificial insemination technician from Sto. Domingo, also shared his experiences on being a technician and how this has earned him sustainable income.

Among the topics that were discussed include introduction to buffalo milk- and meat-based enterprises, basic business management, cooperativism and leadership, spiritual and values orientation, and business planning. Said activity, which was spearheaded by the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) Socio-Economics and Policy Section (SEPS) led by Estella Valiente, will hold another batch of seminar via Zoom on November 29 to 30 to accommodate more than 100 youth participants.