Author: Ma. Cecilia C. Irang

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center at Cagayan State University (DA-PCC at CSU) entrusted on August 6 a total of 50 head of crossbred dairy buffaloes to Saint Vincent Parish Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SVPMPC) in Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya—a milestone marking the first ALAB-Karbawan project in Region 2. 

Said activity is a component of the project titled Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN), popularized as Accelerating Livelihood Assets Buildup (ALAB)- Karbawan of the DA-PCC. It was funded by the Office of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar and is geared towards providing income opportunities to farmers and progressing the carabao dairy industry. 

The entrustment activity was done after the co-op members underwent a series of trainings, which included social preparation and basic buffalo management. 

Sen. Villar, through a video message, promotes dairy enterprise as another income-generating venture in response to the pressing need for additional source of income of farmers, hence the implementation of CBIN project.

DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo, in his message, imparted words of encouragement to co-op members saying they are blessed with “3 viable Ps: Pamunuan, Programa, and Properties (labor and carabaos)”. 

“You have to value these blessings and aim for higher milk production as there is a sure market for your milk produce due to the national feeding program,” he added.

Dupax Del Sur Mayor Ruben Basconcillo expressed his utmost gratitude to Sen. Villar, DA-PCC, and Provincial Government for choosing their town as one of the beneficiaries for the project.

“Out of over 1,400 municipalities across the country, only 17 were selected for the project and we are beyond grateful to be included in this undertaking. Employment- and economy-wise, the whole town will surely benefit from this,” he said.

SVPMPC Chairman Noel Amador committed to make the most of the project and never take it for granted. He said that they will cherish, nurture and propagate the carabaos entrusted to them and guaranteed that they too will thrive in this venture like others. He also envisioned for their co-op to launch an agri-tourism site in the long run.

With this project, SVMPC was urged by the office of Sen. Villar to establish a learning site and eventually a farm school, as accredited by ATI and TESDA, respectively. 

Also gracing the turn-over ceremony were DA-PCC Planning and Information Management Division OIC Dr. Ericson Dela Cruz who gave an overview of the project, Municipal Agriculturist Elgine Iritan, DA-PCC at CSU Center Director Dr. Rovina Piñera, and other employees and SVMPC members.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Christopher Seraspi, DA-RFO 2 Dr. Roberto Busania, and Malen Galang also attended the event to represent Gov. Carlos Padilla, DA-RFO 2 Regional Executive Director Narciso Edillo, and Sen. Villar, respectively. They also delivered their respective messages of support to the project.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Manila conducted an appreciation visit in line with the US PL480 Project: Strengthening the Livestock Biotechnology Center at the DA-Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool (PCCNHQGP) on August 5.

The on-going PL480 project is focused on the “Intensified Community-Based Dairy Enterprise Development” which will be jointly implemented by the National Dairy Administration (NDA) and DA-PCC with the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) as fund manager. It aims to produce 27.70 million liters of milk throughout the project period, increase dairy carabao inventory by 922 head through importation and local procurement of purebred or crossbred buffaloes, and increase dairy cattle inventory by 7,323 head and dairy goat inventory by 9,611 head through importation and expanded animal breeding programs.

The project also targets to increase the average family income of dairy farmers by 20 percent annually through the development of carabao-based enterprises, as well as increase the average income of dairy goat farmers by 18 percent.

With a budget of Php513 million, DA-PCC will focus on increasing the milk production and dairy buffalo herd through the following project components: dairy buffalo procurement and distribution, expanded artificial insemination, feed production and development, dairy buffalo enterprise development, capacity building, and project management, monitoring and evaluation.

Florence M. Sevilla, Agricultural Specialist of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service previously requested an appreciation visit with the agency intending to have a better understanding and insight on the status of the dairy industry in the Philippines.  

Accompanying Sevilla was Ryan Bedford, Agricultural Attaché of the US Embassy. The visit included an observation at the Cryobank laboratory, Livestock Innovations and Biotechnology Complex to showcase DA-PCC technologies, dairy and meat products and the Total Mixed Ration (TMR) machine at the agency’s Gene Pool. (Photo by Ma. Cecilia Irang)

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar had a quick visit to DA-PCC’s National Water Buffalo Gene Pool and Livestock Innovations and Biotechnology Complex today wherein he was briefed on the agency’s technologies and research initiatives. 

Lilian Villamor, Senior Science Research Specialist, discussed the DA-PCC’s diverse animal genetic resources cryobank and conservation efforts while Dr. Gabriel Tubalinal presented the use of Quick Care pen-side DNA-based test kit for caprine arthritis encephalitis virus. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Cyril Baltazar, Farm Superintendent II, toured him around the institutional herd and reported the animal inventory and milk production in the farm.

During his visit, Secretary Dar instructed DA-PCC to establish more breeding farms, expedite distribution of carabao modules, innovate, and intensify herd build up for higher milk production in order to contribute to the country’s increasing food requirements. He furthered that the role of carabaos is still important in agriculture even with mechanization.

The agri chief was accompanied by DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo, Deputy Executive Director for Production and Research Dr. Claro Mingala, DA Central Luzon Regional Director Crispulo Bautista, and Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes.

(Photo and additional information from Sec. William Dar’s Official FB Page)

The Department of Agriculture -Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), through its Socio-Economics and Policy Section (SEPS), conducted a lecture-discussion to strengthen the adaptive capacity of carapreneurs on climate change.

The activity was part of an awareness campaign to enhance livestock cooperatives’ adaptation and mitigation strategies on the effects of climate change to their livelihood. It also highlighted the contribution of livestock industry to greenhouse gases and how to lessen its harmful effect on the environment. Studies show that 9.7% of unmanaged carabao manure contributes to greenhouse gases around the globe.

Gerardo F. Delos Santos, chairman of the Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Carabao Cooperatives (NEFEDCCO), shared that climate change had impacted their livelihood as carabao raisers.

“Masyadong nakakaapekto ang climate change sa kabuhayan ng mga tao. May mga ‘di inaasahang pagbaha at kalamidad. Nakakaapekto rin ito sa bukid kagaya ng pagdudulot nito ng sakit sa mga palay at mais. Nakakaapekto sa mga pagkain ng hayop, ‘yong mga damo parang ‘di na gaanong tumutubo. Dahilan din ang climate change sa pagkakasakit ng mga alaga naming hayop (Climate change has impacted our livelihood. From unexpected floods and disasters to causing diseases to our crops such as rice and corn. It also affects the growth of forages for our carabaos and causes illness to our livestock),” said Delos Santos.

Estella P. Valiente, OIC of SEPS, served as the resource speaker during the lecture-discussion. She explained that as the temperature rises, it affects the performance of carabaos in milk production. The shelf life of processed milk will also be shorter.

“Tumataas din ang gastusin nila sa tubig. Sa ngayong malamig-lamig, once or twice ang paligo nila sa kalabaw. Pero pag tag-init, 3 to 5 times nila pinapaliguan to keep them cool (Their water consumption has also increased. Now that the weather is cold they bathe their carabaos once or twice. But during the summer, they need to bathe them 3 to 5 times to keep them cool),” added Valiente.

Valiente then urged the carapreneurs to use innovative materials in making climate-smart housing such as the installation of sprinklers, mists, and electric fan to cool off their livestock.

She reminded participants to utilize organic and eco-friendly ways to manage carabao manure such as vermicomposting. Valiente also encouraged to plant trees as a way to mitigate the effects of climate change as trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen and help cool the environment.

The lecture-discussion ended with an open forum and an interactive sharing of carapreneurs on their own effective ways of managing carabao manures. Approximately 50 participants from different dairy cooperatives from Nueva Ecija attended the activity.

Dr. Ronnie D. Domingo, DA-PCC OIC-Executive Director, was also present during the activity.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar has appointed former chief for planning and information management of DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) Dr. Liza Battad as the latter’s new executive director.

Dr. Battad was formally welcomed by the DA-PCC officials and employees today in a hybrid program (remote and on-site following standard safety and health protocols), as she assumed her functions, duties, and responsibilities as the newly appointed head of the agency.

DA-PCC OIC Executive Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo gave words of encouragement to Dr. Battad as she may face several hurdles in the service along the way, but assured her of PCCeans’ full support.

Deputy Executive Director for Admin. and Finance Dr. Caro Salces believes that the DA-PCC will soar to greater heights and achievements under Dr. Battad’s leadership and that she will lead the agency to become frontrunner of research and development in the livestock sector.

Deputy Executive Director for Production and Research Dr. Claro Mingala congratulated her and anticipated her full service in leading the workforce to attain the tasks mandated to the agency.

Former Executive Director Dr. Arnel Del Barrio also extended his welcome message to Dr. Battad via phone call.

“We’re here to support you and we’re delighted that the new director is a PCCean. I hope that we’ll continue to implement our program as mandated and overcome whatever challenges we may encounter through the culture of PCC i.e., we work as a team, we solve the problem together, and we move forward,” Dr. Del Barrio said.

Division Chiefs Dr. Eric Palacpac of the Knowledge Management, Dr. Eufrocina Atabay of the Research and Development (represented by Dr. Ma. Wyne Pagaduan), Aimee Fulgencio of the Admin and Finance, and Dr. Ericson Dela Cruz of the Planning and Information Management also gave their respective congratulatory messages and committed to give their unreserved support to her leadership, directives, and vision.

Moreover, DA-PCC regional center directors represented by Grace Recta of DA-PCC at Mariano Marcos State University (Luzon cluster), Ariel Abaquita of DA-PCC at La Carlota Stock Farm (Visayas cluster), and Dr. Lowell Paraguas of DA-PCC at Central Mindanao University also delivered their messages virtually.

In her message, Dr. Battad revealed that leading an organization has always been her dream and one of her prayers, thus, she considers her appointment as “fate”.

 “I draw inspiration from the former leaders of DA-PCC and the top management. We commit to the sets of success and milestones that we will all work together and let’s make DA-PCC’s presence felt across the country and viewed relevant at the level of the DA,” she averred.

She shared that comfort, hope, renewal, inspiration, serenity, and truth serve as her mantra to become a relevant and innovative leader with well-felt effects on the agency’s overall performance.

“We are destined to serve the purpose of our existence. Let’s be felt as catalyst of significant reforms for our clients. It’s not about us at PCC, it’s about the result of the carabao development program for the welfare of the clients,” she said.

“I hope that we will all be ready for a chance to change. Let us all be strong and stay afloat,” she concluded.

Dr. Battad took her oath of office before DA Secretary Dar last June 9. She was appointed following the retirement of Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, who had held the position of executive director for more than six years. Before filling the position, she had served as DA-PCC’s chief administrative officer and planning officer. Most recently, Dr. Battad served as the acting executive director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries and was also designated, in a concurrent capacity, as DA Assistant Secretary for regulations.

Her mettle and exemplary performance in government service is manifested by her notable accomplishments as DA-PCC’s planning officer; as lead for partnership development and international cooperation; and as head of the agency’s business development and commercialization unit.

Dr. Battad was a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics at the Pampanga Agricultural College, holds master’s degree in Agribusiness Management at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, and PhD degree in Community Development in the same university. Her first stint at DA-PCC started as a Project Development Officer II in 1996.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), through the Product Development and Innovation Section (PDIS) and KMD’s Learning Events Coordination Section (LECS), is currently conducting a virtual learning activity on Milkybun Production Training to pre-identified cooperatives by island clusters in coordination with the DA-PCC regional centers.

The two-day training employs a blended approach of lecture-discussion, open discussion, on-site virtual tour of the cooperative’s baking facility, followed by a hands-on training virtually supervised by PDIS team.

These select cooperatives were Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (1^st batch) representing Visayas cluster, Bohol Dairy Cooperative and Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (2^nd batch) for Visayas and Luzon clusters, respectively, and lastly, Baclay Multi-Purpose Cooperative for Mindanao cluster.

More or less 30 participants are trained initially from these identified cooperatives. More participants are anticipated from the National Impact Zone (NIZ) or the towns of Nueva Ecija and other DA-PCC regional centers in the future.

The PDIS team headed by Ms. Mina Abella, Supervising Science Research Specialist, explained the rationale of the said activity, which is to address the needs of the cooperatives in acquiring knowledge and skills about the Milkybun production.

On the other hand, Dr. Eufrocina C. Atabay, Chief of PCC’s Research and Development Division, discussed about the Technology Transfer Agreement or Non-disclosure agreement to ensure that the formulation of this technology is exclusive only to the trained cooperatives. She highlighted that this is the first technology or product cascaded for production to support the livelihood of our assisted farmers and partner-cooperatives.

The DA-PCC’s developed Milkybun, an enhanced nutribun owing to incorporation of carabao’s milk, contributes in addressing the malnutrition. Each bun’s nutritive value is equivalent to that of one glass of milk. The DA-PCC ensures that this product provides the energy requirement of the undernourished children, making it compliant to the standards set by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

This innovation complements provision of fresh milk in the ongoing DepEd’s School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) and DSWD’s Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). (Photo by Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative)

More undernourished children from far-flung and remote areas in Luzon can now benefit from local carabao’s milk following the onset of the distribution of sterilized canned milk with extended shelf life.

Piloting the distribution was the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Aurora with 4,568 beneficiaries under the nationwide school-based feeding program (SBFP) led by the Department of Education (DepEd).

The Licaong Agriculture Cooperative (LAC), one of the DA-PCC-assisted cooperatives in Luzon and milk supplier for the program, delivered in bulk a total of 159,880 cans of sterilized carabao’s milk to the designated drop-off points in Dingalan and San Luis, Aurora, which were received and inspected by their respective SBFP focals.

SDO started the distribution of sterilized milk today with assistance from the parents of the beneficiaries. It was done simultaneously with the provision of the students’ learning modules.

Under the program, each child will receive 180 ml sterilized canned milk every day for 35 feeding days.

Recently, the DA-PCC contracted a third-party toll packer to pack an initial four million cans of sterilized milk through a retort facility using some 40,000 liters of carabao’s milk supplied by local farmer’s cooperatives in Luzon. The products will be distributed in Regions 1 to 3 and parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

The retort process allows fresh carabao’s milk to be sterilized in aluminum cans without the need for preservatives.

Through this improved packaging, the shelf life of carabao’s milk is extended from seven days to six months, hence more school children will be able to drink nutritious carabao’s milk, particularly those in previously unreachable areas, and those with no electricity or limited storage facilities.

Aside from the extended shelf life, the sterilized canned milk can easily be transported, stored under room temperature without spoilage, and delivered in bulk rather than on a daily basis.

LAC is also set to deliver 153,725 cans of sterilized carabao’s milk to Bulacan; 4,000 to Mabalacat; and 24,219 to Olongapo before the end of June. Other DepEd SDOs that will distribute sterilized canned carabao’s milk to their respective beneficiaries include Zambales, Tarlac Province, Pampanga, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Pangasinan, San Fernando City, Kalinga, Tabuk City, Bataan, and Nueva Vizcaya.

The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), through the Product Development and Innovation Section (PDIS), recently reached a milestone in advancing products development by way of incorporating whey into its fruit-flavored isotonic drink. This means whey, which is previously considered as waste, is now put to good use while reducing harm to the environment.

The PDIS team headed by Ms. Mina Abella, Supervising Science Research Specialist, submitted the utility model for registration under the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, which was approved and published last February 2021.

The utility model relates to the use of whey and fruit as flavoring in beverage production. Whey is the liquid remaining after the milk has been curdled and strained during cheese production. It was previously considered as a pollutant or waste because of its high organic matter content causing serious environmental problems. Various technological approaches have been employed to convert whey into value-added products such as energy drinks.

“When we do cheese making, we only get the curds so the whey usually goes to waste. Instead of letting it go to waste, we thought we should just develop it into another valuable product as additional income for dairy cooperatives and interested entrepreneurs. We wanted to add value to it because whey is still nutritious. In fact, whey-based food and beverage products are already introduced in the market and they are often a choice for health-conscious people,” Abella said.

She furthered that whey is an excellent source of high quality protein and amino acids good for muscle tissue development. It also helps in lowering blood pressure, enhancing the body’s antioxidant defense, which can prevent or slow down the damage of cells caused by free radicals, and promoting weight loss.

Out of 10 liters of fresh milk utilized for cheese production, 8 to 10 liters of whey are produced. The fruit-flavored isotonic drink utilizes fresh acid whey and aims to reduce its lactose content using lactase enzyme. The collected whey is then used in preparation of an isotonic whey beverage intended for the lactose intolerant and to replenish nutrients that are lost during physical activities.

 The drink is flavored to give a much more soothing, refreshing, and pleasing drinking experience for consumers. Currently, the fruit flavoring includes mango, lemon and orange. The DA-PCC at Central Luzon State University (CLSU) has also produced a line of whey products such as whey vinegar, whey wine, whey taho and ricotta cheese. 

Agrarian reform beneficiaries and small coconut farmers in Biliran have recently ventured in social entrepreneurship by joining the Coconut-Carabao Development Project (CCDP), a joint undertaking of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) and DA-Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA).

Said venture commenced with the entrustment of 34 head of dairy buffaloes as seed animals to the recipient cooperative Canila Agrarian Reform (CARCO) last April 26-27 in Brgy. Canila, Biliran, Biliran.

CARCO is a small coconut farmers organization (SCFO) supported by the DA-PCA. This cooperative is composed of farmer-members who are cultivating rice and coconut.

Currently, CARCO is an active recipient of DA-PCA’s Kasaganaan sa Niyugan ay Kaunlaran ng Bayan (KAANIB) Projects with components that include distribution of cacao seedlings and livestock dispersal. As an active SCFO involved in DA-PCA’s KAANIB Enterprise Development Program (KEDP), CARCO was selected by DA-PCA to serve as conduit cooperative for the CCDP in Biliran.

The recipients were initially met with challenges on handling the crossbred buffaloes but with the introduction of Cara-Aralan sa Niyugan, they were gradually walked through on how to go about with the project. Cara-Aralan sa Niyugan is a blended learning modality on dairy buffalo management and production.

Chrestian Bacalla, project development officer for CCDP-Biliran, said while the farmers were initially challenged to take on the project, they were grateful of this opportunity and they are willing and committed to make their newfound venture a success.

The entrustment activity was also attended by DA-PCC’s Regional Center Operating in Eastern Visayas led by Director Francisco Gabunada, Jr, Senior Science Research Specialist Dr. Ivy Fe Lopez, Community Development Officer Renato Briones, and Farm Superintendent Andres Amihan, Jr.

Photos by Chrestian Bacalla