Author: Evelyn G. Deligero/DA-Davao

Nineteen Information Officers from the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) regional network were capacitated as news and feature writers and partners in delivering information that can benefit carabao farmers and other stakeholders.

Rowena Bumanlag, Knowledge Management Division-Applied Communication Section Head, said that the number of KMD personnel from the national headquarters who are doing information dissemination jobs is very lean and can only do so much.

“There are many good stories happening on the ground or in our station in the provinces but we seldom document them because of our limited time and number.  Our regional reportage is weak and we want to strengthen it,” she said.

The two-day training is dubbed as ‘Strengthening Reportage of Regional CDP Highlights’ held on March 28-29, 2019 at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

Four communication experts from different institutions served as resource speakers. These include Prof. Ben Domingo Jr., chair of the CHED Technical Committee for Journalism, who facilitated the output critiquing; Dr. Inez Ponce de Leon,  an Assistant Professor from Ateneo de Manila University, who talked on ‘Telling the Stories of Science its More than Just Giving Facts;  Ms. Rowena Paraan, head of Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo, who discussed ‘Effective Multi-Platform and Social Media engagement for information dissemination’;  and Mr. Jayson C. Berto, a Multimedia Production Specialist of DA-PhilRice, who facilitated the principles of agriculture photography and videography.

Bumanlag said after the training that the KMD will be requesting the PCC top management to issue a Special Order to all its regional centers to designate their respective Information Officers.

“ It is high time that each station will designate a person who mainly focuses on communication job,” Bumanlag said.

Alongside Bumanlag, other facilitators of the workshop include Dr. Eric Palacpac, KMD chief; Ma. Cecilia Irang, information officer; and Dr. Anselmo Roque, editorial consultant.

The participants of the training include Mark Edcille Canda from LAMAC Multipurpose Cooperative, Christine Helen Adriano from PCC at Central Luzon State University, Aileen Bulusan from PCC at Cagayan State University, Kimberly Turaja from PCC at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Marijoan Nefulda from PCC at Mariano Marcos State University, Joela Malijan from PCC at University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Victor Geroche from PCC at La Carlota Stock Farm, Jocer Dam Dolfo from PCC at West Visayas State University, Emy Goritte Gorra from PCC at Visayas State University, Leinefe Aton from PCC at Ubay Stock Farm, Ludivina Estimo from PCC at University of Southern Mindanao, Jeson Candole from PCC at Central Mindanao University, and Dorie Bastatas from PCC at Mindanao Livestock Production Complex.

There were also participants from PCC National Headquarters, which include Khrizie Evert Padre, Chrissalyn Marcelo, Charlene Corpuz, Charlene Joanino, and Jeffrey Laurence Antolin.  Participants from the Department of Agriculture Regional Offices include Evelyn Deligero from Davao region and Justin Aquino from Region 12.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) thru its Shared Service Facility (SSF) project awarded three units of Soft Ice Cream Machines to Bohol Dairy Cooperative (BODACO) during the launching activity on March 22 at Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stock Farm (PCC at USF), Lomangog, Ubay, Bohol.

BODACO requested the Php600,000-worth of equipment to increase its ice cream production, which is one of its highest selling products.

Beforehand, the co-op has two soft ice cream machines donated by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). These are placed in their outlets at the public markets of Ubay and Alicia. According to Shirley Molina, general manager of BODACO, one machine will be added to Alicia outlet while another will replace a malfunctioned unit in Ubay outlet. The placement of the remaining machine, however, is yet to be agreed with the management.

“The challenge now is to increase”, said Dr. Glen Doloricos, representative from the Provincial Government of Bohol as he emphasized that for every grant received, there must be improvements to the co-op and especially to its members.

Dr. Gundolino P. Bajenting, Officer In-Charge of PCC at USF added that the only way to upsurge the milk is to increase the number of farmers milking their carabaos. Furthermore, he committed that PCC will always be supportive of the co-op’s undertakings.

“The approval of the co-op’s proposal didn’t come easy though not also very hard”, according to Marisol Balistoy, OIC-Provincial Director of DTI-Bohol. “It has to undergo series of reviews and validations to ensure that guidelines of the SSF project will not be compromised”, she added.

The SSF project is a major component of DTI’s Micro Small & Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) program that aims to fill-in the production gaps of the existing enterprise to increase its income. Balistoy explained during her statement of the rationale that what qualified BODACO to avail is that the co-op has demonstrated a complete value chain on carabao dairy enterprise. It has raw milk production, toll processing, and marketing operations with the identified gaps.

Though the machines were awarded to the group, the ownership of these however, remains with DTI up to three years, as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Afterwards, the co-op can own these upon validation that the project has truly increased the income and the employment of the group.

Lita Aranas, one of the co-op’s Board of Directors who represented the chairman during the launching activity, expressed her gratitude to God for entrusting DTI to grant their ever-dreamt additional facilities. In her acceptance speech, Aranas stated that the co-op wholeheartedly accepts the blessing and the responsibility on the SSF project and commits to properly manage it and make it fruitful with the help of God.

Also extending their supports to the co-op thru their attendance and messages were: Mr. Benedicto Boyles, representing the Mayor of Ubay, Bohol and Ubay Vice-Mayor Nelso Uy.

The machines were tested at the end of the program while giving free soft ice cream to all attendees.

The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) conducted the “Value Chain Players Consultation on National School Feeding Program Implementation” last March 28, 2019 at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool, pursuant to the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11037 or “Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act”.

The activity was organized through concerted efforts of representatives from PCC’s 12 regional centers, the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA), Carabao-Based Enterprise Development (CBED) coordinators, cooperatives, local government units from Region III and other entities.

With the implementation period nearing, which is on June 2019 onwards, the activity was held to clearly identify the members of the value chain, which are categorized into five groups: milk producers, milk processors, milk distributors, implementers, and capability building group, in order to discuss issues as to how these groups will work together from producing the milk from the carabao, processing it, and distributing it to the intended beneficiaries in their respective regions.

The main issue addressed was the sufficiency of milk to cover the number of children to be fed, with possible solutions suggested such as formulation of a long-term development plan for animal production to breed potential milk producers, close monitoring of day-to-day milk inventory to prevent spoilage, promotion of ‘twice-a-day-milking’, and rental of lactating animals from private individuals, with the goal of increasing milk production.

As per estimate by the DepEd and DSWD, a total of 3.7 million children, need to be fed with fresh milk for 120 days in 100-200mL servings, with a total national requirement of approximately 605,000 liters per day.

The challenges ahead

Milk processors needed to ensure application for the necessary permits, compliance with milk quality and food safety standards, potential upgrading of existing plant facilities, and attendance to relevant training as required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The milk distributors were required to be registered with the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS).

On the other hand, implementers were tasked with the observation of the height and weight of the children, whether they correspond with their age requirements.

Members of the capability building group were assigned to coordinate with other government agencies for the provision of credit facilities and learning activities for the other groups to be equipped with required technical, financial, and product knowledge.

Dr. Caro B. Salces, PCC Deputy Executive Director, urged everyone to fully participate and give their best effort in order to minimize, if not eliminate, the problem of malnutrition in the country.

“Millions of local farmers, especially entrepreneurs, generate income and will not leave our country. They usher a sustainable and resilient progressive industry,” Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano for Policy and Planning of the Department of Agriculture said in his keynote address during the PCC’s 26^th anniversary program held March 27 at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

In attendance during the program were the progressive carabao entrepreneurs or carapreneurs that are being assisted by PCC.

PCC’s anniversary theme “Empowering ‘Carapreneurs’: Our Purpose in Focus” places on spotlight the outstanding carapreneurs who have exemplary testimonies on how the dairy buffalo-based business has empowered them to have a sustainable livelihood.

“We call our farmers as carapreneurs because we wanted them not only to raise buffaloes but to eventually imbibe the entrepreneurial spirit to maximize their profit from the business,” Dr. Arnel del Barrio, PCC executive director, said.

A book titled “25 Faces of Success in Carapreneurship” and a new farmers’ audio-visual presentation were launched during the program to underscore this year’s anniversary theme.

“In these productions, we featured the stories of carabao raisers who are now reaping the bountiful benefits of dairying because of their unrelenting persistence even despite their  struggles,” Rowena Bumanlag, anniversary overall chair and head of the Applied Communication Section of the Knowledge Management Division, said.

USec. Serrano lauded the PCC for ushering empowerment in many farming communities with the buffalo as an instrument of development.

The main highlight of the program was the awarding of outstanding farmers in various categories.

Carlo Magno Abellanosa of Don Carlos, Bukidnon was recognized as the “Best Family Module”; Catalanacan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAMPCI) of Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija was adjudged “Best Dairy Buffalo Farmer Cooperative”; Erlinda Mercader of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija as “Modelong Juana sa Pagkakalabawan”; and Rolly Richard Zalameda of Ormoc City, Leyte as “Outstanding Kabataan sa Pagkakalabawan”; Leopoldo Marcos of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija as “Outstanding Dairy Buffalo Farmer for Smallhold Category”; Eliseo Mislang of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija as “Outstanding Dairy Buffalo Farmer for Semi-Commercial Category”; and Andy Poe Garcia of Magalang, Pampanga as “Outstanding Dairy Buffalo Farmer for Commercial Category”. CAMPCI’s Miguel Alfonso took home the “Gintong Kalabaw Cup” for owning the “Best Senior Dairy Buffalo Cow”.

New categories were added in the roster of recognitions this year.  Carlos Cruz of Tanay, Rizal bagged the  “Outstanding Independent Dairy Farmer for Semi-Commercial Category” and Ernesto Padolina of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija for the commercial category.

Apart from the anniversary program, several other important events were conducted during the weeklong celebration that run from from March 25 to 29.

In the R4D Pre In-House Review, 18 on-going and 6 completed papers were evaluated. The papers are in line with the thematic fields of Biosafety, Genetic Improvement-Reproductive and Cryopreservation Techniques, Genetic Improvement-Animal Genomics/Genetic Diversity and Cryopreservation, Product Development, Socio-Economic Dimensions of CDP Implementation, and Production Management System. The In-house evaluators were Dr. Claro Mingala, PCC Scientist III and Livestock Biotech Center chief, Dr. Edwin Atabay, PCC Scientist I, and Dr. Eric Palacpac, PCC’s Knowledge Management Division chief.

Following this was a Farmer’s Field Day cum Technology Showcase that was attended by some 300 buffalo farmers from the national and regional impact areas of PCC. An exhibit that showcased the value chain of dairy buffalo production and management was featured in the technology showcase.

Another highlight was the PCC Employees’ Night where outstanding employees were recognized: “Outstanding Center Director” (Dr. Daniel Aquino of PCC@Central Luzon State University (PCC@CLSU); “Outstanding Supervisor” (Ludivina Estimo of PCC at University of Southern Mindanao); “Outstanding Development Officer” (Engr. Fiorelia Aguinaldo of PCC@CLSU), and “Outstanding Support Staff” (Ma. Corazon Casal of PCC at University of the Philippines Los Baños).  Employees who stayed loyal with PCC were also given recognition.

Among other activities that were simultaneously held were the “Value Chain Players Consultation on National School Feeding Program Implementation” and the “Training-Workshop for PCC Regional Information Officers (RIOs): Strengthening Reportage of Regional CDP Highlights”.

Capping off the weeklong celebration were the Sports Day, “Karwanan”, and HR Transformational Seminar.

The anniversary committee said “Karwanan” is a newly introduced PCC anniversary event that aims to create an unstructured and informal venue for fellowship among PCC employees to allow better rapport and camaraderie.

Bubalus, the official newsletter of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) won the Binhi Award’s “Agricultural Newsletter of the Year” given by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) on March 28 at the Makati Diamond Residences Hotel in Makati City.

The Binhi Award, an annual contest sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, is a prestigious recognition for journalism in agriculture.

“Since 1978 the PAJ has been conducting the Binhi Award to recognize the efforts and outstanding body of works of media persons covering the agriculture, environment and agrarian reform beats, including writers, editors and broadcast journalists for their reportage, agricultural publications, radio and television programs, and information campaign,” Noel Reyes, PAJ vice president for external affairs and chairman of the 2018 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards committee, said.

Bubalus (taken from a generic name of bovines where the water buffaloes belong), managed by the PCC’s Applied Communication Section-Knowledge Management Division (ACS-KMD), is a quarterly publication of PCC with nationwide circulation.

The said publication, launched by PCC only last year, is written in English and covers industry news and feature stories that are informative, timely, relevant, and engaging which are manifestations of the Carabao Development Program’s (CDP) present-day realities.

It also features stories related to the CDP’s major components, which include genetic improvement, research for development, and enterprise development. The stories are mostly experiences of farmers and other players in the carabao industry value chain showcasing their achievements.

Bubalus is edited by KMD chief Dr. Eric Palacpac, managed by ACS-KMD head Rowena Bumanlag and issue managed by Ma. Cecilia Irang. The ACS-KMD writers Charlene Joanino, Ma. Cecilia Irang, Khrizie Evert Padre, Chrissalyn Marcelo, and Charlene Corpuz are regular contributors.

The PAJ also honored PCC’s Editorial Consultant and Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent Dr. Anselmo Roque for his lifetime achievement and excellence in agricultural journalism.

According to newly-elected PAJ President Alfred Gabot, the 2018-PAJ-SMC Binhi awards featured three major categories (Agricultural Journalist, Agri Beat Reporter, and Environment Journalist of the Year) and 12 minor categories (Agricultural Magazine, Agricultural Newsletter, Agricultural Section of National Newspaper, Best Climate Change Story, Best Environment Story, Agri Regional Television Program, Agri National Radio Program, Agri Regional Radio Program, Agri Information and Media Campaign, Agri Photo Journalist, Best Agri News Story, and Best Agri Feature Story of the Year).

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who was the guest of honor and keynote speaker, underscored in his speech the importance of establishing a solid foundation of agriculture and innovations to withstand climate change. This is in view of the challenges posed by the weather forecast of El Niño and its possible effect in the country’s agriculture industry.

“There is a more pressing issue that everybody must focus on. How sustainable would our agriculture be given the reality that right now we would be facing a water crisis? We have to act now. We have to help one another so that a disaster which looms ahead of us, maybe 10 or 15 years from now, is not going to happen,” Sec. Piñol said.

He said the government is proposing several recommendations and has taken on interventions in preparation for the El Niño forecast, which include:  identification and protection of headwaters in the country; reforestation of mountains; building of small water impounding and catchment systems; and implementation of the solar power irrigation system and other sustainable irrigation systems.

The DA chief, along with PAJ President Gabot and former Agriculture Secretary Senen C. Bacani, chairman of the Board of Judges, handed over the cash prizes and trophies to the winners.

Other members of the Board of Judges were Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monetary Board Member Bruce Tolentino, veteran journalist and educator Dr. Crispin Maslog; SMC AVP for corporate and media affairs Mary Jane Llanes Oconer; and broadcast journalist and former party-list representative Angelo Palmones.

The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) was bestowed the “2018 Outstanding Institution Award” under Cluster IV (Divisions of Biological Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine) by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) during its Annual Scientific Conference and 86th General Membership Assembly on March 11, 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.

The award is given annually by the NRCP to institutions that have supported and contributed to the growth and development of basic sciences, humanities, and arts in the Philippines.

A body of scientists and researchers under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the NRCP is mandated to promote and support fundamental research for continuing improvement of research capability of individual or group scientists; foster linkages with local and international scientific organizations for enhanced cooperation in the development and sharing of scientific information; provide advice on problems and issues of national interest; and promotion of scientific and technological culture to all sectors of society.

The PCC received the “Outstanding Institution Award” in recognition of its significant institutional accomplishments in science, research capacity-building, contributions to the nation and groundbreaking researches consistently developed for the benefit of the carabao industry’s and value-chain stakeholders, foremost of which are the smallholder farmers through noteworthy contributions to improved milk and meat production, livelihoods, income, and nutrition.

Among the notable accomplishments of PCC include the establishment of gene pools that serve as sustainable source of genetically superior animals or germplasm for its breeding program, and the state-of-the-art biotechnology research facilities managed by highly trained researchers.

The PCC was evaluated based on various criteria such as Scientific and Technical Publications or Inventions (i.e. refereed journal articles, scientific books, manuals, monographs and handbooks and/or patents/utility models/industrial designs/copyrights/certificate of registration); External Linkages and Extension Services, including Support to Policy Formulation; Research/Service Awards and Recognitions Received; and Number of students (undergraduate and/or graduate) graduated/trained or number of Fellows mentored and persons trained.

The PCC, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, was created by virtue of Republic Act 7307 in 1992 and became operational in 1993. As the leading livestock R&D institution in the country, PCC is mandated to conserve, propagate, and promote the carabao as a source of milk, meat, draft power and hide to benefit the rural farmers.

More than 300 attendees are expected to join the five-day anniversary festivities of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) on March 25 to 29. The theme of the celebration is “Empowering ‘Carapreneurs’: Our Purpose in Focus”.

All the activities related to the celebration which marks the 26th founding anniversary of the agency will be held at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The term “carapreneurs” refers to carabao raisers turned carabao entrepreneurs.

“PCC is now focused on empowering our farmers in carabao-based communities through continuous development and assistance to related enterprises. Our purpose is not just to usher our clients to succeed in their business but to help them carry on what they have so far established as their own,” said Rowena Bumanlag, anniversary overall chair and the head of the Applied Communication Section of the Knowledge Management Division.

Bumanlag added that the PCC’s Carabao Development Program (CDP) implementation is ardent toward a sustainable carabao-based livelihood that aims to gradually empower farmers.

Among the PCC’s clients, 25 faces of success in carapreneurship were chosen to be featured in a video presentation and coffee table book. These include farmers, cooperatives and other past awardees of PCC who either exemplified remarkable entrepreneurial spirit or can demonstrate the tangible benefits of being participants in the national CDP.

During a program on March 27, outstanding farmers and employees of PCC will also be recognized.

The following awards will be given to : “Outstanding Dairy Buffalo Farmer”, “Outstanding Juana sa Pagkakalabawan”, “Outstanding Kabataan sa Pagkakalabawan”, “Gintong Kalabaw Cup”, “Outstanding Dairy Buffalo Cooperative”, and a special award for private individual farmer.

To highlight this year’s anniversary celebration, a keynote address shall be delivered by Dr. Segfredo Serrano, Department of Agriculture’s Undersecretary for Policy and Planning.

Serrano, a staunch advocate of the PCC, is an outstanding extensionist who is credited for the establishment of the Task Force on World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Agriculture (Re)negotiations (TF-WAR), a multi-sectoral group. The initiative is meant to better the negotiation between agriculture stakeholders in the government and private sectors.

Another highlight of the weeklong celebration is the “Farmer’s Field Day cum Technology Showcase” that will exhibit a complete industry value-chain of technologies and best practices for the appreciation of the public and farmer-clients.

Other activities lined up for the upcoming anniversary are the Pre-Inhouse R&D review, Knowledge Café, PCC Employees Association General Assembly and Election of New Officers, Carabao Value Chain Analysis Players Consultation Workshop, Employees’ Night, “Karwanan”, Training-Workshop for PCC Regional Information Officers (RIOs): Strengthening Reportage of Regional CDP Highlights, HR Transformational Seminar, and Sports Day.