Agencies gear up for GM animals through regulatory training

In 2017, a breed of fast-growing Atlantic salmon became the first genetically modified (GM) animal to be sold to Canadian consumers. It is also the first transgenic animal to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption after 25 years of regulatory lobbying. The said fish, a variety of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), is engineered to grow faster than its non-genetically modified counterpart.

In preparation for the eventual entry of GM salmon, animals and by-products to the Philippine market, the Biotechnology Program Office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BPO), in collaboration with the Livestock Biotechnology Center, held a capability training on GM animals last April 11-13, 2018 at the Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Regulatory officers from DENR, DILG, DOST and DOH participated in lecture-discussions and laboratory hands-on training to refresh their knowledge on basic molecular biology techniques, be updated about the state-of-the-art GM animal development in foreign countries and presented with relevant domestic laws and policies pertinent to the use and regulation of GM animals.

“International trade will make it possible for GM salmon or similar products to reach Philippine shores, unfortunately, our system is not ready. This training is a step towards establishing a regulatory for GM animals,” said DA-Biotechnology Program Assistant Director Analyn L. Lopez in her opening address.

The said activity aims to capacitate representatives of the agencies previously involved in the Joint Department Circular 1, series of 2016 on the “Rules and Regulations for the Research and Development, Handling and Use, Transboundary Movement, Release into the Environment, and Management of Genetically-Modified Plant and Plant and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology” to help the Philippine government to put in place animal biotechnology regulatory mechanisms for the possible arrival of GM animals in the country.

The recently concluded training is tagged as a build-up activity of the upcoming 14th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) celebration, with the theme, “Bioteknolohiya: Pambansang Hamon, Pambansang Solusyon”.

The National Biotechnology Week is celebrated every last week of November by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1414, s. 2007.

Annual ‘Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival’ attests strong ties among farmers, public, others

“The continuous celebration of ‘Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival’ is an indication of our active partnership, collaboration, and unity.”

This was emphasized by PCC Executive Director Dr. Arnel N. Del Barrio in his message during the celebration of the 12th Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival held last May 9 in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

He added that the reason for the sustainable celebration of “Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival” is due to the unified efforts of both public and private sectors, national agencies, local and provincial government units, and farmers.

The municipal government of Talavera was this year’s host of the festival. The celebration coincided with the observance of the feast of the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, and “Farmer’s Week”.

Dr. Del Barrio, in his address, gave a gist of the PCC’s program and efforts in sustaining carabao production and population in the country and in its pursuit of helping improve the lives of smallhold farming families.

He said the farmers can benefit in tending upgraded carabaos as these are sturdier work animals, better milk providers and meatier sources of food than the native carabaos.

“Once they (the farmers) start milking their carabaos, they start earning daily income. This is what we want all of you to know that there is profit out of dairying. Hence, PCC will continue to sustain its program in order to help many more farmers,” he added.

As an affirmation of the benefits of carabao dairying, Michael Pascual, who once was a tricycle driver and now one of the progressive farmers in Talavera, shared his testimony on how the PCC’s program helped him and his family improve their daily living.

“I can say that carabao raising is indeed a beneficial venture and I think PCC has done its job well in implementing its program. I am one of the many lives that PCC has touched and changed,” Pascual declared.

He added that because of the income from the milk sales, he is now financially able to send his children to good schools, provide his family’s needs, and he even afforded to buy their own car.

In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the annual “Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival” aims to promote carabao’s milk not only for its economic benefits but also for its important contributions to the health and nutrition of small-hold dairy farmers and their families as well as milk consumers in general.

The highlight of the celebration was the ceremonial slicing of the 180 x 112 x 4cm (LxWxH) kesong puti (white cottage cheese), which used 400kg of carabao’s milk prepared by PCC.

As a tradition in every “Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival”, representatives from different government agencies and LGUs led the symbolic “tagay pugay” (toast of salutation) with schoolchildren. This gesture was meant to symbolize the recognition of the importance of carabao’s milk in enhancing the health of people who partake of it and its contribution toward improving the economic well-being of the Filipino dairy farmers.

The yearly “Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival” is made possible through a technical working group participated in by DTI, PCC, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Agriculture (DA) as well as the provincial and local government units.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Talavera, thru the initiative of Mayor Nerivi Martinez, is planning to apply to set a record next year in the “Guinness World Records” for the title “Biggest Kesong Puti in the Philippines”.

Other activities included in the celebration were ecumenical service, trade fair, colorful street dances performed by high school students in Talavera and a special dance number from PCC mascots “Kalaboy” and “Kalagirl”.

PCC conducts another round of facilitator’s workshop on Farmer Livestock School

Twenty-five participants completed an 11-day learning event for facilitators under the Farmer Livestock School on Dairy Buffalo Production (FLS-DBP) project conducted by the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) last April 16-30, 2018.

Eight of them were PCC regional centers’ staff members, seven were Local Government Unit officials, and 10 were progressive farmers from South and North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, La Union, Pangasinan, and Ilocos Norte.

The learning event was aimed at enhancing the delivery of extension support, education, and training services (ESETS) of PCC towards participatory technology development and eventual adoption or utilization by village-based dairy buffalo farmers.

“A series of lectures with actual demonstration, workshops, field exposure and hands-on activities aimed at equipping of participants with knowledge and skills as facilitators on FLS-DBP were featured in the learning event,” Dr. Eric Palacpac, Information Officer V and FLS-DBP project leader, said.

The FLS-DBP project adopted a platform for trainers and participants to learn interactively by exchanging ideas and breaking the teacher-student barrier.

The participants underwent six training courses, as prepared by the module developers from the PCC. These courses were: (1) Preparing Facilitators for FLS Implementation; (2) Mobilizing Communities for FLS; (3) Raising Healthy and Productive Dairy Buffalo; (4) Building Enterprises from Buffalo; (5) Participatory Technology Development; and (6) Participatory Tools to Measure FLS Effects and Impacts.

“As one of the expected outputs of this training, LGU-partners will be the lead implementers of this learning platform in their respective areas with the village-based dairy buffalo farmers as participants,” Dr. Palacpac emphasized.

He added that the good thing about this training is that “we do not impose on the farmers to adopt the technologies, instead, they will learn about various technology options and choose and adopt which is (are) appropriate or suitable to their local conditions.”

The learning event was organized by the PCC’s Knowledge Management Division under Dr. Palacpac. FLS-DBP module developers from the PCC National Headquarters and PCC at Central Luzon State University served as facilitators. Project staff members Ms. Rovelyn T. Jacang and Mr. Erwin M. Valiente, served as members of the secretariat cum facilitators.

PCC’s “Silver Fun Run” makes runners feeling #GreatToInspire for a noble cause

PCC finds creative ways to help grassroots communities through its programs.

As part of the PCC Silver Anniversary celebration, a “Silver Fun Run” was held with the aim of generating funds for a beneficiary of a feeding project that is still about to be chosen within Nueva Ecija.

Organized by the PCC Employees Association (PCCEA), the Silver Fun Run was held at the PCC headquarters in the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija last March 13.

The idea of the organizers was to give the participants a time to enjoy fellowship with colleagues rather than staging a competition. It was part of this anniversary week’s theme: “Great to Inspire”.

The fun run kicked off with a warm up dance by Zumba instructor Mark Castillo. At the starter’s signal, 5km distance runners began to race followed by the 2km distance runners after a 15-minute time interval.

Some 260 runners participated in the event. They represented various organizations to include dairy farmer cooperatives within the Science City of Muñoz, San Jose City, and Sto. Domingo all in Nueva Ecija and employees from PCC at Central Luzon State University and PCC’s Office of the Executive Director.

“It was overwhelming because we didn’t expect the outpouring of support from the community,” the organizers of the event said.

The 5km distance winners were Aaron Magluyan and Juliana Enad of CLSU-ASTS, who received Php2,500 prize each. The second placers were Dominidor Beronilla of Gene Pool and Marian Rica Anova, while Edwin Cruz of Eastern Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (EPMPC) and Via Miranda ranked third.

In the 2km distance category, first placers were Edwin Castro and Lovelyn Ventuvia of CLSU-ASTS, who received Php1,000 each. The second placers were Hardgel Gutierrez of Cabanatuan and Luca Villeng, while Eroll Jay Calanno and Arianne Abella of CLSU-ASTS ranked third.

All the winners also received dairy products from Milka Krem.

The sponsors of this event who provided cash prizes for the winners and covered the event expenses were the PCC Multi-Purpose Cooperative, EPMPC, Catalanacan Multipurpose Cooperative, Pulong Buli Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Producers Cooperative, Milka Krem, and VIVO Company.

“Although I felt nervous at first, I am happy that I won”, said Juliana Enad, Grade 9 of CLSU-ASTS.

PCC-NDA sponsored activity
Dairy safety regulations revised, clarified in a Public Forum

Based on the issues raised by the individuals involved in dairy production, certain provisions of the regulations have been revised.

Also, issues related to the regulations were clarified for the better understanding of the stakeholders.

A public consultation was held by the National Dairy Authority in partnership with the Philippine Carabao Center last March 8 at Eusebio Hall, PCC National Headquarters and Genepool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija with a total of 104 participants, mostly coming from Regions 1, 2 and 3.

These participants are composed of carabao farmers, cooperative members, middlemen, managers and private entrepreneurs, Cagayan State University and Mariano Marcos State University personnel, PCC veterinarians and staff and DA senior agriculturist.

The most important provision revised during the forum is on Article 4 Section 3 about the Somatic Cell Count which will now be done monthly if possible, and will cost Php6000 per sample.

Issues that were clarified during the forum is that every farm should have a Certificate of Compliance (COC) regardless of the size of the farm. It was emphasized that all farmers are required to apply for COC even if they already have a License to Operate or LTO issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To avoid hassle of enrolling individually, cooperatives can get COC for all its members. In cases when someone is both a producer and a consumer, the individual should have two licenses for both fields.

The Dairy Safety Regulations capacities are very important to the people involved for it will serve as their guide in milk production processes. It also includes the licenses needed for the producers and processors.

“The jurisdiction of these NDA regulations only covers the production of raw milk. It will not include the post-harvest processes,” Judith A. Platero, Project Management Officer of NDA, clarifies. The FDA is the one responsible if the milk is already pasteurized.

According to Lennard Bryle Rosal, Food Technologist III of NDA, there are 11 regulatory agencies under the Department of Agriculture (DA) and each of these agencies should make their own regulations.

PCC celebrates 25 years of continuous ‘great sharing’

Bearing the theme “Great to Share and Celebrate”, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) has set the stage for the month-long celebration of its silver anniversary starting March 1, with its three-day grand affair on March 25-27.

Each section and division of PCC’s national headquarters and genepool, including its regional centers, will host weekly activities in support of the hashtags – #GreatToShare#GreatToInnovate#GreatToInspire, and, of course, #GreatToCelebrate.

These hashtags summarize what this agency has been constantly imparting to its clients, partners, collaborators, stakeholders and employees. They were inspired by its ultimate goal of improving the breed of the carabaos in the country and shower the rural families with benefits derived from it.

The launching of the “Philippine Dairy Carabao” breed will be bannered by the introduction of the PCC mascots Kalaboy and Kalagirl. The giving of recognition to outstanding PCC employees as well as appreciation to all those who have played big roles in its journey all through the years will be also held.

Special sharing sessions and cultural Filipino games for its employees will also highlight the celebration.

More than 500 guests will join the PCC officials and employees during the anniversary program that will also include an evening event for PCC employees. The PCC has invited important personalities, including retired PCC employees, the living pillars, as well as its partners from various agencies.

The grandfather of PCC, former president of the Philippines, and now, City Mayor of Manila, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, will serve as the guest of honor during the anniversary program. Senate Committee Chair on Agriculture Sen. Cynthia Villar is also expected to grace the event.

Experts from SEA talk about surra in PCC-hosted int’l confab

Experts from different Southeast Asian countries shared their knowledge and expertise in combatting surra during a five-day international conference and training workshop hosted by the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at its national headquarters and genepool in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Titled, “Trypanosomes and their vectors in animals and humans in Southeast Asia (SEA)”, the event was aimed at expanding knowledge of the participants on trypanosomes and its vectors, developing skills on biting fly trapping, and identifying various diagnostic techniques for trypanosomes including ELISA and molecular techniques.

Held last January 15-19, it was also meant to support the strengthening of the country’s veterinary services to control surra in accordance with the international standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and in the development of joint research projects among French and South East Asian research institutions and universities.

The activities consisted of a series of lecture-discussions, laboratory hands-on and open workshop for the enhancement of skills and knowledge of participants of allied fields from the academe, research institutions and animal service laboratories of government and private sectors in the Philippines.

The Faculty of Veterinary Technology of Kasetsart University (FVT/KU) in Bangkok, Thailand; International Center for Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD), and the Central Mindanao University under the umbrella of the BioZoonoSEA Platform and GREASE helped organize the activities undertaken during the training-workshop.

Their roles strengthened cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary exchanges about trypanosomosis survey and management among professionals from different sectors (animal health, human health, environment, and rural development).

PCC Executive Director Dr. Arnel N. Del Barrio welcomed the guests and the participants. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of addressing and analyzing the issues related to Trypanosomes as it greatly affects the health condition of animals, specifically buffaloes not just in the Philippines but in other countries as well.

“We are certain that this workshop will end with fruitful discussions and promising collaborations,” Dr. del Barrio said.

Dr. Reuben Sharma, Dr. April Wardhana, and Prof. Sathaporn Jittapalapong discussed the situation of surra and its vectors in Malaysia, results of the survey on Trypanosoma evansi in Indonesia, and zoonotic parasites in Thailand, respectively.

On the other hand, the activity went interactive as Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) talked about the “Current status of surra and its control in the Philippines”. His presentation elaborated and complemented the topic presented by Dr. Allan Dargantes (CMU) regarding “Situation and impact of surra in the livestock in Mindanao” and the discussion by Dr. Jose Escarlos Jr. of Central Mindanao University (CMU) on the “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of village farmers in Mindanao for surra and its control”.

The other resource persons were Dr. Rafael Mercado of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who talked about “The Mindanao Unified Surra Control Approach (MUSCA) Experience”; Dr. Claro Mingala of PCC who focused on “Buffalo breeding program in the Philippines including the problem of surra and hematophagous flies”, and Dr. Marc Desquesnes of CIRAD who tackled the topic “A typical human infection by animal trypanosomes in SEA”.

After an open confab at Day 1, it was followed by a series of training workshop that focuses on “Biting Insects biology and trapping”, “Biting flies trapping and identification/Trypanosome DNA-based identification”, “Biting flies and Trypanosomes: identification” and “Trypanosomes: parasitological, serological and molecular diagnosis” from Day 2 to Day 5.

The topic presentations were complemented with laboratory hands-on. A total of 60 participants attended the training-workshops.

Value chain importance in carabao industry cited in PCC’s 3rd National Carabao Conference

Value chain analysis (VCA) of the carabao industry is crucial to understand relationships, different key players, markets, opportunities, as well as the constraints in the production and competitiveness of small-hold farmers.

This was emphasized by Dr. Arnel N. Del Barrio, executive director of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), in his industry report during the Third National Carabao Conference held last November 27-28. The confab was held at the national headquarters of PCC in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

He said that in the past two years, the value chain of carabao and carabao-based products was analyzed with assistance from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

“Sometimes, we only focus on producing milk. We don’t usually pay much attention on the consumers, suppliers of feeds and antibiotics and drugs. But in the value chain, we are all considered important players and contributors to the value of products, thus, we need to converge and reconcile,” he elucidated.

He added that the value chain in the carabao and carabao-based products encompasses different phases such as production, processing, and delivery thru market-focused collaboration among different stakeholders who produce and market value-added products.

He said that those involved are the players in input provision, carabao growing or milk production, collection or storage, processing, and trading or marketing.

“Through the analyzed value chain, we can determine those areas that need further investments, funds, and specific measures for improvement. The ultimate goal is to increase the income of the carabao farmers and enhance the growth of the dairy and meat industries,” he averred.

Other highlights of the PCC’s accomplishments, according to Dr. del Barrio, included the creation of partnerships with government and non-government organizations/agencies to address poverty of the farmers and malnutrition of the children, creation of sustainable markets, provision of credit window for carabao-based enterprise development (CBED), institutionalization of training program thru the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), launching of International Confab on CBED, and a number of promotional and educational strategies to promote the agency’s program and services.

“As of now, we’ve already launched three Dairy Boxes, one in Luzon and two in Visayas. If God will bless us, we target to launch and open 21 Dairy Boxes next year to create sustainable markets of our products. If farmers have a ready market, they will be inspired and motivated to milk their carabaos and contribute more to the dairy industry,” Dr. del Barrio said.

The event was attended by at least 500 farmers and other stakeholders in the carabao-based industry.

Also part of the event was the convergence meeting of partner-stakeholders in the industry, and simultaneous signing of the partners, farmers and other stakeholders on a commitment board to support the carabao industry.

During the opening program, the mechanics of the launching of the “Gintong Kalabaw Cup” were presented via an infographic video presentation.

The winners of the search for “Gintong Kalabaw Cup”, “Modelong Juana sa Kalabawan”, “Modelong Kabataan sa Kalabawan”, “Outstanding Dairy Buffalo”, “Best Dairy Cooperative Category”, and “Outstanding Dairy Buffalo Farmers” for the smallhold, family module, and semi-commercial categories, were eventually announced and appropriately honored on the first day of the event.