The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Region V (DA-RFO V) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for their joint partnership in conserving, propagating, and promoting the carabao as a source of milk, meat, draft power, and hide to benefit rural farming communities in the Bicol region. This signing took place on September 25, 2023, at Constitution Hills, Quezon City.
The partnership aims to promote agricultural development by providing policy frameworks, public investments, support services for agricultural business enterprises, and technical assistance to livestock clients. The main components of the project include the DA-PCC Bicol Satellite Office and the supplementation of liquid nitrogen within the region. Liquid nitrogen is used to cryopreserve livestock germplasm for genetic improvement and upgrading.
This initiative is funded through the PL480 project, with the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) serving as the fund manager.
The MOA was signed by DA-PCC OIC-Executive Director Dr. Caro B. Salces, DA RFO V Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla, witnessed by DA-PCC at UPLB Center Director Dr. Thelma A. Saludes, and DA-RFO V Regional Livestock & Poultry Program Coordinator Dr. Marissa E. Guillermo.
PCAF OIC Executive Director Julieta Opulencia and DA-PCC Deputy Executive Director and PL480 Project Leader Dr. Claro N. Mingala were also in attendance during the signing.
