Author: Mari Joan A. Nefulda

The Philippine Carabao Center at Mariano Marcos State University (PCC-MMSU) remains an ISO 9001:2008 compliant entity after passing the re-certification audit conducted by TUV SUD PSB Philippines on January 27.

Erveene Zoleta and Brenda Estonanto, both TUV auditors, and Jose Arceo Bautista, an industry expert, conducted the re-certification audit, which focused on the scope of implementation of the Carabao Development Program, specifically in addressing concerns related to genetic improvement, carabao-based enterprise development, and research and development. Quality plans, procedures and processes were audited in accordance with the standard requirements of ISO 9001:2008.

The audit report indicated that the management system of the PCC-MMSU remains effective and compliant to the standard. It also stated that the observations/findings by the auditors did not have any adverse effect on the effectiveness of the center’s management system.

The report further recognized three positive aspects of the system, namely: 1) its being a PSAS Awardee for 2013 for Best Paper on “Reducing Calf Mortality through Improved Housing Management and Early Introduction of concentrate and Forage Grasses” by Dr. Catherine P. Dabalos; 2) for the two consecutive years of outstanding achievements by Francisco Alex Dani Pasion, a PCC-MMSU trained Village-based Artificial Insemination Technician (VBAIT), and 3) for its Customer Satisfaction Ratings for AI, Bull Loan, Frozen Semen Distribution and Client’s Training that were well above the target of 3.75.

As to the evaluation of other aspects, the auditors reported proof of continuous improvement in all management areas, and that the center consistently responds to relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

PCC-MMSU was first certified on March 2011 for its quality management system, holding the distinction of being the first ISO-certified PCC regional center. It successfully passed the surveillance audits on March 2012 and 2013 to complete one cycle of certification.

Headed by center director Grace Marjorie R. Recta, PCC-MMSU continues in its commitment to deliver quality products and services to its clienteles. To date, all nine permanent employees of the center have undergone training on internal quality audit.

The center’s QMS team is composed of Florencio T. Malicad Jr, quality management representative; Cesar C. Arevalo, lead auditor; and Mari Joan Nefulda, document control officer.

Close of 300 dairy farmers in Nueva Ecija and neighboring areas availed of yet another opportunity to acquire additional knowledge and technical know-how on various useful technologies during the Farmers’ Field Day (FFD) conducted on March 27 at the National Headquarters and Gene Pool of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The FFD was one of the major highlights of the observance of PCC’s 21st founding anniversary, which revolved around the theme: “Leading a Noble Paradigm: Research for Development.”

The field day was intended to promote the continuing collaboration among the agency’s front-liners, researchers and PCC-assisted dairy farmers in addressing concerns in dairying and providing clearer understanding on how to improve the farmers’ productivity and income.

The resource persons and their respective presentations during the technology demonstrations were: Dr. Daniel Aquino, gene pool and nutrition unit head, for Total Mix Ration-Making (TMR); Isagani Cajucom, chairman of CBE Foundation, for silage-making; Herminia Mallari, chairwoman of Kapitbahayan sa A. Mabini Producers Cooperative, for Urea-Treated Rice Straw-Making (UTRS); Arman Lopez, Village-Based Artificial Insemination Technician (VBAIT) and chairman of Aglipay Multi-Purpose Cooperative, for actual heat detection; Leoncio Callo, chairman of Catalanacan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, for proper milking and milk handling; and Mylyn Espiritu, Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Team (PMET) member of Kapitbahayan sa A. Mabini Producers Cooperative, for vermi-composting.
A total of 164 farmer-participants from Nueva Ecija, which is the National Impact Zone (NIZ) of the Carabao Development Program, and 114 from the Regional Impact Zones (RIZ), attended the learning sessions. They were subdivided into six groups in accordance with the six techno-demonstrations.

“The field day was really intended for farmers like us and it helped us a lot. I gained additional knowledge, especially on animal nutrition. The new members in the co-op also acquired knowledge on the different technologies demonstrated to them by our speakers,” Melchor Correa, chairman of Eastern Multi-Purpose Cooperative, said.
The open forum that followed the technology demonstrations provided the opportunity for the participants to raise their concerns and to clarify matters relevant to the technologies discussed and demonstrated.

“It’s about time that research activities and technology development efforts are directed toward addressing the needs of farmers, particularly on how they can earn more and how their work can be lessened.”

This call was aired by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in his message delivered by Assistant Secretary for Livestock Davinio P. Catbagan during the anniversary program held March 27 Munoz, Nueva Ecija in observance of the 21st founding anniversary of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC).

“The celebration’s theme, ‘Leading a Noble Paradigm: Research for Development,’ is timely in light of recent developments in the agriculture and livestock sectors, particularly the upcoming ASEAN integration in 2015,” Sec. Alcala added.

The PCC is taking a shift in its research agenda, from R&D to “R4D” (Research for Development), which encourages the agency’s researchers to conduct studies that have practical application in the livestock industry.

“This shift will improve the efficiency of PCC’s operations in terms of budget and manpower,” Sec. Alcala noted.

To formally launch the agency’s new research direction, Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, PCC national R4D coordinator, presented the newly crafted R4D agenda.

In his presentation, he pointed out the difference between research and development (R&D) approach as opposed to research for development (R4D) and why there is a need for a new paradigm.

R&D utilizes the knowledge-initiated approach directed primarily towards generating information or knowledge without necessitating any practical application. R4D, on the other hand, puts emphasis on development as the end-result of research. Research undertakings are problem-focused and relevant to the concerns of the industry it serves, he explained.

In the case of PCC, researches conducted should have practical applications in the livestock industry and in the carabao sector, in particular, to better serve its partners and clienteles, especially the farmers, he added.

Meanwhile, PCC’s outstanding employees and partner stakeholders who continue to support and contribute to the realization of PCC’s mandates were honored during the anniversary program.

Other highlights of the celebration included the inauguration of an electronic milking parlor at the PCC gene pool and a Farmers’ Field Day participated in by dairy farmers from the agency’s National Impact Zone (NIZ) and several Regional Impact Zones (RIZ). Model farmers from the NIZ and some PCC technical staff showcased different PCC-developed technologies to the farmer-participants and encouraged them to adopt and apply the technologies in their carabao and milk production activities.

The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) is embarking on a new paradigm as it marks its 21st founding anniversary with a week-long celebration that will run on March 24-28, 2014.

With the theme, “Leading a noble paradigm: Research for Development”, the celebration will highlight the shift of PCC’s “research and development” paradigm into “research for development,” putting more emphasis on development as the end-result of its research efforts.

According to Dr. Eric Palacpac, PCC’s R&D national coordinator, in the new paradigm, the agency encourages its researchers to undertake research activities deliberately for development, such as those that will have “practical applications and direct benefits to the water buffalo sub-sector, the livestock industry and smallholder buffalo farmers,” among others.

Another highpoint of the celebration will be the blessing of a new milking parlor for the agency’s institutional herd at the PCC Gene Pool.

The PCC’s partner-farmers will be joining the celebration through participation in a farmers’ field day where PCC-developed technologies will be showcased and demonstrated to them.

The PCC will also honor its outstanding employees who have excelled in the performance of their duties. Awards will also be given in various categories to top-performing farmers, cooperatives and dairy animals.

The PCC was established on March 27, 1992 when then Pres. Corazon Aquino signed into law RA 7307 or the Carabao Development Act of 1992. It became operational in 1993 when former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos launched the National Carabao Development Program.

More than two decades later, PCC is now recognized as a reputable R&D institution here and abroad, and a leading figure in livestock biotechnology research and development in the country.

Dr. Felomino V. Mamuad, officer in charge of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), has declared that he will do his best in steering the institution toward the attainment of its goal as the lead agency in livestock biotechnology in the Department of Agriculture (DA) network.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala named Dr. Mamuad as PCC’s OIC on January 9, following the retirement from government service of Dr. Libertado C. Cruz, who headed PCC for 20 years.

Prior to his current designation, Dr. Mamuad served as PCC’s deputy executive director.

He stressed that during his stint as the new PCC head, he will fully support further development of the various technologies developed by the PCC scientists and researchers relative to the agency’s genetic improvement program and other matters with bearing on the agency’s major concerns.

He added that the agency will continue to strengthen its linkages and collaboration with local and international organizations in the country and abroad.

With regard to carabao-raising and dairying, he said that PCC will focus on helping farmers provide nutritional intervention for their animals as “nutrition (for the animal) is essential in increasing the productivity of buffaloes for milk, which will eventually lead to higher farmers’ incomes.”

Dr. Mamuad likewise said he will strengthen the operationalization of the feed processing center of PCC at its National Gene Pool.

The processing facility was established in 2004. It is one of the outcomes of the collaboration between PCC and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 2001 to 2005.

“I believe that we can lead in processing buffalo feed especially for our institutional herd,” he declared. “We have the facilities, we can do it,” he added.

Dr. Mamuad further said he plans to work on increased production of organic fertilizer and production of biogas out of carabao manure.

“I think biogas, particularly, can help families for their cooking needs and, to some extent, for their lighting needs,” he said.

“I will ensure that PCC continues to work well and develop the technologies and other appropriate measures that can help our dairy farmers improve their lives further,” he assured.