Author: Chrissalyn L. Marcelo

Thirty-five officers from different dairy cooperatives in Nueva Ecija have completed a two-day training course on conflict management at the National Headquarters and Gene Pool of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in the Science City of Muñoz.

 

Held November 13-14, the training was conducted in conformity with the mandate from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for cooperative officers to undergo training that will enhance their competencies in performing their task and responsibilities.

 

According to the CDA, the training course on conflict management is one of 14 modules developed by the agency in partnership with the Coop Education Forum (CEF) as part of the Standard Training Curricula for Cooperative Officers in the country.

 

The curricula include the Basic Cooperative Course, Cooperative Management and Governance, Financial Management, Conflict Management, Parliamentary Procedure, Leadership and Values Re-orientation, Strategic Planning, Audit Management, Records Management, Entrepreneurial and Business Management, Basic Accounting for Non-Accountants, Internal Control, Rules Formulation, and the Cooperative Standards.

 

The CDA prescribes that this type of training must be facilitated only by its accredited training providers in various regions of the country.

 

For Region III (Central Luzon), the accredited CDA training provider is the training office at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU).

 

CLSU training director Teodora T. Battad gave lectures, initiated discussions and conducted workshops for the participants to become fully aware and knowledgeable about their duties and responsibilities as presented and discussed in the curricular contents.

 

PCC deputy executive director Dr. Felomino Mamuad, project development officer Mario Delizo and project evaluation officer Erickson Dela Cruz were on hand to perform their assigned roles in the conduct of the training.

 

One of the participants, Melchor Correa, chair of the Eastern Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (EPMPC) in San Jose City, said the training was very helpful as they acquired the appropriate knowledge on how to handle conflicts that crop up at times among members in their respective cooperatives.

 

Farmer-members of seven Nueva Ecija-based cooperatives have successfully completed a social preparation training held November 11-12 at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool in the Science City of Muñoz.

 

The training is one of the major requirements for farmers to qualify as trustees under the 25-dairy cow module project of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

 

Conducted by the PCC’s Dairy Herd Improvement and Enterprise Development Program (DHI-EDP) team, the training is intended to enhance the level of understanding and awareness of the farmer-trustees in relation to the steps and processes of applying for the PCC’s dairy module.

 

Those who completed the training comprised 43 farmer-members of various cooperatives in Nueva Ecija, which is the PCC’s National Impact Zone for carabao dairying. Of the trainees, 21 were from the Eastern Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (EPMPC), nine from Bagong Pag-asa sa Bagong Talavera (BPPT), two from Licaong Dairy Producer Cooperative (LDPC), three from Agpapa Irrigators Credit Cooperative (AICC), six were from Nag-iisang Masikap (NMMPC), and one each from Bubalus Bubalis Dairy Farmers Association (BBDFA) and New Mabuhay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NMMPC).

 

Based on the selection process of the DHI-EDP, the farmer-trustees qualified for the requirements or criteria for eligibility. Each of them, including their respective cooperatives, passed through the different stages of project implementation, such as orientation, background investigation and ocular inspection, social preparation training, technical training on basic buffalo management, final evaluation and field validation.

 

The trainees were given insights on the PCC’s Carabao Development Program, awareness on the factors affecting the performance of dairy enterprise and the importance of knowing one’s self, community, cooperative and the Filipino values in relation to project implementation.

 

“The trainees were made aware of the social and technical aspects of the dairy module project. They were also apprised of inadequacies observed in transferring animals to other farmer-trustees,” Marilou Santos, project development officer of PCC, said.

 

She also noted that some farmer-trustees, instead of surrendering the animals to the agency, were transferring the animals to other farmers who did not undergo proper training and thus were non-compliant with the requirements of the project.

 

“The training corrected this practice as prospective farmer-trustee must first undergo the required training,” she stressed.

 

Santos, organizer of the training, added that social preparation is one of the basic trainings that a farmer-trustee and his cooperative must undergo to be able to meet the selection criteria of the dairy module.

 

She also said that there are a number of buffaloes available for entrustment to the participants as long as they meet all the requirements for the project.

 

“Itong training na ito ay inasahan naming makatutulong sa ating mga magsasaka-katiwala para malaman at maging pamilyar sa mga dapat at hindi dapat gawin sa proyektong gatasang kalabaw ng PCC. Sa training na ito, nalaman din namin ang iba’t-ibang kapakinabangang kayang ibigay ng kalabaw (This training was expected to help the prospective farmer-trustee to know and be familiar with the do’s and don’ts in the dairy module project of PCC. It also makes us become aware of the advantages that a dairy buffalo can provide to us),” Zoren Moralla, one of the participants from Nag-iisang Masikap MPC, said.

 

The two-day training involved lectures, discussions, workshop, experiential learning, brainstorming and group dynamics.

 

 

 

 

Rowena Galang Bumanlag, head of the Philippine Carabao Center’s Applied Communication Section, recently placed first in the “2013 PCAARRD’s Professional Media Award (Print Category).

 

 

The competition is part of the yearly search conducted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

 

 

The winners were honored during an awarding ceremony held November 8 at Sofitel Hotel, Pasay City.

 

 

Bumanlag received a trophy and cash prize from Dr. Patricio Faylon, PCAARRD executive director, and Danilo Cardenas, deputy executive director.

 

 

The Professional Media Award is given by PCAARRD as a “salute to the hardworking media practitioners who excelled and created significant impact in science and technology (S&T) promotion, commercialization, and adoption”. It is subdivided into two categories: print and broadcast. Under the print category, awards are given for articles published in national, regional, and local dailies as well as magazine and professional newsletters. Broadcast awards are given for programs aired over the radio.

 

 

Bumanlag was adjudged winner based on her significant contributions as a media practitioner in technology diffusion, including her ability as a writer to explore creative possibilities of presenting a single commodity in easy-to-read articles that arouse readers’ interest.

 

 

She developed her expertise as an agricultural writer in work experiences in different government agencies in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. She joined the PCC in 2009.

 

 

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Development Communication from the Central Luzon State University in 2003 and is currently pursuing her masters degree in communication at the Ateneo de Manila University.

 

 

Winners in four other categories, namely, best R&D paper, “Pantas” (for outstanding scientists/researchers and research administrators), “Tanglaw” (for outstanding research institutions), and “Ugnay” (for the best R&D Consortium and Elvira Tan Memorial Award for Outstanding Fisheries Publication) were also cited during the awarding ceremony.

 

 

This year’s search revolved around the theme: “PCAARRD: Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad ng Industriya ng Sakahan at Pangisdaan.”

 

Dr. Libertado C. Cruz, executive director  of the  Philippine Carabao Center (PCC),  was cited as the 2013 lecture-honoree  during the 50^th scientific seminar and annual convention of the Philippine Society of Animal Scientists (PSAS) held on October 22-25 in Tagaytay City, Cavite.

 

 

His significant contributions to the Philippine animal industry, including his advocacy on the use of biotechnology in veterinary and animal science as well as his more than two decades of heading the PCC, made him a unanimous choice for the honors, PSAS stated. Four other PCC staff were also cited during the gathering, which coincided with the golden anniversary of PSAS.

 

 

Dr. Eufrocina Atabay, head of PCC’s Reproductive Biotechnology Unit of PCC, was bestowed the PSAS  Bounty Agro-Venture, Inc. Distinguished Researcher in Veterinary Science Award in recognition of “her outstanding and original studies that led to the creation of innovative technologies in the field of veterinary and animal science.”

 

 

Meanwhile, Jose Canaria, senior science research specialist stationed at PCC at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB), was hailed as PSAS-Equalivet, Inc. Outstanding Professional in  Veterinary/Animal Science Extension. As an extensionist, Canaria helped organize and assist various farmers’ organizations. He also conducted numerous trainings, workshops and seminars for the benefit of farmers.

 

 

Dr. Prudencio Pedro of PCC’s Repro-Biotech Unit and Catherine Dabalos of PCC at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) were bestowed the “Best Paper” award for their respective researches.

 

 

Pedro’s paper titled “Buffalo and Bovine Embryo Development from In-Vitro Matured Oocytes derived  from Slaughterhouse through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Technique” was adjudged best paper under the biotechnology category. His paper merited him the same award during the PCC’s annual in house review held in May.

 

 

Dabalos’ study titled “Reducing Calf Morbidity and Mortality through Improved Housing Management and Early Introduction of Concentrates and Forage Grasses” shared the stellar award as the best paper in the applied research category.

 

 

Held annually, this year’s PSAS scientific gathering included a series of lectures and scientific seminars featuring topics that focused on developments in animal and veterinary science. It also highlighted the presentation of honors and citations to the organization’s deserving members in recognition of their outstanding contributions whether in the academe, research and extension, and in the animal industry as a whole.

 

Center Director Benjamin John C. Basilio of the Philippine Carabao Center at the University of Southern Mindanao (PCC-USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato was honored as an “Outstanding Alumnus” in the field of administration during the 61st USM Foundation Anniversary held October 1.

 

Basilio earned his BS and MS degrees at USM in 1983 and 1994, respectively.

 

He was recognized for his unrelenting efforts as PCC-USM center director aimed at improving the breed of the Philippine Carabao and serving as a catalyst in carrying out his administrative functions to the satisfaction of his constituents and for leading the center in meeting its goals as part of the PCC network of regional centers.

 

“His extensive collaboration with line agencies to speed up the implementation of the basic services for artificial insemination, bull loan program, technical assistance, trainings, carabao-based enterprise development, and coordination with LGUs, NGOs and farmer-cooperatives to expedite carabao development in Regions 11, 12 and ARMM has brought honors to his alma mater”, the citation stated.

 

In an interview, Basilio said that he dedicates the award to the whole PCC family. At the same time, he expressed gratitude for the support given him in pursuing the advocacy of promoting carabao development in the context of overall efforts aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of small-hold farming families.

 

Atty. Christoper B. Cabelin, USM OIC-president, and Rep. Nancy A. Catamco of the 2nd congressional district of North Cotabato led the awarding ceremony held at the university’s Pres. Asinas Amphitheater.

 

Farmer-trustees in the National Impact Zone (NIZ) of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) underwent a three-day bull management training on September 26-28 at the PCC National Bull Farm in Barangay Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.

 

The training was organized under PCC’s Dairy Herd Improvement and Enterprise Development Program (DHI-EDP) and conducted by technical staff of PCC at Central Luzon State University (PCC-CLSU).

 

The participants are dairy farmer-members of Guiset Organic Farmers Credit Cooperative, Bagong Pag-asa ng Magsasaka Multi-Purpose Coop, Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Producers Coop, Brotherskeeper MPC, Sunbeam MPC, Ayos Lomboy Dairy Coop, Pulong Buli Primary MPC, San Rafael Dairy Producers Coop, Catalanacan Primary MPC, Agpapa Irrigators Association, Samahan Sta. Monica para sa Likas Kayang Pag-unlad, San Manuel Dairy Association, and Bibiclat Dairy Producers Coop.

 

The training was conducted based on the results obtained from the assessment and planning conducted by the DHIP team. Among others, it was found out that some NIZ cooperative- members who were beneficiaries of the bull deployment program were urgently in need of upgraded skills in reproductive management of the animal entrusted to them in order to attain the goal of healthy calves’ production.

 

Thus, the training sought to instill heightened awareness about good bull management among the participants to help address concerns in the reproductive aspect of the animals in consonance with the genetic improvement program of PCC.

 

“This training was actually a preparation so that when they received their loaned bulls, they already know the proper handling and management for their bulls to be more productive,” Reyner Tomas, PCC science research assistant and NIZ bull loan coordinator, said.

 

He added that the participants who requested for the bulls are those in areas not reached by AI services.

 

The PCC-CLSU experts who served as resource persons during the training included Dr. Edwin Atabay, center director of PCC-CLSU; Dr. Fe Venturina, artificial insemination (AI) and bull loan coordinator; Hernando Venturina, national bull farm head; Nomer Garcia, forage and pasture production and management unit head; Perla Florendo, animal nutrition head; Ruby Gabriel, assistant bull loan coordinator; and Christine Adriano, assistant training coordinator.

 

Discussions and orientation on group activities as well as evaluation and registration were facilitated by Jessie Elmar Malamug, training coordinator, and Phoebe Burnot, training quarter in-charge.

 

In his lecture, Atabay emphasized the importance of and the impact of the carabao development program (CDP) on the lives of farmers by upgrading native carabaos to the status of high milk producers.

 

“The CDP is a social program for the welfare of the rural farmers. It involves the utilization of AI and bull loan. In social transformation, we need farmers like you to implement the CDP through bull loan program,” he said.

 

Atabay added that the training envisioned to help the farmer-participants to know the basic practices on carabao production and be aware on the various signs that carabao exhibit during its estrus cycle. He also stressed that when a female buffalo fails to get pregnant after its three consecutive cycles through AI,  it should only then that the bull  be used for natural mating.

 

“We have to consider behavioral signs of estrus such as swelling of the vulva and reddening of the vaginal epithelium, mucous discharges of varying viscosity, restlessness and lack of appetite, frequent urination, bellowing, mounting other animals in the herd, and standing still when mounted by a bull or other female buffalo,”  the PCC at CLSU head said in his presentation.

 

Dr. Fe Venturina, on the other hand, provided tips on how to properly check the female carabao when it is in heat. She said that of all the signs of carabaos in heat, the most important is that they “stand still when mounted”.

 

She also said that in the bull loan program, bull handlers can ask for a fee from the farmers who own the carabaos serviced by the bull. The bull handlers likewise get an incentive for every calf drop from the bull-mated buffaloes if they are qualified under the applicable PCC requirements.

 

Aside from lecture-discussions, experiential learning was also utilized wherein the participants underwent hands-on sessions on bull-taming, handling and management of bulls during semen collection, hay and silage making, and care and management of bull breeding.

 

“Malaking tulong sa’kin itong training kasi ngayon may siyam akong kalabaw, malayo ang AI technicians sa’min kaya lumilipas ‘yong paglalandi na hindi agad naee-AI. Nag-bull loan ako para kung sakaling makitaan ko ng senyales ‘yong apat kong inahin ay may nakatugon na agad akong bulugan (The training helped me a lot as I currently have  nine buffaloes and our area is far from the AI technicians, thus the estrus passes without being inseminated. I loaned a bull so that when I see signs of estrus on my four breeders I have a bull on hand for mating),” Glenn Bert Alonzo, one of the participants from Brotherskeeper MPC, said.

They gathered trash of all sorts, mostly items made from plastic, wrappers and cups. They cut unkempt grasses and swept the ground. It was a bit tiring yet satisfying experience after seeing the results of their labor: a spic- and-span city.

 

This was the happy outcome of the participation of 31 staff members of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in the observance of the “World Clean-Up Day” last September 20 at the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

 

Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, issued Memorandum Circular No. 2013-92 enjoining the holding of a clean-up activity in cities and municipalities across the country “to lessen the retrograding effects of climate change.”

 

In response, Science City of Muñoz Mayor Nestor L. Alvarez issued a letter-appeal to the different agencies located within the City, barangay officials, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, non-government organizations (NGO’s) and non-government agencies (NGA’s) to participate in the city-wide clean-up drive.

 

Engr. June M. Mico, head of the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) office, who was designated lead person of the clean-up activity, assigned the participating entities to various barangays as their adopted villages for the activity.

 

The PCC was assigned to Barangay Licaong. Barangay officials and 4Ps beneficiaries joined them in the activity and enthusiastically went about their clean-up chores.

 

Started at seven in the morning, the activity was completed after three hours of continuous work in the agency’s assigned spot.

 

A total of 317 staff of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) have completed a training course designed to uplift the “pioneering spirit” of employees to improve their work performance.

 

Conducted in eight batches from January to September this year, the mind-setting training was organized by PCC’s human resource development unit (HRDU) through Conrado Penuliar, human resource development officer, “to equip employees with positive attitude and better perspective in life.”

 

The HRDU coordinated with the Canaan Farmers Training Foundation Center (CFTFC), Inc. for the conduct of the said activity, which also offered the participants with core subject matters to attain the training objective.”

 

Venues for the training course were in different places. The PCC staff based in Luzon attended the training in Brgy. Gutad, Floridablanca, Pampanga, where the CFTFC headquarters and the training center are located. Those from Visayas and Mindanao attended the trainings in Panglao, Bohol and Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Bukidnon, respectively.

 

CFTFC president Kwan Soo Lee and CFTFC assistant director Neribeth Ignacio served as main resource persons. Their lectures and subsequent discussions focused on the Canaan pioneering history and spirit, strategies, living constitution, basic economy, community development and life towards Canaan.

 

Aside from group discussions and practical exercises, actual field work in a farm setting was undertaken. Sharing of experiences was also included in the training course. All told, the training essence was to let participants experience “real ways of living”, particularly to promote spirit of cooperation “to experience life and transformation”.

 

“If anyone has no transformation of mind, he cannot change his behavior, because behavior is controlled by the mind. If transformed, he can see himself better and is able to correct his old or unproductive mindset. Thus, he can see the world from a better perspective and be able to do things to help change the world,” Lee stressed in his opening messages for all the training batches. “Significant transformation requires discipline, training, and practice,” he added.

 

In the aftermath of the training, Guillerma Abay-abay, agriculturist II, one of the participants from the Visayas region, was quoted as saying:  “After the training, ang laki ng impact niya sa amin at sa buhay ko. Ngayon we implemented a physical fitness hour o bayanihan every week to apply the spirit of cooperativism sa aming office. Naging aware na din kami sa oras kaya nagkaroon na kami ng time management na dapat we have to work at least four hours bago kumain at nagkaroon na din ako ng time sa family ko. Hindi na puro work lang… (The training created a big impact on us and in my personal life. Now, we implement a physical fitness hour every week to apply the spirit of cooperativism in our office. We also became time-conscious and learned about time management wherein we have to work at least four hours before we eat. Now, I also have quality time for my family. It’s not only work that matters).”

 

For his part, Mario Delizo, field technician based in the Nueva Ecija area, declared: “Tumaas lalo ang self-idealism ko. Nagkaroon ako ng pag-asa kasi dati parang nilimit ko na ang sarili ko sa ginagawa ko noon. Ngayon, nakakita ako ng hope to improve further my services lalo na kaming mga project-based employees (My self-idealism was uplifted, I became hopeful unlike before when I limited myself to the tasks at hand. I saw hope in improving further my services as a project-based personnel.”

 

On the other hand, according to Dennis Cotillas of the dairy processing unit of PCC at USF in Ubay, Bohol, he has learned not to waste food anymore, and that “I need to be physically fit for my work and for the service I give to the people.”