After 18 years of waiting, the Philippine Carabao Center at La Carlota Stock Farm (PCC-LCSF) finally gets its “dream home”.
PCC-LCSF’s center director Ariel L. Abaquita and his employees happily led in the inauguration and blessing of their new office building in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental last October 25.
Rev. Amsil Alubog blessed the building.
Abaquita thanked PCC executive director Dr. Libertado C. Cruz for the realization of the facility.
The event was graced with the attendance of Dr. Placida E. Lemana, representing governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr.; Dr. Joyce Wendam, regional technical director, Policy, Planning, Research and Development of the Department of Agriculture and Food in Iloilo City; Hon. Luis Jalandoni III, representing mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer of La Carlota City; Loreto N. Cauntoy, representing mayor Ramon D. Torres of Bago City; Dr. Elizer Dela Cruz, city veterinarian of Bago City; Nanette Escarsa, barangay captain of La Granja; and Carmelita Centenna and council members of La Granja.
Also in attendance were the La Granja agency heads such as Milagros Abaquita, agricultural center chief IV, BPI-LGNCRDC; Crecensia Morales, chief, science research specialist, SRA-LGAREC; Ermelando Meniel, agricultural center chief III, DA-RIARC, Analee Bartolo of La Granja Elementary School; and Eunice Gumasing of La Granja National High School.
Officials from the PCC National Headquarters also attended the event. They were Dr. Annabelle S. Sarabia, Chief, Operations Group; Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, Chief, Knowledge Resource and Management Division; the center directors from other regions namely Dr. Edwin Atabay, PCC-CLSU with wife Dr. Eufrocina Atabay who is the head of theReproductive Biotechnology Unit; Prof. Grace Marjorie Recta, PCC-MMSU; Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, PCC-UPLB; Dr. Caro B. Salces, PCC-USF; Dr. Myrtel Alcazar, representing PCC-WVSU; and Francisco Gabunada, PCC-VSU. Partners of PCC-LCSF in implementing the artificial insemination (AI) program and several AI technicians from different LGU partners were also present.
Guests in the inauguration planted fruit trees in vacant lot at the side and back of the PCC office as a remembrance of their presence. They called the trees “Fruit trees to remember”. These fruit trees are hoped to bear fruits in three to five years from now.
Abaquita said their efforts paid off and that they are now more inspired in realizing their common pursuit of making an impact in the lives of carabao farmers not only in La Carlota but in the whole province of Negros Occidental.
