Month: March 2018

One of the sessions scheduled during the monthlong PCC 25th anniversary celebration was the Pre-In-House Review conducted last March 21 and 22.

The review focused on the evaluation of the on-going and completed research activities as to their merits, limitations and opportunities for improvement. It also served as venue for sharing PCC’s research results to the scientific community.

Five thematic areas categorized the papers that were presented during the pre-in-house review: socio-economic dimensions of carabao development program implementation, genetic improvement (animal genomics/genetic diversity and cryopreservation/reproductive and cryopreservation technique), product development, biosafety, and production management system. Eight of these researches were completed and 32 are in progress.

Based on the results of the internal evaluation, select papers will be presented again during the R4D in-house review in June or July this year.

Presenters were from the PCC National Headquarters, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), PCC at Ubay Stock Farm (USF), PCC at Central Mindanao University, and PCC at University of Southern Mindanao (USM).

“Developing Intellectual Property Policy is important to nurture the potential of PCC’s researches for licensing and technology dissemination.”

This was emphasized by Dr. Annabelle S. Sarabia, Chief of Research and Development Division during a two-day seminar-workshop on IP Management last March 19-20 at the PCC headquarters in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

As an output of the seminar, a draft of the PCC-IP Management Policy was presented for further improvement and eventual approval and application.

This program aimed to enhance the capacity of PCC researchers on IP rights management and increase their level of appreciation on the importance of integrating IP in the R&D process and PCC management system.

On the first day of training, the participants were taught about the overview of the policy environment on IP, Philippine Technology Transfer Act 2009 and the basic concepts on IP right. An open forum followed after presentation of each topic.

The second day discussed the transformation of technical papers into IP disclosures. The participants were also taught about the basic prior-art search and invention spotting and incorporating patent search results in IP disclosures. Afterwards, they were oriented about the claim on drafting, finalizing the patent application and processes involved in the transfer and commercialization of science and technology innovations in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

Attorney Jerry Serapion, International Technical Support Organization Manager of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Mr. Noel A. Catibog, Innovation and Technology Center Manager of DOST-PCAARRD served as resource speakers for the seminar-workshop, which was attended by 103 participants from PCC.

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.

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.

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.