In January, the third batch of Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes, comprising 487 head (50 male and 437 female), arrived at the port of Cagayan de Oro City.

On July 7, the fourth batch of 591 Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes (26 male and 565 female) was unloaded at Cagayan de Oro Port directly from Bulgaria after a month of sea voyage.

On July 30, President Joseph E. Estrada launched the second phase of the Carabao Development Program with focus on institutionalized upgrading and carabao-based enterprise development.