PCC 23rd anniversary celebration underscores F2F

The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) celebrated its 23rd founding anniversary last March 29-31 at the PCC headquarters in the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija. This year’s theme was: “F2F: Boosting Employees’ Potential Toward Productivity”.

In a video presentation showcased during the program to give the audience an appreciation of the theme, F2F or face-to-face was derived as “a synergistic approach to outline and achieve performance targets through interfacing, collaborating or partnering between and among operating units and regional centers across the PCC network with other carabao development program partners”.

“We are beyond the age of puberty which means we are now adults. This indicates that we should strengthen more our partnerships toward fruitful outcomes,” Dr. Arnel N. Del Barrio, PCC acting executive director said.

PCC employees across the PCC network nationwide, officials from Central Luzon State University, and Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology, social entrepreneurs and interns from Gawad Kalinga (GK) Enchanted Farm, and some press people from media outfits in the province graced the occasion. 

Antonio “Tony” Meloto, founder of GK, served as the guest of honor. In an inspiring and motivational speech, he encouraged everyone in the audience to relate well with one another to boost each other’s potentials. He said if this is done collectively, it will greatly contribute to the organization’s better performance. He said GK is willing to sustain partnership with PCC in pushing forward social entrepreneurship in the countryside thru the production and marketing of carabao’s milk. Through this, the vision of living the Filipino dream in our homeland is never a remote possibility.

Minda R. Diloy, this year’s anniversary chairperson, motivated PCC employees in the same manner saying that:

“More focus should be placed on making each and everyone feel that work is more than just a job but a kind of work that has higher purpose, achieved thru sincere and meaningful face-to-face interactions such as those relationships we build with our partners,” she said.

As a result of meaningful F2F interaction, PCC’s outstanding employees who have excelled in the performance of their respective duties were recognized during the anniversary program. 

Dr. Caro B. Salces of PCC at Ubay Stock Farm was recognized as outstanding center director; Dr. Ester B. Flores, national genetic improvement program coordinator, as outstanding supervisor; Mario M. Delizo, Project Development Officer II, as outstanding development officer; Excel Rio S. Maylem, Science Research Specialist II, as outstanding researcher; and Rogel dela Cuesta, Administrative Officer V, as outstanding support staff.

Each awardee received a cash prize of Php30,000, plaque of recognition, and a study tour grant abroad related to their respective fields of discipline.

The search for laudable employees was spearheaded by Dr. Liza G. Battad, chair of the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) committee and chief of Planning and Special Projects Division. 

Other highlights of the three-day anniversary celebration included thanksgiving mass by Rev. Fr. Tito Y. Maratas Jr. as the celebrant, PCC-PSAS lecture series and animal medical mission, seminar on “Enriching Employee Engagement toward Enhanced Productivity” discussed by Success Coach Randy Esguerra, Employees’ General Assembly, and recognition of PCC retirees.

The PCC was established on March 27, 1992 when then Pres. Corazon Aquino signed into law Republic Act 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.