Milestones

1994

In January, PCC operationalized seven new regional centers at the following host institutions: Mariano Marcos State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, West Visayas State University, Visayas State College of Agriculture (now Leyte State University), Mindanao Livestock Production Center, Mindanao State University, and University of Southern Mindanao, making a network of 13 centers.

In May, PCC transferred to PCC at USF 220 American Murrah Buffaloes (150 female and 70 male), bought from Arkansas, USA by the Department of Agriculture. The animals were quarantined at the Busuanga Breeding station in Palawan.

Ubay Stock Farm since then became the gene pool for the riverine buffaloes intended for genetic improvement for meat.

1995

In February, PCC started the construction of its gene pool facilities and headquarters in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija in a 40-hectare land donated by Central Luzon State University.

On April 28, 459 head of Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes (51 male and 408 female), with ages ranging from 8-18 months, arrived at Subic Bay port and quarantined at PCC at CLSU.

These animals became the core herd for the elite animals at the national gene pool for riverine buffaloes for milk.

1996

In January, the second batch of Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes totaling 403 head (49 male and 354 female) arrived at Cagayan de Oro City and were quarantined at PCC at CMU.

In October, the “test-tube” calves from in vitro fertilized/ in vitro matured embryos were born in Nueva Ecija as part of the efforts of the PCC research team.

In October, PCC-DA hosted the Asian Buffalo Congress and became a member of the International Buffalo Federation.

1997

On July 17, the first 25-Cow Dairy Buffalo Module was released in Tulong, Urdaneta, Pangasinan to launch the Carabao-based Dairy Enterprise Development Program.

Linkages with concerned local government units and non-government organizations were intensified with the objective of initiating community organization leading to buffalo-based cooperatives.

1998

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.

1999

In June, PCC became a member of the Science Community of Muñoz after the Office of the Executive Director moved from Manila to the newly completed national gene pool and headquarters.

The province of Nueva Ecija was chosen as the National Impact Zone (NIZ) for Dairy Buffalo Enterprises.

To demonstrate the enterprise component of the CDP, 13 Regional Impact Zones were also initiated.

2000

On March 16, President Joseph E. Estrada graced the groundbreaking ceremony of PCC’s research and training facilities.

Consolidation of highly technical research staff was undertaken with the completion of their graduate programs from local and foreign universities. Thus, on June 15 and 16, PCC hosted the International Training Course on Reproductive Biotechniques in Cattle and Water Buffaloes.

On July 12, the government of the Philippines and Japan signed the Water Buffalo and Beef Cattle Improvement Project (WBBCIP), a project aimed to improve the productivity of both animal species.