CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) will fete today former Pres. Joseph Ejercito Estrada and six others for making the center “a leader in livestock biotechnology research and development.”
“Erap (Pres. Estrada) is considered the father of PCC as he was the principal Senate author of Republic Act 7307 otherwise known as the Philippine Carabao Act of 1992 that established us” said PCC Information Officer Rowena Galang-Bumanlag.
PCC is commemorating its 20th anniversary today.
Bumanlag said “the law paved the way for a comprehensive carabao development program that focused on the conservation of the water buffalo’s genetic biodiversity for long-term and sustainable advancement and an organized genetic improvement system.”
“It also maximized the genetic gains through crossbreeding of riverine buffaloes with the indigenous swamp buffaloes to optimize performance for milk and meat without disregard for draft for medium-term requirements,” she added.
In 1998 when he was still president, Estrada launched the second phase of PCC’s development program which centered on institutionalized upgrading and carabao-based enterprise development, Bumanlag also said.
Other honorees include former Senator Leticia Shahani, former Agriculture Assistant Secretary Lino Nazareno, Dr. Fortunato Battad, Dr. Patricio Faylon, Dr. Vicente Momongan, and Dr. Surendra Ranjhan.
The PCC is located in the Science City of Munoz in Nueva Ecija.
