A once sinking cooperative has transformed into a thriving one; a once homeless family has now built one of their own; and a young man who once dreamed of owning a business is now successfully managing his own enterprise.

These are just a few of the many success stories that highlight the DA-Philippine Carabao Center’s (DA-PCC) unwavering commitment to boosting the incomes and improving the overall living standards of smallholder farm families.

At 32 years, DA-PCC employees, proudly known as PCCeans, celebrate the agency’s excellence and innovation—a testament to how each PCCean embodies the core values of Excellence, Professionalism, Integrity and Innovativeness, Commitment, and Socio-Ecological Responsibility (EPICS).

With the theme, “Excellence in Unity: Propelling the Future through Innovation,” DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the agency’s continued commitment to advancing agricultural innovation.

“These initiatives reflect our persistent endeavors to achieve sustainable agricultural development, aligning with the ‘Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas’ campaign and showcasing the vital role of agriculture in nation-building and enhancing the quality of life for our people,” Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

On March 27, 1992, former President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act 7307, titled “An Act Creating the Philippine Carabao Center to Propagate and Promote the Philippine Carabao and for Other Purposes,” also known as the Philippine Carabao Act.

On July 30, 1998, former President Joseph E. Estrada launched the second phase of the Carabao Development Program (CDP), focusing on institutionalized upgrading and carabao-based enterprise development.

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, the senate president pro tempore and who also served as the keynote speaker during the anniversary celebration, reflected on this legacy of his father.

“Today, we celebrate an institution and honor the impact of a vital law that has significantly improved the overall productivity of the Philippine carabao for the benefit of rural communities,” said Senator Estrada.

As a tribute to his father’s legacy, Senator Estrada co-authored Senate Bill 2558, the proposed “Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industry Development and Competitiveness Act” which aims to support the expansion and improve the productivity of the country’s livestock, poultry, and dairy industry—empowering the Filipino farmers that the agency serves and driving the growth of agricultural economy.

After a weeklong celebration, the agency recommits to spearhead more groundbreaking innovations. During the celebration, the agency launched the Carabao Industry 2040 Foresight—the long-term vision for the Philippine carabao industry by 2040, the AgriNegosyo Credit Facility for Carabao and Dairy Farmers (ANYO) Program, a compendium of the innovative solutions for sustainable livestock production, and the new PCC website.

“Malayo na ang narating natin! Pagkatapos ng selebrasyong ito, tayo ay babalik sa ating kanya-kanyang tungkulin. Dalangin ko na sana patuloy nating paalabin ang ating pagmamahal sa ating serbisyo upang maipahatid natin ang #TatakSerbisyongPCC sa mga kanayunan at sa mga magsasakang umaasa sa atin,” inspired DA-PCC Executive Director III Dr. Liza G. Battad.