The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) joined national livestock agencies in presenting key initiatives and recovery efforts during a press conference held on May 14, 2025, ahead of the Livestock and Aquaculture Philippines 2025 trade event. Representing the DA-PCC was Dr. Eric Palacpac, OIC Chief of the Research and Development Division, who reaffirmed the agency’s expanding role in addressing national livestock challenges.

The press briefing, led by Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. Constante Palabrica and organized in partnership with Informa Markets, emphasized technology, innovation, and public-private collaboration as critical to revitalizing the country’s livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries. This year’s trade event, scheduled from June 25 to 27 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, will revolve around the theme: “Empowering Agri-Fisheries Through Modern Technology and Innovation.”

Dr. Palabrica presented DA’s strategic recovery programs, including efforts to repopulate swine herds affected by African Swine Fever (ASF), implement safety protocols for vaccines, and build sustainable pork supply chains. He also highlighted the essential role of livestock agencies such as the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), and DA-PCC, along with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as DA’s national extension arm.

In his remarks, Dr. Palacpac emphasized that despite DA-PCC’s core mandate of developing the carabao industry, the agency is also involved in addressing broader livestock industry challenges, including the ASF crisis. He mentioned that DA-PCC experts will help in the development of the vaccine, noting that the carabaos were not spared during the ASF crisis, as many were slaughtered to cushion the meat demand during pork shortages.

Despite such setbacks, DA-PCC continues to uphold best practices in animal husbandry, welfare, and food safety. Dr. Palacpac emphasized DA-PCC’s over 30-year legacy in dairy development supporting the NDA, particularly through the genetic improvement of buffaloes used in artificial insemination programs nationwide. He was joined at the press briefing by DA-PCC Technical Consultant Dr. Daniel Aquino and Senior Science Research Specialist Patrizia Saturno.

Events like Livestock Philippines, Dr. Palacpac noted, are important platforms in fostering public-private partnerships and uniting farmers, researchers, and government agencies to elevate the livestock sector.

During the press conference, Usec. Palabrica, who recently visited DA-PCC’s facilities in Nueva Ecija, lauded the agency’s advanced research infrastructure and the economic potential of carabao-based livelihoods.

“A farmer with three or four carabaos can earn up to PHP30,000 a month. This is a gold mine,” he said, noting rising market interest in carabao’s milk and its derivative products. “PCC [national headquarters] Nueva Ecija has one of the most modern facilities in the country. You have to go there and drink carabao’s milk!” he added.

The upcoming Livestock Philippines event will feature around 30 technical seminars addressing global and local industry issues, such as climate change adaptation, antimicrobial resistance under the One Health approach, and food security.

To further promote the local dairy industry, the NDA will lead a World Milk Day celebration on May 30 at Quezon City Hall, featuring locally produced milk, yogurt, cheese, and other products made from cow, goat, and carabao milk.