For the first time, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) broadens reach in its R4D In-House Review through a combination of physical and online presentations that were broadcasted via a web conferencing platform. It was held last December 3-4 at the DA-PCC National Headquarters and was joined in virtually by participants all over the Philippines.

“The In-House Review sums up the activities of the DA-PCC Research and Development Division (RDD) for the whole year,” underscored by DA-PCC RDD OIC-Head Dr. Eufrocina Atabay in her message.

A total of 15 papers were evaluated by Dr. Annabelle Sarabia, Former DA-PCC RDD chief; Dr. Ericson Dela Cruz, DA-PCC OIC-Chief of Planning and Information Management Division; and Dr. Virginia Venturina, Dean of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) College of Veterinary Science and Medicine.

The papers were categorized under four thematic areas namely Genetic Improvement-Animal Genomics or Genetic Diversity and Cryopreservation, Biosafety Production Systems and Nutrition, and Socio-Economic Dimensions of Carabao Development Program Implementation.

“Most number of papers presented” award was bagged by the DA-PCC at University of the Philippines-Los Baños and DA-PCC at Visayas State University.

The “Comparison of Progeny Testing and Genomic Selection Breeding Schemes in Dairy Buffalo” by Dr. Jesus Rommel Herrera, Dr. Ester Flores, and Dr. Julius van der Werf was hailed the “Best Paper” (average score of 92.67%). Dr. Herrera who presented the said paper also won as the “Best Presenter” (average score of 93.67%).

Criteria for judging for the “Best Paper” include Title and Abstract (10%), Introduction (10%), Materials and Methods (25%), Results and Discussion (40%), and Summary and Conclusion (15%). While the “Best Presenter” was chosen based on Clear and Logical Presentation (25%), Comprehensive Knowledge on Subject Matter (30%), Answers to Questions (25%), and Clear and Relevant Visual Aids (20%).

Meanwhile, winners of DA-PCC Technology Pitch Day last November were once again recognized. The presenters on the agency’s research and innovations webinar series namely Dr. Claro Mingala, DA-PCC OIC-Executive Director; Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, former DA-PCC Executive Director; Ms. Mina Abella, RDD CEDS Head; Dr. Annabelle Sarabia, former RDD head, Dr. Edwin Atabay, Scientist I, and Dr. Daniel Aquino, Former DA-PCC at CLSU center director, were also recognized.

Dr. Aquino was recognized for his study on the “Development of Feeding Protocols and Practices to Support the Nutritional Requirements of Dairy Buffaloes”, which won “Best paper” award last August in an event facilitated by the CLSU.

Dr. Emerson Tapdasan of DA-PCC at Ubay Stock Farm was also recognized for his paper entitled “Prevalence and Risk Factors of Trypanosoma evansi infection in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of Ubay, Bohol”, which bagged the award in the Agriculture and Fisheries Cluster during the Regional Research and Development Symposium of Central Visayas, Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources R&D Consortium held last October.

Other highlights of the event were the talks given by Dr. Diana Ignacio, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources, Management Services and Special Concerns, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Dr. Lily Ann Lando, motivational coach/Training and Facilitator CORE Consulting and Development. The topics are on Guidelines in Certification of Eligibility of Non-DOST and S&T Personnel under RA 8439 as amended by RA 11312” and “Innovator Mindset: Changing mindsets from researchers to innovators”, respectively.

Also in the event were DA-PCC OIC-Executive Director Dr. Mingala, DA-PCC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Caro Salces, and other DA-PCC RDD staff.