Dr. Ruth Miclat-Sonaco Center Director of the Agricultural Training Institute-International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH) together with Dr. Arnel N. Del Barrio, Executive Director of the Philippine Carabao Center in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija and other personalities in the livestock industry graced the 5th National Carabao Conference held at Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon on November 14-15, 2019.
Dr. Sonaco was invited as Reactor during the Plenary Session 4: Strengthening the Provincial Livestock Extension System on November 15, 2019. The presentors during the Session were Dr. Stella Marie D. Lapiz Provincial Veterinarian, Bohol who presented their program, Barangay Animal Livestock Aid (BALA). The second presentor was Mr. Francisco Alex Dani R. Pasion of Marcos, Ilocos Norte. Mr. Pasion was awarded Outstanding Village-based AI Technician (VBAIT). He presented the topic: Privatizing Artificial Insemination (AI) Service Provision. The last presentor was Dr. Eric P. Palacpac Chief, PCC NHQGP Knowledge Management Division who presented the Farmer Livestock School on Dairy Buffalo Production (FLS-DBP) and School on the Air (SOA) as Platforms for Increased Technology Adoption. The Panelist for the session was Dr. Nancy V. Diez, Provincial Veterinarian, Province of Bukidnon while the moderator was Ms. Susan B. Bautista Radio Anchor, DXMU-FM.
In her synthesis, Doc Ruth congratulated the three presentors for their initiatives in delivering extension using various modalities. She reiterated the importance of extension in bringing the best technologies and services to the farmers. She further said that the Livestock sector is fortunate since various extension modalities are already in place and the relationship between extension and research are well established. As a result of the discussion, a School-on-the-Air on Dairy Buffalo production will be conducted in 2020 by ATI-RTC X in coordination with the Philippine Carabao Center.
Also present during the activity is ATI X’s OIC Center Director, Ms. Maria Lydia A. Echavez; OIC Assistant Center Director and Livestock Focal Person, Noemi Beth G. Macario and Asst. Livestock Focal Person, Aleli Jean Paulican. Ms. Nida Abellanosa, an ATI-accredited Learning Site was also one of the Resource Person under Plenary Session 3 on the Scaling-Up of the Carabao Enterprise Value Chain. The Abellanosa Farm is a recipient of two dairy carabaos from ATI-National Livestock Program.