20/03/2026
DA-PCC embraces expanded mandate on 33rd anniversary
2026 marks a significant shift in DA-PCC's role through the enactment of Republic Act No. 12308, also known as the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act (AIDCA), as the agency observes its 33rd founding anniversary since its operation in 1993.
This year’s theme, "Leading PCC V2.0: New Scope. Greater Impact." highlights the agency’s expanded work in research and development for livestock, dairy, and poultry.
At the same time, it continues its original mandate under Republic Act No. 7307 (Philippine Carabao Act of 1992), which is “to conserve, propagate, and promote the carabao as a source of milk, meat, draft power, and hide to benefit the rural farmers.”
The two-day anniversary celebration will take place on March 24-25, 2026, at the DA-PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Activities include: Flores de Marso, which honors flowers and March’s religious festivities; recognition of outstanding employees and retirees; employee engagement session; a fun run; and the enchanted-themed Karwanan or employees' night.
The DA-PCC began as a research center in "Strengthening of the Philippine Carabao Research and Development Center (PCRDC)," a project supported by UNDP and FAO under the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD) from 1982 to 1992.
On March 27, 1992, former President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act No. 7307, also known as the Philippine Carabao Act, formally creating the DA-PCC as an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.
The agency started in 1993 with a small central office in Quezon City and six regional centers. By 1994, seven more centers were added, helping the agency reach more areas across the country. In 1998, former President Joseph Estrada launched the second phase of the Carabao Development Program, shifting focus toward institutionalized upgrading and carabao-based enterprise development. That year, the national headquarters and gene pool moved from Manila to the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, which became the national impact zone for dairy buffalo enterprise.
Over the following years, the agency continued to grow in scope and impact. Under DA Administrative Order No. 9, Series of 2008, DA-PCC became the national lead agency for livestock biotechnology research and development within the Department of Agriculture. This role was strengthened with the opening of the DA-Livestock Biotechnology Center on August 6, 2014, and the designation of DA-PCC’s cryobank facility as the National Livestock Cryobank in 2021, which stores germplasm and biological samples from various livestock species.
DA-PCC also continues to support farmers and stakeholders involved in the carabao industry value chain with its three main programs—genetic improvement, carabao-based enterprise development, and research and development.
Today, DA-PCC is now the National Institute for Animal Sciences under the AIDCA which expands the agency's mandate beyond carabaos to include research and development for other animal species, vaccine and biologics research, and broader animal industry support.
Backed by a PHP200-billion fund from tariff collections over 10 years, the law creates the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF), of which DA-PCC receives 3.5% for herd buildup development of genetically improved dairy cattle, and carabao repopulation. The agency's 12 regional centers will be converted into R&D stations, with two new stations to be hosted by Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in Camarines Sur and Caraga State University (CARSU) in Butuan City. [By: France Joseph O. Pascual]
