Ongoing initiatives on native pig and native chicken development in Zamboanga were recently evaluated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). The projects, which dealt with the development of the ZamPen native chicken and native pig, are being implemented by Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).

During the meeting, Dr. Synan S. Baguio, Director of the Livestock Research Division of DOST-PCAARRD highlighted the importance of science-driven solutions for livestock production, particularly on science-based breeding and selection. 

WMSU researchers presented the DOST-PCAARRD-funded projects focused on the establishment of breeding herds of ZamPen Native Pigs. Moreover, a DOST-funded program, “Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development (NICER): Native Chicken R&D Phase II,” showcased multiple studies that are important in the promotion of ZamPen Native Chicken production in the region. 

On the second day, participants field-visited the farms where the projects were being implemented and saw actual progress of the different projects. They observed the ZamPen native chicken flocks at the WMSU College of Agriculture and the ZamPen native pig foundation herd at San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF), a facility operated by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in Zamboanga City. The hands-on interaction provided valuable insights into the practical application of the research projects, as well as the challenges faced by the partner agencies.

The two-day monitoring and evaluation activity also served as an avenue for DOST-PCAARRD and its partner institutions to demonstrate their strong commitment to promoting sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.

Procurement in the Philippine government, with emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and accountability, will be enhanced through the New Government Procurement Act or Republic Act 12009, which was signed into law in 2024. As a way to cascade the new procurement modalities within the procurement act, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Procurement Office, conducted a training session from September 3 to 5, 2025. 

The training was organized by the Procurement Coordinating Unit of the Office of the Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management, and Support Services (OED-ARMSS) of DOST-PCAARRD. 

Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director, highlighted the significance of the training in facilitating the Council's transition from the previous procurement law (RA 9184) to the new legislation, RA 12009. He also highlighted the importance of this transition in ensuring that all procurement activities of the Council are effectively executed and are compliant with the legal provisions.

The training was facilitated by Atty. Flor “Rissa” L. Ofilada, Director of the UP Procurement Office, along with her team, Supervising Administrative Officer Jerry M. Jaena, Jr., Administrative Officer V Edbert P. Soliven, Administrative Officer IV Floradel U. Bariso, and  Procurement Officer IV Christine Joyce S. Castañeda. 

A total of 122 participants attended the three-day training session composed of the PCAARRD Bids and Awards Committee-Technical Working Group (BAC-TWG), BAC Secretariat, and end-users from various PCAARRD Divisions. Representatives from other DOST agencies including the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Countryside Development, DOST-FPRDI, and DOST Regional Offices II and CALABARZON also participated in the training.

Key topics of discussion included the transition from RA 9184 to RA 12009 and adapting to the new procurement landscape; strengthening procurement through proactive and strategic planning; drafting the Procurement Program and Monitoring Plan (PPMP): a step-by-step guide to an effective PPMP; crafting technical specifications; understanding the new award criteria: the Most Economically Advantageous & Responsive Bid (MEARB) and the Most Advantageous & Responsive Bid (MARB); modes of procurement; post-qualification and technical evaluation: effective bid evaluation; and the fundamentals of conducting Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) meetings.

The three-day training was characterized by a variety of engaging and interactive activities for the participants. The speakers provided real-life case studies to illustrate various procurement scenarios and best practices, thereby facilitating a better understanding and practical application of the concepts discussed in their procurement transactions. The hands-on approach ensured that all attendees left with a clearer understanding of the new regulations and the skills needed to implement them effectively.

As an ISO-certified organization, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) continues to reinforce its culture of quality and service excellence. This year, the Council conducted two key capability-building activities focused on enhancing its internal processes and customer service: the ISO 9001:2015 Awareness Seminar held on July 18, 2025 and the Training-Workshop on Customer Satisfaction Management conducted on September 2 and 4, 2025.

The ISO 9001:2015 Awareness Seminar, attended by 40 staff members, increased the participants’ appreciation and working knowledge of the requirements of an effective Quality Management System (QMS). Mr. Leandro Bautista, PCAARRD’s Continual Improvement Program (CIP) consultant and resource person, walked the participants through the clauses of the ISO 9001:2015 standards, including organizational context, leadership, support, operations, performance evaluation, and improvement. He emphasized the importance of the PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT (PDCA) cycle and its practical application to the Council’s systems and services, reinforcing the organization’s drive toward continuous improvement.

Meanwhile, the two-day Training-Workshop on Customer Satisfaction Management gathered 33 participants for an in-depth examination and familiarization of customer service principles that are vital to both organizational effectiveness and personal growth. Facilitated by Ms. Maria Avelet Albor-Bautista, also a PCAARRD CIP consultant, the sessions featured interactive exercises and real-life scenarios that highlighted the value of  mindful, responsive, and empathetic engagement, and service recovery strategies, underscoring the pivotal role of frontliners and support staff in creating positive customer experiences. Ms. Albor-Bautista also reminded the participants of PCAARRD’s core values of relevance, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, as the foundation of quality public service. 

In her closing remarks, Dr. Lilian G. Bondoc, PCAARRD’s Quality Management Representative and Director of the Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division, stressed the importance of these capacity-building initiatives in sustaining the Council’s ISO journey. These trainings affirm PCAARRD’s dedication to continuous improvement while ensuring that our services remain responsive, people-centered, and of the highest quality. 

Through these capacity-building efforts, DOST-PCAARRD strengthens its commitment not only to maintaining ISO 9001:2015 certification but also to embedding a culture of excellence in every facet of its operations, ensuring that stakeholders and the public continue to receive services that are efficient, reliable, and relevant.

With the aim to capacitate new and budding project leaders of the Grants-In-Aid initiatives, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) successfully concluded a mentoring-training on R&D Management along the Project Cycle last July 21 to 25, 2025. The event was held at DOST-PCAARRD’s WDD Hall in Los Baños, Laguna.

The event gathered 17 participants from different institutions across the country, including Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST), Visayas State University (VSU), Guimaras State University (GSU), Partido State University (ParSU), Mountain Province State University (MPSU), Benguet State University (BSU), Cavite State University (CvSU), UP Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP SSI), and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The five-day plenary activity was conducted through a hybrid set-up. Attributable to the flexible training structure, resource speakers were able to cultivate valuable mentor-mentee relationships through their interactions with the participants. The sessions were enriched by insightful guidance and practical mentoring tips, fostering a truly interactive learning environment.

To strengthen the skills of the project leaders within the PCAARRD network, the program adopted a targeted mentoring approach by engaging this year's Council of Elders (COELs), which consists of retired or senior-level experts from various disciplines. Their involvement directly addressed the knowledge and skills gaps identified through the pre-training Mentoring Needs Assessment (MNA), thus, created a focused and effective learning environment aimed at enhancing leadership capabilities and maximizing beneficial impacts.

The resource speakers included experts from UPLB: College of Development Communication Associate Professor Rosario Velasco-Tatlonghari, College of Public Affairs and Development Adjunct Professor Wilfredo B. Carada, and UPLB’s TechnologyTransfer and Business Development Office Director Emil John C. Cabrera. Dr. Milagros A. Rimando (former Director of National Economic and Development Authority- Cordillera Administrative Region), Dr. Thelma R. Paris (former Senior Scientist and Gender Specialist of the International Rice Research Institute), and DOST-PCAARRD’s Accounting head, Ms. Jaivee Ann M. Tabadero, joined as well the panel of mentors.

The training tackled topics on Project Life Cycle, Mentoring and Coaching, GIA R&D Management, Guide to Financial Aspect of GIA Projects/Programs, Intellectual Property Management, Technology Transfer and Commercialization, Gender Integration, Science Communication Interactive Lectures, and Project Management-related Skills. Participants were also immersed in interactive activities designed to maximize their learnings in collaboration, networking, and strategic thinking, among others.

One standout activity is the Speed Networking during the first day. Participants were paired   in rounds allowing  them to discover shared interests, identify similar leadership styles, and explore potential collaborations. Another key integration is the “Kwento” and “Kwenta” concepts, which provide a way for the participants to share their learning experiences.

SERD’s Gender and Development and Special Projects Unit Head Annette M. Tobias extended her gratitude among the attendees for participating in an activity close to what the Council values: collaboration, knowledge sharing, and empowering future leaders. Ms. Tobias further emphasized her trust to the next generation of project leaders who will be “spearheading initiatives that create real, positive change in our communities”.

The training activity wrapped up envisioning that through COELs, there will be more new and budding project leaders that will be able to have the interest, commitment, and aspirations to grow and develop, instilling the value of mentoring.