A researcher who rose from the ranks has been appointed as Acting Executive Director of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC).
Dr. Arnel del Barrio, former Center Director of PCC – UP Los Baños, took his oath of office on June 24 with the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Proceso J. Alcala. The ceremony was held at the Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center in Laoag City.
Four years prior to his appointment as the Executive Director, del Barrio was awarded the Most Outstanding Director of the Philippine Carabao Center. Under his leadership, he has turned the UPLB Center as the “Outstanding Regional Center.”
Named as Outstanding Young Scientist by the DOST National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in the year 2000, his name was put in the map among the most promising leaders in the country, specifically in the field of Ruminant Nutrition. This, and along with his many credentials, Dr. del Barrio has earned the rank of Scientist I under the Scientific Career System earlier this year.
Del Barrios’ leadership prowess was also seen in his presidency of the Philippine Society of Animal Science in 2007 to 2008.
Dr. Libertado Cruz, the former Executive Director of the PCC has passed the torch to del Barrio in a turn-over ceremony on June 27 at the Philippine Carabao Center Headquarters in Nueva Ecija.
Under del Barrio’s leadership, the PCC and its extended mandate is expected to sustain R&D collaboration with PCAARRD. With this time proven partnership, it is anticipated that technologies generated will cascade rapidly to the countryside, and consequently improve the livelihood of farmers.
In the past, del Barrio has also played a part in leading PCAARRD funded Community-based Science and Technology-based Farm (CBSTBF) and Science and Technology-based Farm (STBF) projects, yielding fruitful results.
Del Barrio finished his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in UP Los Baños in 1983. Just five years later, he achieved his Masters Degree in Animal Science also in the same University. And in 1992, he finished his degree in Doctor of Philosophy in the same field also in UPLB.