CARABAO PRESERVATION Aklan recipients laud distribution of imported bulls BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL KALIBO, Aklan -– To establish carabao-based enterprises and its genetic improvement, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) has implemented the Cara Bull Loan Program in the province in support of the artificial insemination program. According to Agriculturist II/Coordinator Thamar Restar, fifteen (15) heads of island pure breed American Murrah Buffalo from PCC Stock Farm in Ubay, Bohol were distributed to recipients at the Bagsakan Center in Brgy. Libas, Banga, Aklan recently. "These bulls range from 18 months to two years old and are expected to breed in one year under the five-year Cara Bull Loan Program,"” Restar stressed, adding, the cara bulls distributed to recipients could produce 1,200 F1 calves for meat purposes by 2011. The program started in 2004 after Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores coordinated with PCC Muñoz, Nueva Ecija for the province to become one of the recipients of the program on carabao upgrading. The distribution of imported Murrah bulls was witnessed by Banga Mayor Jeremy Fuentes and Provincial Administrator Diego Luces to recipients from the towns of Altavas, Balete, Batan, Banga, Libacao, Madalag, Malinao, Makato, Tangalan, Ibajay, Nabas and the Provincial Livestock Farm in Makato, Aklan. PCC is an agency connected with the Department of Agriculture by virtue of RA 7370, otherwise known as the Philippine Carabao Act of 1992, authored by then Sen. Joseph Estrada. It became operational in 1993 with at least 13 carabao centers throughout the country. The project, which aims to ensure higher income and better nutrition and technology development and dissemination, is a joint undertaking of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, the Congressional District Office of Aklan, PCC West Visayan State University (WVSU) Lapaz, Iloilo City and the local government units in the province.