By Kenneth Marcos 
The halls of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) in Iloilo City were filled with pride as staff celebrated a milestone achievement alongside their 33rd anniversary. On March 25, 2026, the agency was honored with the Platinum Award from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) during the 2026 Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) Presidents’ Summit.
The award recognizes DA-PCC’s excellence in research and innovation, particularly in managing and commercializing intellectual property. This top recognition reflects the agency’s commitment to turning scientific breakthroughs into practical solutions that benefit Filipino farmers and the livestock industry.
In addition to the Platinum Award, DA-PCC also received Gold and Bronze citations for the outstanding performance of its PCC-IPTBM/ITSO Office. Certificates of Commendation were presented to key leaders and staff, including Dr. Liza G. Battad, Executive Director III and PCC-ITSO Manager; Dr. Eufrocina P. Atabay, Head of IP-TBM and ITSO; and highly engaged team members Marlon R. Ragunton, Rogielyn R. Pabunan, and Xyran S. Alejandro. Notably, these awards came just a year after DA-PCC officially joined ITSO in 2024, signaling rapid progress in intellectual property management.
DA-PCC’s IP achievements are supported by long-term initiatives such as the IP-TBM and RAISE Projects of the DOST-PCAARRD from 2018 to 2025. These programs have helped generate intellectual properties and innovations ready for commercialization. Continuous training and guidance from ITSO-IPOPHL further strengthened the agency’s capability to protect, manage, and enforce IP rights, ensuring that research outputs are legally secured and effectively utilized.
During the ceremony, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Atty. Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan and Director Ralph Jarvis Alindogan presented the awards, which were received on behalf of DA-PCC by Dr. Atabay, Marlon Ragunton, and Rogielyn Pabunan.
Dr. Atabay emphasized that the recognition goes beyond trophies and citations. “This milestone inspires our entire team to continue fostering an innovation ecosystem,” she said. “It also drives our transformation into a multi-species research institution, so we can better serve the livestock sector and farming communities across the Philippines.”
For 33 years, DA-PCC has championed research in carabao and livestock development, helping farmers increase productivity, improve milk and meat yields, and adopt sustainable practices. The IPOPHL Platinum Award now adds another layer of distinction, highlighting the agency’s role in linking science, technology, and public service.
As the celebrations concluded, the DA-PCC community reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, research excellence, and providing practical solutions that uplift Filipino farmers and strengthen the livestock industry.
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