P’sinan regulates slaughter of ‘vanishing’ carabaos

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan   – Pangasinan is the first province in the country to pass and implement an ordinance regulating the sale or slaughter of female carabaos (riverine buffaloes and crossbreds).

According to the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Provincial Ordinance No. 170, which Gov. Amado Espino Jr. signed into law in March 2013, is one big step to contain the depleting number of female carabaos not only in the province but also in the entire country.

In a media conference last Jan. 29, Gloria de la Cruz, PCC director based in La Union, said the carabao, specifically the female species, is now a vanishing breed.

The recorded carabao population in Pangasinan in January 2010 was 110,268. This went down to 92,470 in July of the same year.

In January 2013, the carabao population in the province was recorded at 80,090, and in July, 77,794. Of these figures, female carabaos comprised roughly 35 percent.

In response to this, the PCC conducted complete supervision and regular monitoring with the assistance of the provincial veterinarian’s office to help save the carabao industry.

PCC programs being implemented include genetic improvement projects like artificial insemination and bull loan.

On the part of the provincial government, Espino, since he became governor in 2007, has directed the provincial veterinarian’s office to conduct artificial insemination in provincial agricultural stations.

“We have trained 16 breeding technicians who take charge in the local level,” De la Cruz said, adding that the provincial government has fully supported the program which the release of P1.5-million assistance for the buy-back scheme.

The buy-back scheme enables farmers who are financially constrained to sell their female carabaos of good breed to the government.

Pangasinan, being a vast agricultural province, has large key areas for carabao breeding. Alaminos City and the towns of Agno, Anda, Bani, Bolinao, Villasis, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, Dasol, Mabini, Burgos, Bautista, San Manuel and Umingan have been identified as such areas.

Acting provincial veterinarian Eric Perez said the provincial government would implement a stricter policy on regulating carabao sale or slaughter.

Under the ordinance, Perez said any person who owns a female breedable carabao shall obtain clearance from the city or municipal agriculture office.

The slaughter of quality carabaos without the required documents is considered a punishable act with corresponding penalties, including reprimand and revocation or cancellation of license to transport livestock.