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PCAF employees led by Executive Director Sarah Gutierrez-Cayona (left) formally open the agency’s Animversary celebration on June 28, 2019.With her are fellow officials (from l-r): AFMD Chief Fidelia De Asis-Andres, AFMD-MS Chief Merlyn Galdonez, OIC-Deputy Executive Director Engr. Alexander Daroya, PMKMD OIC-Assistant Division Chief Cleofas Ventic and PDD-SMS Chief Floreliz Avellana. Joining them is Animversary Thanksgiving mass celebrant Fr. Joseph Buslon.

In observation of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries’ (PCAF) 6th anniversary, the agency’s management and staff gathered on June 26, 2019 to commemorate the said milestone thru a series of activities.

Kicking-off with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Fr. Joseph Buslon, it was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Executive Director Sarah Gutierrez-Cayona to formally open the festivities.

Aside from an exhibit on the 3rd floor lobby of the PCAF Building which highlights the development of the agriculture sector thru introduction of farm machinery, employees also partook in the Soup Kitchen and Anniversary Luncheon.

PCAF’s 2019 Loyalty awardees are all smiles after receiving their certificates. With them are HRDS chief Braulio Castro (left) and OIC-DED Engr. Alexander Daroya (right).

Later in the day, there was a presentation of the agency’s Loyalty Awardees for FY 2019. This would prove to be the highlight of the ANIMversary celebration, as these employees were recognized for their tireless efforts and valuable services rendered in the field of public service.

These PCAF personnel are the following:

40 years: Fidelia De Asis-Andres, Marilyn A. Gonzales, and Soledad B. Bernardo

35 years: Cleofas M. Ventic, Herminia S. Delos Reyes, Vienna E. Beltran, and Zoraida F. De Guzman

25 years: Melchor D. Aranzaso

20 years: Marisa R. Lo, Josie C. Riego, Marissa P. Montemayor, and Rachelle A. Ayllon

Also, in acknowledgement of the work that they have rendered to the organization over the course of their respective professional tenures, the awardees were given certificates.

PCAF officials, staff and guests flash the “6” handsign in recognition of the agency’s Animservary after the Thanksgiving Mass at Apacible Conference Room B on June 26, 2019.

Aside from these events, the agency, through the Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management Division (PMKMD) also conducted two Knowledge Events as a fitting conclusion to PCAF’s Animversary celebration.

Dr. Amado Antonio III of BAI shares his expertise on Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP) during the Food Safety Knowledge Event on June 28, 2019 (above), while NAST member and former PhilRice Executive Director Dr. Eufemio Rasco discusses the Food Security without Rice study at the Knowledge Unloading Day on July 2, 2019.

Held on June 28, 2019, the Knowledge Sharing Event on Food Safety had resource speakers from the National Dairy Authority (NDA), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as they discussed the importance of handling and preparing food products for the consuming public. This activity is in coordination with the office of the DA Assistant Secretary for Regulations and the Visayas, Atty. Hansel Didulo.

Additionally, a Knowledge Unloading Day (KUD) was also conducted a few days later on July 2nd, which tackled achieving Food Security without rice, the country’s main staple. With former PhilRice Executive Director and current member of the National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST) Dr. Eufemio Rasco as resource person, the KUD centered on various food crops and farming practices that Filipinos may use as an alternative in producing and consuming rice. -AE