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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Agriculture Secretary Leads Launch of Animal Vaccine Dev’t Program at CenTrAD

Apr. 09, 2025

StratCom | SCO

Department of Agriculture - Philippines (DA) Secretary Hon. Francisco Tiu Laurel led the inauguration of the Animal Vaccine Development Program on April 8, 2025, at the Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (CenTrAD) located at Central Luzon State University (CLSU). The inauguration formed part of the University’s 118th Founding Anniversary celebration, which commenced with a ribbon cutting and was followed by a facility tour led by CenTrAD Director Dr. Virginia M. Venturina to showcase the facility and the laboratories dedicated to vaccine development. During the program proper, University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella reaffirmed CLSU’s strong commitment to advancing agriculture and animal health, emphasizing its unwavering support and shared dedication to serving its stakeholders. “In response to these pressing needs, we at CLSU, in partnership with our key stakeholders, affirm our commitment to advancing research and innovation in Veterinary Science through the establishment of a Vaccine Development Facility,” President Abella expressed. Meanwhile, in his keynote address, Secretary Laurel emphasized the importance of the National Animal Vaccination Program and its unwavering commitment to progress, resilience, and hope that protect the livestock and poultry, especially the people. He further advocated for honoring the strength of farmers by providing them with protection against economic challenges and disease outbreaks. Dr. Constante J. Palabrica, Undersecretary of DA Livestock, on the other hand, shared how he came to the idea of putting up an Animal Vaccine Development Program as it sparked when he first came to CenTrAD. His observations of vaccine production in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand fueled his belief in the capability of Filipino Scientists to produce vaccines, reducing reliance on imports. As such, the said program intends to enhance disease prevention strategies and promote sustainable livestock production through innovative research and development. CLSU, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies, particularly the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), DA-Livestock Biotechnology Center, and DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), played a key role in bringing the program to fruition. Other key people who graced the event were Dr. Claro N. Mingala, Director of DA National Livestock Program, Dr. Liza G. Battad, DA-PCC Executive Director, Mr. Joseph Rudolph Lo, President of Food Terminal Inc., Dr. Eduardo L. Lapuz, Jr., DA Region III Director and faculty and staff from the College of Veterinary Science and Medicine.

Related SDGs
  • 1

    Goal 1: No Poverty

  • 2

    Goal 2: Zero Hunger

  • 3

    Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

  • 4

    Goal 4: Quality Education

  • 12

    Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • 15

    Goal 15: Life on Land

  • 17

    Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals

Other Stories

SRC Team Bags 1st Place Best R&D Paper at NSAARRD; CLSU-based Reg’l Consortium Receives ‘Gold Milestone’ Award

The Small Ruminant Center (SRC) team, led by Director Neal A. Del Rosario clinched First Place, Best R&D Paper Award (Development Category) during the National Symposium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) for their project titled “Let’s Doe Business: Goat Milk–Based Livelihood Opportunity to Mitigate the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The award was conferred as part of the 53rd Anniversary of the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST–PCAARRD), held today, January 30, at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The award-winning paper highlighted an innovative livelihood intervention implemented during the pandemic, which empowered communities in Nueva Ecija by capacitating goat farmers and their family members in dairy goat production and milk processing. The initiative provided an alternative source of income while promoting food security and community resilience amid the health crisis. The team is composed of Dr. Edgar A. Orden, Assoc. Prof. Leny Lyn M. Del Rosario, Ms. Evadne S. Veluz, Ms. Lara Melissa Navalta, and Dr. Ma. Exelcis M. Orden. Earlier in the day, the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC) was also recognized for attaining the Gold Milestone Award, marking nearly five decades of continuous service under its base agency, the Central Luzon State University (CLSU). Established in 1976, CLAARRDEC is among the pioneering regional consortia that helped lay the foundation of the country’s consortia system particularly for the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) sector. In addition, Ms. Rachelle Liberato, Science Research Analyst and member of the CLAARRDEC Secretariat, was honored for her more than three decades of dedicated service, a testament to her invaluable contributions to the consortium’s sustained success and effective operations. Leading the CLSU–CLAARRDEC delegation was Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, CLSU President and RRDCC Chair, and was joined by Engr. Romeolito G. Tacbian, DOST 3 Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations; Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, CLSU Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension and CLAARRDEC Director; Assoc. Prof. Maria Adrielle S. Estigoy, Presidential Assistant for CLSU Strategic Communication and CLAARRDEC Science Communication Cluster Coordinator; Mr. Florence Dave Asuncion, Presidential Office Staff; and Ms. Ellen Joy S. Brillo, CLAARRDEC Secretariat member. The long-standing partnership between DOST–PCAARRD and CLSU through CLAARRDEC has been instrumental in advancing the growth of the University and its member institutions in AANR. Through sustained technical assistance and resource support, the collaboration continues to strengthen research, innovation, and development initiatives that benefit both the academic community and the countryside. #SievingForExcellence #CLAARRDEC

Feb. 01, 2026

Unit I Reigns Supreme, Defends Championship Crown in the 59th Intramural Games

Rumagasa ang bagsik ng dilaw! After the nerve-wracking games, Unit I- College of Education (CED) remains the undisputed champion, affirming its athletic supremacy during the 59th University Intramurals. In a spectacular display of athleticism and grit, the Golden Fighting Lynx successfully defended their throne, proving once again that Unit I is the "Home of Champions." The competition for the podium was a showcase of high-level athleticism. Unit V-College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) emerged as a formidable challenger, clinching the 2nd place trophy with 71 gold medals, while Unit II-College of Agriculture (CAg) maintained its competitive edge to finish in 3rd place. Here’s the official standing of the different colleges: Champion - Unit I (CEd) 2nd place - Unit V (CASS) 3rd place - Unit II (CAg) 4th place - Unit III (CEn) 5th place - Unit IX CoS) 6th place - Unit IV (CVSM) 7th place - Unit VIII (CHSI) 8th place - Unit VI (CBA) 9th place - Unit VII (CF) The awarding ceremony followed immediately after the final matches, presided over by key university officials, including Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, Vice President for Administration Dr. Ariel G. Mactal, and Head of the Sport Development Office, Assoc. Prof. John A. Agaton, alongside the respective College Deans. Congratulations to all the winners, participants, students, coaches, spectators, and organizers for making the 59th University Intramurals a resounding success.

Jan. 30, 2026

CLSU Receives ₱5M DOST-PCAARRD Grant for Mungbean Impact Research

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), through the College of Agriculture (CAg), the Socio-economic Research and Data Analytics Center (SERDAC), and the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA), has been awarded a five-million pesos research grant by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) for the implementation of the project titled “Impact Assessment of the Program on Improving Productivity and Local Utilization of Mungbean.” It will assess the impacts of previous DOST-PCAARRD-funded interventions designed to improve mungbean productivity and enhance its local utilization. Specifically, it will examine changes in farm productivity, the adoption of technologies, market and value chain outcomes, and socio-economic benefits for farmers and other stakeholders. The project also seeks to generate evidence-based insights that can guide future policy directions and program refinements in the mungbean industry. The project, to be led by Dr. Mari Joy M. Buenavista, together with Dr. Rocelyn M. Barroga, Asst. Prof. Maria Celia M. Fernando, Dr. Elizabeth R. Bajit, Asst. Prof. Jairus Jesse Tubal, and Asst. Prof. Roann P. Alberto, as a team member, was approved during the 14th Regular Directors’ Council Meeting of DOST-PCAARRD and will be implemented over a period of 18 months. An inception meeting was successfully conducted on January 23, 2026, in close coordination with the funding agency and the project’s external evaluator. The initiative reinforces CLSU’s mandate to contribute to national agricultural development through rigorous research, impact evaluation, and science-based policy support. It will also further strengthen CLSU’s collaboration with DOST-PCAARRD and underscores the University’s growing role in agricultural research, impact assessment, and national-level development planning. #SievingForExcellence

Jan. 27, 2026

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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines 3120
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