Tublay, Benguet, Philippines — Marinduque State University (MarSU), through its Markaduke Research and Development Center (MRDC) funded by DOST-PCAARRD, strengthened its engagement with the Municipality of Tublay, Benguet, through a coordination meeting and field visit aimed at exploring a partnership on sustainable native pig production.

MarSU representatives, Hon. Mayor of the Municipality of Tublay, and the Municipal Agriculture Officer convene to explore a partnership on sustainable pig production.

Mr. Harvey A. Dulay, MRDC Chief, met with Municipal Mayor Atty. Juan L. Esnara and Mr. Jeffrey Sotero, Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO), to discuss possible areas of collaboration focusing on extension services – technical assistance, capability-building activities, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer initiatives that may support Tublay’s continuing efforts to improve local and alternative pig production. The proposed partnership is expected to be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MarSU and the Municipal Government of Tublay. It is expected to serve as a framework for future joint activities that will support farmers, agricultural workers, and community-based livelihood initiatives in Tublay.

Mr. Harvey A. Dulay, Chief of the Markaduke R&D Center, discusses the content of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on native pig production with the Honorable Municipal Mayor Atty. Juan L. Esnara and Mr. Jeffrey Sotero, Municipal Agriculture Officer.

As part of the visit, Mr. Dulay also observed the Municipality’s existing pig production practices and facilities. The visit provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange insights on pig housing, feeding systems, breeding management, and other practical approaches that may contribute to more sustainable and productive pig enterprises.

Markaduke R&D Center staff, Ms. Katie Noelle Pamfilo and Mr. Carlo Casal conduct a knowledge-sharing session about native pig production practices and technology options with participants of the DSWD’s Cash-for-Work Program under Project LAWA at BINHI of the Municipality of Tublay, Benguet.

The team also visited the Municipality’s organic farming facilities and observed its existing organic agriculture practices. Ms. Emalyn Valenzuela, staff member of the Crop Production unit of the College of Agriculture, joined the activity and contributed insights related to crop production and possible integration of organic farming practices with sustainable livestock production.

Mr. Harvey A. Dulay and Ms. Emalyn Valenzuela of the College of Agriculture’s Crop Production unit observe Tublay’s organic farming facility, including its compost-processing equipment and organic fertilizer materials, as part of the MarSU team’s learning visit.

The MarSU delegation also met with participants of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Cash-for-Work Program under the Municipality of Tublay’s Project LAWA at BINHI. During the activity, Ms. Katie Noelle Pamfilo and Mr. John Carlo Casal, staff members of the MRDC, shared the Center’s best practices on native pig production. The knowledge-sharing session highlighted practical technologies and management strategies developed and promoted by the MRDC, including appropriate feeding practices, production management, and sustainable approaches that can help improve smallholder pig-raising initiatives.

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