International Training Center on Pig Husbandry

Agriculture and education

Since this blog is dedicated to indigenous pig farming, I decided to feature a government agency that advocates animal husbandry particularly on swine production. Meet the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) of the Department of Agriculture.

Located in the bustling city of  Lipa, Batangas (some 100 km away from Manila, the Philippine capital), this training center caters to agricultural education with its focus on hog raising.

In 2013, I had undergone a one week training through a non-formal short course here about sustainable pig farming and in-farm production of beneficial microorganisms used for both native and hybrid pigs. Honestly, I was completely surprised that such a government agency exists near my hometown. What was even more amazing is that they offered the courses I took for FREE. By that, I mean, free food (3 meals and 2 snacks everyday), free board and lodging, free transportation for the field trips and free internet use. Because of the very welcoming accommodation, I felt like I was a fattener pig for one whole week. Haha! Although I never get the chance of being a "breeder boar". But I guess that's something else. Hehe.

Here is a brief history about the center lifted from the ITCPH website:

The Center started in June 1985 as a foreign-assisted project under the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and was initially located at the Alabang Stock Farm in Muntinlupa. It was jointly established by the Philippine and Netherlands governments.

They conducted their courses in different places. Lectures were done in a residential house in BF Homes Parañaque which was also used as the participants' dormitory. For practical classes, the participants were transported in a tractor to the Stockfarm.

Its pioneer employees were hired as contractual workers and mostly from BAI. Some of these pioneers went to Lipa City in 1989 although they were not assured of a permanent position in the government.

The maiden issue of the ITCPH Newsletter was published in December 1986.

Between 1988 to 1989, the Management Team of the ITCPH Project shopped for a suitable "home". And, they found a suitable site in Lipa City with the land provided by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Regional Office. The 7.2 hectare land was previously planted with guyabano trees and "talahib" grass. In 1989, ITCPH finally settled in its present location in Marawoy, Lipa City.

In September 1989, ITCPH was inaugurated under the Bureau of Animal Industry. During the second phase of the project, the Center was institutionalized under the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute with 39 plantilla positions, a remarkable event that signified that ITCPH is here to stay even after the Netherlands assistance.

Initially, ITCPH offered only 4 courses, namely: National Course for Extensionists, Agricultural Teachers Course, International Course and Private Course for Semi-Commercial Swine Raisers. Now, the Center is offering 13 different courses on pigs and its related aspects.

In 1998, it became a regular government agency. It became the only specialized training center of ATI.

Since then, ATI-ITCPH had continued to sustain and improve its programs and services.