Vision

• A self-sufficient, sustainable, and competitive rice economy through a responsive rice R&D system and a strong, innovative science- and technology-base.

Mission

• To help the country attain rice self-sufficiency by increasing the productivity and profitability of rice farmers in a sustainable and competitive manner.

Mandates

• To sustain and further improve the gains already made in rice production;
• To improve the income and economic condition of small rice farmers;
• To expand employment opportunities in the rural areas; and
• To promote the general welfare of the people through self-sufficiency in rice production.
  

Functions

• To serve as the coordinating center of a national network of rice research stations located in different agro-ecological regions of the country;
• To plan and carry out research and development activitie, specifically in the areas of varietal improvement, planting and fertilizer management, integrated pest management, farm mechanization and postharvest engineering, farming systems, training ang technology transfer, and social science and policy research;
• To verify, package, and transfer economically viable technologies, giving emphasis on the social engineering aspects necessary for group endeacor
• To provide the data base or policy formulation that will stimulate and sustain rice production, marketing, and consumption;
• To organize and develop strong training programs for rice scientists, research managers, and extension workers; and
• To publish and disseminate research findings and recommendations.
  

Our Goals

• Lead strategic efforts in national rice science for development;
• Help ensure rice self-sufficiency and food security;
• Increase farm productivity and profitability;
• Reduce hunger and poverty;
• Provide new knowledge and information;
• Transform lives in rice farming communities; and
• Make rice R&D rewarding for scientists and researchers.

Our Strategies

• New generation rice science and technology
• Innovative rice R&D projects/programs
• Enhanced funding
• Continuous enlistment of new and fresh talents
• Retention and retooling of outstanding staff members
• Policy advocacy
• Protection of intellectual property (IP) and indigenous knowledge (IK)
• Good governance

Our Values

• Passion for excellence
• Hardwork and diligence
• Integrity and honesty
• Leadership by good example
• Responsibility and accountability
• Ingenuity and innovation
• Courtesy and competence
• Entrepreneurial spirit

History

Response to an urgent need

Rice is crucial to the Philippines' political stability and national security. It is the country's staple food and many Filipinos depend on it for a living. However, increasing population, shrinking rice hectarage, and damage caused by natural calamities, as well as man-made problems beset the rice industry. Compounding these is a policy environment that is more favorable to traders and millers.

While relevant rice research and development (R&D) efforts were done before the 1980s to address problems besetting the rice industry, efforts were at best fragmented and, therefore, did not translate into sustained rice self-sufficiency. Funding support for rice R&D was also negligible primarily because of the country's dependence on the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). But with a global mandate, IRRI cannot respond to all the needs of any one country. It can better help solve the Philippines' rice problems if the country has a strong national rice R&D body that will localize and bring IRRI's technologies to the farms.

Meeting of the minds

In March 1985, within the confines of the University of the Philippines (UP), UP System President Edgardo J. Angara convened a committee to brainstorm on the establishment of a national rice research institute. Later called the Executive Committee, the group was composed of UP Los Baños (UPLB) Vice-Chancellor for Administration Domingo M. Lantican and Director of Research Ricardo M. Lantican; Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) Domingo F. Panganiban; Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) Executive Director Ramon V. Valmayor; IRRI Director General M.S. Swaminathan; and NationalEconomic Development Authority (NEDA) Agriculture Staff Director Manuel de Leon.

As a result of the brainstorming, a technical interagency committee chaired by Dr. R.M. Lantican was formed to draft the proposal. The proposal was submitted in May 1985 to Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos through MAF Minister Salvador H. Escudero III.

Finally, on November 5, 1985, President Marcos signed Executive Order (EO) 1061 creating the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). It was subsequently amended by EO 60 signed by Pres. Corazon C. Aquino on November 7, 1986, strengthening PhilRice by increasing its membership to improve representations in the rice industry in its highest policymaking body, the Board of Trustees (BOT).

Laying the groundwork

Minister of Agriculture Ramon V. Mitra and UP System PresidentEdgardo J. Angara identified and recommended the members of the PhilRice BOT for appointment by President Aquino.

While a director has not yet been appointed, an Executing Committee chaired by UPLB College of Agriculture Dean Ruben L. Villareal laid the groundwork for PhilRice’s program plan and operations. In June 1987, PhilRice operations went full swing with the assumption to office of its first Executive Director, Dr. Santiago R. Obien. Dr. Obien brought with him his experience as president of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and director of the Philippine Tobacco Research and Training Center (PTRTC).  With Dr. Obien at the helm, the Executing Committee was dissolved and a PhilRice-UPLB Management Committee was created to select UPLB staff members to be seconded to PhilRice as program leaders. The Committee’s functions were gradually reduced as PhilRice got organized.

Finding a Home

PhilRice’s headquarters, originally located inside the UPLB Campus, could not meet the envisioned manpower and program expansion. Thus, upon the suggestion of Prof. Kenzo Hemmi, IRRI BOT chair, PhilRice sought infrastructure and technical assistance from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Secretaries of Agriculture Ramon V. Mitra, Carlos G. Dominguez, and Senen C. Bacani strongly supported the idea. By virtue of a board resolution in March 1990, the Maligaya Rice Research and Training Center (MRRTC) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, which was previously merged with PhilRice, officially became the Central Experiment Station (CES). Through a US$15.7 million JICA grant approved on December 21, 1989, PhilRice improved the station and equipped it with modern laboratory and training facilities.

Today, PhilRice is considered a model research agency, a center of excellence, and a world-class research institution.