DA-PhilRice top officials show their commitment and support in the delivery of high-impact research and development initiatives during their recent visits to some branch stations.
Dr. Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang, deputy executive director (DED) for research, inspected the newly acquired seed production area, on-site research on rice-rice-mungbean, and rice-rice-corn cropping patterns research and demonstration field, and facilities of DA-PhilRice Isabela during its 30th anniversary celebration on Jan. 17-19. He also mentored and coached station officials.
During the 23rd anniversary of Batac station on Feb. 9-11, Quilang proposed ways on how to further improve the Mariano Marcos State University Cares collaborative project; the research for development field’s fertilizer derby; the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology modeling; and the plans for the water-harvesting facility, warehouse, and road improvement. He also visited the Rayuray in Batac City and Banna RiceBIS sites.
DED for Administrative Services and Finance Abner T. Montecalvo attended the groundbreaking of the seed warehouse at the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato where the Midsayap station cultivates around 50ha seed production area under a memorandum of agreement with the university. He also visited Central Mindanao University for the improvement of its seed production land.
Dr. Karen Eloisa T. Barroga, DED for development, also visited Los Baños (Jan. 24-25), Bicol (Feb. 21-24), and Negros (Mar. 22-24) to discuss strategic directions in the next five years and to strengthen their development interventions including under RCEF. The visits involved courtesy calls and discussion meetings with local government executives, RiceBIS communities, farmers, and farm school owners.
Dr. Flordeliza H. Bordey, director of the RCEF-Program Management Office, visited: Bicol (Mar. 20-24), Agusan (Mar. 30-Apr. 1), and Negros (Apr. 19-22) to also attend RCEF seed and extension activities, conduct consultation meetings with seed growers cooperatives, associations, and meet with RCEF staffs from the stations.
Executive Director John C. de Leon visited the facilities and seed production farm of the Isabela station on Jan. 26. He met with Board of Trustees member Romeo Vasquez and the RiceBIS MarDag officials. He also visited the newly acquired Ramon farm of the station. The director also attended Bicol station’s 11th anniversary on March 25.
