Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, again commends PhilRice for its effective implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed and Rice Extension Services Programs.
At an official Congress activity on May 14, Villar highlighted PhilRice’s achievements, noting substantial increases in farmers’ yields largely resulting from the extensive distribution of inbred certified seeds.
“I’ve been the chair of the committee for eleven years, and I can tell you that the best agency I’ve seen so far in the Department of Agriculture is PhilRice. I truly salute PhilRice,” Villar enunciated.
As the five-year implementation of the RCEF programs concludes this year, Villar announced in the 2023 PhilRice RCEF Seed & Extension Program Annual Review last Feb. 6, her intention to have them extended. She underscored the necessity of reviewing and recognizing the programs’ impact on agri-productivity, to justify their continuation.
Villar first commended the Institute during the Program’s annual review in February, highlighting the program’s successful outcomes and the dedication of those involved. The RCEF Seed and Rice Extension Services are components of Republic Act 11203, or Rice Tariffication Law, which allocates a P10 billion fund every year.
Relate link: Villar Commeds PhilRice led RCEF program
