The Commission on Audit (COA) has commended PhilRice CES and Bicol for their Gender and Development (GAD) efforts during the evaluation of their 2024 GAD accomplishments held at their respective stations earlier this year. COA Auditor May Salvador (in pink blouse, from the right) recognized how the stations effectively implemented and mainstreamed GAD-related programs, resulting in a 93.3% utilization rate for CES and 48.43% for Bicol.

PhilRice Gender and Development Office organized and conducted a stakeholders’ consultation with representatives from the City Government of Muñoz, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Agrarian Reform, Central Luzon State University, and Municipal Agriculture Office-Zaragoza on May 29 at its headquarters to firm up its gender and development agenda. The GAD agenda will address gender issues in agriculture by validating strategies to close gender gaps, and will align them with national […]

The Institute celebrated 2025 National Women’s Month in March with a series of Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives in its headquarters and branch stations. The month-long celebration themed “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas” aimed to promote Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), in line with the Magna Carta of Women.  The series of events strengthened GAD integration in agriculture and development programs by capacitating […]

The 2024 Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Annual Review cum PhilRice RCEF Seed and Extension General Assembly gathered representatives of implementing agencies, Offices of Senator Cynthia Villar and Congressman Wilfrido Mark Enverga, key officials from the Department of Agriculture, and Institute’s RCEF operations personnel at the CBC Plenary Hall on Feb. 4-7.  As the extended RCEF marks its 6th and final year of Phase 1 implementation, the review examined its […]

This year’s National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM), which is being celebrated every November, was themed “Be RICEponsible”. NRAM gravitated anew on responsible rice consumption with activities aimed at reducing rice wastage and supporting farmers. The “Half-Cup, Full-Heart” challenge urged Filipinos dining out not to buy more than they can finish. Branch stations breath life to the theme through various activities: Midsayap hosted “Roots and Shoots,” involving staff and students in […]

Over 1,200 farmers, agricultural officers, extension workers, and representatives from local government units and state universities and colleges heard the good news about the possible extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program during the Lakbay Palay held at the DA–PhilRice Central Experiment Station, Sep. 18-19. “The extension of RCEF is for the farmers and cooperatives. If RCEF is extended, the tariff revenue from imported rice will help the […]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed in July 2024 the PhilRice Executive Director along with three new members to its Board of Trustees as part of a strategic initiative to boost rice production and improve the livelihoods of Filipino rice farmers. Dr. John C. de Leon took his oath for a second term as the PhilRice Executive Director on July 29, 2024. Initially appointed by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte […]

The Sangguniang Bayan of Santa, Ilocos Sur approved a resolution for the adoption of the Minus-One-Element Technique (MOET)-generated fertilizer recommendations on June 26, which was passed by the Committee on Agriculture. According to Hon. Eugene B. Borje, the resolution will guide the local government unit of Santa, especially the municipal agriculture office in identifying initiatives and activities to promote the MOET-generated fertilizer recommendations to their rice farmers.  “The recommendations will […]

The RCEF Seed Program’s PalaySikatan 2.0 project has boosted mechanized rice planting this wet season, showcasing riding-type and walk-behind transplanters. Michael Johnson P. Mabalo of the San Quintin Integrated Farmers Association (SQIFA) noted that initial resistance from older farmers decrease after seeing the demonstrations, leading to increased adoption. Similarly, Elmer B. Vidad of the Bangar Irrigators Farmers Association (BIFA) reported successful member adoption following the demonstrations. SQIFA farmer-adopters rose from […]

The DA-Crop Biotechnology Center (DA-CBC) and DA-PhilRice participated in the 46th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), July 10-11. The event gravitated on the theme, “Beyond Farm Productivity: Transforming the Philippine Food System to Address Equity, Consumer Health, and Environmental Issues.” It showcased a range of Research for Development thrusts, emerging and ongoing projects from different government agencies and state universities […]