Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Atty. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles has recognized the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in “shaping the lives of the people and building up a better nation” during the institute’s anniversary celebration, Nov. 4.
The former cabinet secretary hailed the accomplishments of Dangal ng Bayan regional winner Jose A. Orcino for his “untiring service and commitment” in improving the seed production performance by overseeing the seed production area from land preparation to crop establishment and management.
He also developed strategies resulting in 100% average seed production efficiency of registered and foundation seed produced during the 2020 wet season.
Nograles also commended the team of Rice Business Innovation System Program Presidential, Lingkod Bayan Award finalist, for its initiative that “resulted in equal and unlimited opportunities for farmers to earn for their families and the organization through addressing the problems of local activity and competitiveness, as well as cross-cutting issues of food insecurity and poverty in rural farming areas.”
In the 2019 wet season and 2020 dry season, yield improvements were achieved at 0.17 and 1.03t/ha increase, respectively. Unit cost of rice production was reduced from PhP13.73/kg in 2016 wet season to PhP11.24/kg in 2019 wet season and from PhP13.76/kg in 2017 dry season to PhP10.78/kg in 2020 dry season. The program also resulted in reduced postharvest losses from 16.47% to 15.38% in 2020 dry season and 14.63% in 2020 wet season.
“DA-PhilRice, represented by Jose Orcino and the Rice Business Innovations System Program team, made the dreams of an ethics-oriented with integrity and accountable public service a reality. Their stories give us hope that we can turn things around and build back better from this Covid-19 pandemic,” the Civil Service Commission chairperson said.
In her message on behalf of the 247 awardees, Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Project Management Office (RCEF-PMO) Director, Dr. Flordeliza H. Bordey encouraged the PhilRice community to continue serving the farmers and the people despite the doubts they receive and the struggles they encounter.
Meanwhile, Executive Director, Dr. John C. De Leon, inspired the awardees by acknowledging their contributions.
“For the love of country, farmers, and rice. We could be just specks of dust in the wholeness of things, but whatever is the situation, whenever a farmer needs progressive change, we reach out and serve even at times, the travail is long, difficult, and sometimes, dangerous,” he said.
The institute awarded winners in the excellent performance, product/process, and public service categories. It also recognized its scholars, authors, recipients of awards, and long-service employees of 20-30 years.
