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 in 2019, Dr. de Leon has been instrumental in aligning the Institute’s initiatives with the PhilRice Strategic Plan and with the Department of Agriculture’s overarching objectives. His leadership is pivotal in achieving record-breaking palay production outputs in both 2021 and 2023, demonstrating resilience in the face of global challenges.
Meanwhile, the three newly appointed members to the DA-PhilRice Board of Trustees is a move intended to revitalize the board’s dynamic composition and reinforce its commitment to advancing rice farming communities.
The newly appointed members include Dr. Adeliza A. Dorado, representing the Science Community, an alumna of the University of Philippines Los Baños specializing in food processing and engineering, as well as bioprocess engineering; Mr. Ramon T. Lim, representing the Agribusiness Sector, a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) for the Agriculture Sector, a Philippine government advisory body that provides guidance to the President in achieving the country’s economic goals; and Mr. Ariel B. Dolores, representing the Farming Sector, an alumnus of the Central Luzon State University who serves as the President of the Philippine Rice Seed Growers Federation of Agriculture Cooperative (PhilPalay)
These appointments are expected to bring fresh perspectives, fostering innovation and progress in rice farming communities. The DA-PhilRice Board of Trustees is chaired by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. with Undersecretary Christopher V. Morales as an alternate. Other members of the board include Mr. Senen C. Bacani, Dr. Francisco Gil N. Garcia, and Mr. Delfin R. Pilapil Jr.
