PhilRice Batac
The Ilocos Sur provincial government expressed support to the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP) in a courtesy call initiated by PhilRice Batac, Aug. 22. Officials, led by Governor Ryan Luis Singson, were briefed on the activities and services under RCEP. Ilocos Sur is one of the top 20 provinces yielding an average of more than 4t/ha.
PhilRice Isabela
Supporting a provincial drive called “Todas Dengue, Todo Na’to (Ikaanim na Kagat), PhilRice staffers joined nearby communities in San Mateo in keeping the environment clean. Isabela is among the provinces with the most number of dengue cases with 2,933 and 18 deaths.
PhilRice Los Baños
PhilRice Los Baños enhanced students’ knowledge on organic agriculture, pest management, and crop production. About 200 junior and senior high school students became aware of PhilRice programs and agricultural careers. The learners from Santisimo Rosario Integrated High School also toured the station’s gene bank, rice chemistry and tissue culture laboratories, and one-stop information shop.
PhilRice Bicol
Delegates from PhilRice Bicol garnered two best papers awards in the 1st Bicol Region Research, Development, and Extension Network Review held in Naga City, Aug. 22-23. The paper, Phase II: Enhancing the Capabilities of Bicol Agta IPs Through Palayamanan Approach was awarded 1st place in the Socioeconomics category while Accelerating the Development and Dissemination of Technologies for Direct-Seeded Rice in Irrigated and Rainfed Ecosystem won 2nd place in Technology Adaptation. PhilRice Bicol staffers also presented their completed DA-funded projects.
PhilRice Agusan
With the theme, “Paving our way to 30,” PhilRice Agusan celebrated its 29th anniversary, Aug. 8, through thanksgiving ceremony and seminar on HIV, schistosomiasis, and mental health conducted by the Department of Health in Caraga. Outstanding employees were also recognized.
PhilRice Midsayap
About 500 farmers from Alamada and Banisilan, Cotabato completed the Farmers’ Field School on dinorado rice production, clustering approach, and rice-based agro-enterprise, Aug. 20. A training under Cotabato Special Rice Project, the initiative encourages farmers to market their own produce through rice-based agro-enterprise. Cotabato Dinorado Agriculture Cooperative was also launched as first of the three cooperatives founded by farmers through the project. Funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, the project is jointly implemented by PhilRice, University of Southern Mindanao, and local government units of Alamada and Banisilan.
