Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) recognized the contribution of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to the state agricultural institute`s growth and development as an institution of excellence.
During the College’s 36th Recognition Rites, PhilRice was cited for “uplifting the status and standard of research and extension programs of the College by providing P1 M for the implementation of the [joint] Information and Technology-Based Extension Services [of PhilRice-led Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OpAPA) and PAC].”
Utilizing the fund, OpAPA based in the century-old state college established its Farmers’ Text Center, which uses SMS to deliver practical and the latest information to farmers in the country and the e-learning platform for agriculture students to learn more of agricultural technologies. For the initiatives, the project team was given the 2010 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award by the Civil Service Commission.
PhilRice was also recognized for extending scholarship grants to the College’s faculty members, improving their competence in their specialization, especially in agriculture and extension.
Representing PhilRice’s Officer-In-Charge Ruben B. Miranda, Dr. Karen Eloisa T. Barroga, head of PhilRice’s Development Communication Division and Olive Rose M. Asis, OpAPA program director, received the plaque of appreciation.
“PAC and PhilRice value this partnership. PhilRice is also indebted for PAC’s support in disseminating and sharing our knowledge resources to rice stakeholders [as the College is also our partner in the PhilRice-IRRI Cyber Village Project],” Miranda said.
