Philippine Rice Research Institute

History

Edgardo Angara convened a committee to brainstorm the idea of establishing a national rice research center. The committee was composed of Domingo M. Lantican, vice chancellor for administration of UP Los Baños; Ricardo M. Lantican, UPLB director for research; Domingo F. Panganiban, deputy minister of Agriculture and Food; Ramon Valmayor, executive director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development; Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, IRRI director general; and Manuel de Leon, staff director of the National Economic and Development Authority.

The proposal for the establishment of PhilRice was submitted to then Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos through then Agriculture and Food Minister Salvador H. Escudero III. The Executive Order (EO1061) creating PhilRice was signed by President Marcos on November 5, 1985. Then Pres. Corazon C. Aquino signed EO 60 on November 7, 1986, which affirmed the creation and increased membership in the Board of Trustees of PhilRice. Minister of Agriculture Ramon V. Mitra and UP System President Edgardo J. Angara identified and recommended the members of PhilRice Board of Trustees (BOT) for appointment by President Aquino.

While a director has not yet been appointed, an Executing Committee chaired by UPLB College of Agriculture Dean Ruben L. Villareal laid the groundwork for PhilRice’s program plan and operations. In June 1987, PhilRice operations went full swing with the assumption to office of its first Executive Director, Dr. Santiago R. Obien. Before his appointment, Obien was president of the Mariano Marcos State University and director of the Philippine Tobacco Research and Training Center. With Dr. Obien at the helm, the Executing Committee was dissolved and a PhilRice-UPLB Management Committee was created to select UPLB staff members to be seconded to PhilRice as program leaders. The Committee’s functions were gradually reduced as PhilRice was being organized.

PhilRice’s headquarters, originally located at UPLB Campus, could not meet the envisioned manpower and program expansion. Thus, upon the suggestion of Prof. Kenzo Hemmi, IRRI BOT chair, PhilRice sought infrastructure and technical assistance from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Ramon V. Mitra, Carlos G. Dominguez, and Senen C. Bacani, secretaries of agriculture, strongly supported the idea. Through board resolution in March 1990, the Maligaya Rice Research and Training Center (MRRTC) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, which was previously merged with PhilRice, officially became the Central Experiment Station.

Recent

On September 28, 2005, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave PhilRice a US$ 800,000 grant for biotechnology research into rice with higher beta-carotene, vitamin E, iron, and protein amounts to aiding micronutrient deficiency in Third World countries like the Philippines. Dr. Rhodora R. Aldemita and the University of Freiburg which heads the Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges in Global Health Program, has matched the Gates Foundation's grant with funding into PhilRice's biotech laboratories, a radioisotope laboratory, and screenhouses for testing the modified rice.

On December 4, 2006 the Philippine Rice Research Institute was certified by Technischer Überwachungsverein as an Integrated Management Systems (IMS) compliant organization covering ISO 14001 series 2004 for Environmental Management; ISO 9001 series 2008 for Quality Management; and OHSAS 18001 series 2007 for Occupational Health and Safety Assessment.

In February 2013, the research institute was awarded with US$ 100,000 from the Arab Gulf Programme for Development, a non-profit development organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The institute was awarded for its program that helps farmers and agriculture professionals in providing them information in an open academy. The project also provides assistance through mobile messaging, thereby allowing the institute to reach more farmers in the country.

Organization

The Board of trustees is composed of twelve members representing all sectors and stakeholders of the rice industry. The membership to the Board is done through the appointments of the President of the Philippines. Currently, the Board is composed of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala who also sits as the ex-officio chairperson; Senen C. Bacani representing the agribusiness community; Dr. Gelia T. Castillo and CMU President Dr. Maria Luisa R. Soliven both representing the science community; Herculano C. Co, Jr.of grains business sector; Winston C. Corvera of the farming sector; Thelma G. Domingo and Edicia G. Della Torre both from the consumer sector; Jose S. Concepcion, Jr. of the business community; and Dr. Teodoro C. Mendoza of the academic community. Dr. Castillo has been a member of the Board of Trustee since it was first formed.

Programs

The Philippine Rice Research Institute has numerous interdisciplinary programs which develops and promotes technologies that are ecosystem-based, location- and problem-specific, and profitable to the Filipino farmers. The interdisciplinary programs were as follows: Direct-seeded irrigated lowland rice, Transplanted irrigated lowland rice, Hybrid rice, Rice for adverse environments, Rice-based farming systems, Rice and rice-based products, Policy research and advocacy, and Technology promotion.

The Research Institute also carried the seven R&D program structure from 1987 to 1998. These were Rice Varietal Improvement, Planting and Fertilizer Management, Integrated Pest Management, Rice-based Farming Systems, Rice Engineering and mechanization, Rice Chemistry and Food Science, and Social Science and Policy Research. A change to its R&D structure was implemented from 1998 to 2005. Each multidisciplinary R&D program was carried by the different discipline-based divisions and each division participated in each R&D programs, as follows: Policy Research and Advocacy, Technology Promotion, Rice and Rice-based Products, Rice-Based Farming systems for Fragile Environment, Hybrid Rice, Transplanted Irrigated Lowland Rice, Direct Seeded Irrigated Lowland Rice, and Environmental Sustainability & Management.

National

PhilRice partners with local research institutions such as DOST-PCARRD and the DA-BAR in planning, monitoring, and reviewing R&D activities.

PhilRice also coordinates the National Rice R&D Network (NRRDN), a formal and functional structure of 57 strategically located agencies, working toward a common goal of sustained self-sufficiency in rice. Two of these are designated as national research centers, six as branch stations representing the country's major rice-growing zones, 14 as regional research centers, as 35 as cooperating stations. Within the network are groups that address specific R&D areas such as the rice varietal improvement, technology promotion, rice mechanization, and SeedNet.

National Research Centers

Department of Agriculture Regional Field Units Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers Seed Farms/Outreach Stations Bureau of Agricultural Research Bureau of Agricultural Statistics Agricultural Training Institute Bureau of Soils and Water Management Bureau of Plant Industry BPI-National Seed Quality Control Services National Agricultural and Fishery Council National Irrigation Administration National Food Authority Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Advance Science Technology Institute (ASTI) Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) Department of Education (DepED) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units State Colleges and Universities (SCUs)

Non-Government/Private Organizations

Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance Alliance of Philippine Partners in Enterprise Development Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Incorporated Advanta Incorporated Asia Rice Foundation Bayer Crop Science Philippines Beidahuang Seed Group DevGen Philippines Pioneer Hi-bred Phils, Inc Philippine Foundation of Rural Broadcasters Seedworks India Pvt. Ltd. SL Agritech Corporation Tulay sa Pag-unlad Incorporated Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association

National Rice R&D Networks

National Research Centers

PhilRice Central Experiment Station, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna

Branch Stations

PhilRice Batac, MMSU Campus, Batac City, 2906 Ilocos Norte PhilRice Isabela, San Mateo, 3318 Isabela PhilRice Los Baños, UPLB Campus, College, 4031 Laguna PhilRice Bicol, Batang, Ligao City, 4505 Albay PhilRice Negros, Cansilayan, Murcia, 6129 Negros Occidental PhilRice Agusan, Basilisa, RTRomualdez, 8611 Agusan del Norte PhilRice Midsayap, Bual Norte, Midsayap, 9410 North Cotabato

Regional Research Centers

DA-Cordillera Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CIARC), Rizal, Kalinga DA-Ilocos Integrated Agricultural Research Center(ILIARC), Bacnotan, 2515 La Union DA-Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CVIARC), Ilagan, 3300 Isabela DA-Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CLIARC), Magalang, 2011 Pampanga DA-Bicol Integrated Agricultural Research Center (BIARC), Pili, 4418 Camarines Sur DA-Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC), Jaro, 5000 Iloilo City DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CENVIARC), M. Velez St., 6000 Cebu City DA-Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (EVIARC), Babatngon, Leyte DA-Western Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESMIARC), Ipil, 7001 Zamboanga Sibugay DA-Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC), Malaybalay City 8719 Bukidnon DA-Southern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (SMIARC), Bago Oshiro, 8000 Davao City DA-Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CEMIARC), Kidapawan City, 9400 North Cotabato Department of Agriculture and Fisheries -Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DAF-ARMMIARC), ORG Compound, 9600 Cotabato City DA-Caraga Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CARIARC), Trento, 8505 Agusan del Sur

Cooperating Stations

Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (ASIST), Lagangilang, 2802 Abra Benguet State University (BSU), La Trinidad, 2601 Benguet Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Batac City, 2906 Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), Sta. Maria, 2705 Ilocos Sur Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Bacnotan, 2515 La Union Pangasinan State University (PSU), Sta. Maria, 2440 Pangasinan Isabela State University (ISU), Echague, 3309 Isabela Quirino State College (QSC), Diffun, 3401 Quirino Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU), Bayombong, 3700 Nueva Vizcaya Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija Pampanga Agricultural College, Magalang 2011 Pampanga Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, Iba, 2201 Zambales Bulacan Agricultural State College, San Ildefonso, 3010 Bulacan Tarlac College of Agriculture, Camiling, 2306 Tarlac Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology, Mandaon, 5411 Masbate Aklan State University, Banga, 5601 Aklan Capiz State University, Mambusao, 5807 Capiz Central Philippine University, Jaro, 5000 Iloilo City Eastern Samar State University, Borongan, 6800 Eastern Samar Visayas State University, Baybay, 6521 Leyte Central Mindanao University, Musuan 8710 Bukidnon Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology, Claveria, 9004 Misamis Oriental Mindanao State University, Marawi City, 9700 Lanao del Sur University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, 9407 North Cotabato DA-CAR-Research Outreach Station, Luna, 3813 Apayao DA-Cagayan Valley Lowland and Marine-Research Outreach Station, Iguig, 3504 Cagayan DA-Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Lowland, San Manuel, 3011 Tarlac DA-Experimental Farm for Crops, Naujan, 5204 Oriental Mindoro DA-Bicol Experiment Station, Pili, 4418 Camarines Sur DA-BPI-La Granja National Crops Research & Development Center, La Carlota City, 6310 Negros Occidental DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Soil Water Research and Demonstration Station, Calanggaman, Ubay, 6315 Bohol DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Bohol Experiment Station, Gabi, Ubay, 6315 Bohol DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Agricultural Promotion Center, Dao, 6300 Tagbilaran City DA-Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station for Lowland Development, Abuyog, 6510 Leyte DA-Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station for Lowland Development, Catubig, 6418 Northern Samar Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Postharvest Technology Development, San Jorge, 6707 Western Samar DA-Western Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station, San Miguel, 7029 Zamboanga del Sur DA-Bukidnon Agricultural Productivity Center, Dangcagan, Bukidnon DA-CEMIARC for Upland and Lowland Development, Tupi, 9505 South Cotabato DA-Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station, Tacurong City, 9800 Sultan Kudarat DA-Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station, Talacogon, 8510 Agusan Sur

Farmer Partners

Kalinga Hybrid Rice Seed Growers Multi- Purpose Coooperative, Tabuk, 3800 Kalinga Tabuk Hybrid Rice Seed Growers Multi- Purpose Coooperative Inc., Tabuk, 3800 Kalinga Isabela Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc., Cauayan City, 3305 Isabela Nueva Ecija Seed Growers Association, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija lloilo Integrated Seed Growers' Multi-Purpose Cooperative, La Paz, 5000 Iloilo City Pototan Seed Growers' Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Pototan, 5008 Iloilo Negros Occidental Accredited Seed Producers Cooperative, Bacolod City 6100 Negros Occidental Southern Leyte Seed Growers' Association, St. Bernard, 6616 Southern Leyte Davao Multi-Purpose Seed Producers' Cooperative, Inc., Tagum City, 8100 Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Seed Producers' Cooperative, Inc., Digos City, 8002 Davao del Sur Davao Oriental Seed Producers' Cooperative, Banaybanay, 8208 Davao Oriental Seed to Rice Producers Cooperative, Lupon, Davao Oriental South Cotabato Seed Producers' Cooperative, Koronadal City 9506 South Cotabato Binhian ng Timug Kutabato Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Surallah 9512 South Cotabato

International

PhilRice conducts joint RD&E activities with international donor agencies such as the following:

Asia Rice Foundation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Enertime SAS, France German Development Cooperation International Atomic Energy Agency International Rice Research Institute International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Japan International Cooperation Agency Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Germany Nagoya University, Japan Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea RDA- Korean Project on International Agriculture Korea International Cooperation Agency Sarmap S.A., Switzerland Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture