GMA names Lorenzo as PhilRice chairman

President Arroyo has appointed presidential adviser on one million jobs Luis Lorenzo Jr. as chairman of the board of trustees of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Lorenzo’s appointment comes on the heels of Executive Order No. 76 issued by the President transferring PhilRice from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to the Office of the President.

PhilRice was established in 1985 to develop a national rice research program so as to sustain and further improve the gains already made in rice production, improve the income and economic condition of small rice farmers, expand employment opportunities in the rural areas, and ultimately promote the general welfare of the people through self-sufficiency in rice production.

Since PhilRice began operation in 1987, it has developed the national rice R&D network, which is now composed of 56 members that include state colleges and universities, research institutions, and agencies under the Department of Agriculture.

Last Dec. 12, President Arroyo issued Administrative Order No. 25 that set into motion the government’s Hybrid Rice Program. Under AO 25, the DA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Food Authority (NFA), and their respective allied agencies were authorized to accelerate and intensify the promotion of the utilization of hybrid rice technology.

In line with EO 76 signed on March 4, 2002, the President placed PhilRice under the Office of the President for closer administrative supervision and to reconstitute its board of trustee to enhance its effectiveness.

Aside from Lorenzo, President Arroyo has begun appointing members of the BOT. Among those initially named to be institute’s highest policymaking body are PhilRice Executive Director Leocadio S. Sebastian; Dr. Rodolfo C. Undan, president of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Felizardo K. Virtucio of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); Ma. Remedios V. de Leon, an agribusiness entrepreneur; and Dr. William G. Padolina, deputy director general for International Partnerships of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Under EO 76, PhilRice shall be the primary government agency responsible for the hybrid rice program and the promotion of the utilization of the hybrid rice technology.

In coordination with concerned agencies and provincial governments, the institute shall organize hybrid rice action teams for each of the provinces included in the program. The teams shall be composed of agriculturists, agrarian reform officers, irrigation officers, representatives of the NFA, and representatives of the stakeholders of the program from the farming and business sectors.

The teams shall identify suitable rice production areas, recommend partners to the farming and business sector of the rice industry, supervise production activities at the farm level, facilitate delivery of extension services, and ensure the financing and marketing of the program.

To ensure the attainment of the program’s targets as specified in EO 76, the DA shall allocate and realign P450 million from its Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Program budget as funding support for the program.

For the program’s calendar year 2002 requirements, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall ensure the timely release of funds to the DA, which shall immediately sub-allot and transfer the funds to PhilRice.

For CY 2003 and 2004, appropriations for the program shall be included in the budget proposed of PhilRice to achieve its targets for the period.