The National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS) held its Sectoral Meeting and Strategic Planning from January 20-24, 2025. This program was attended by key personnel of NSQCS, such as the Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, OICs, Special Collecting or Disbursing Officers, Report Officers, Technical Staff, and other members of NSQCS.
In line with the celebration of the Bureau of Plant Industry in its 95th year in the service with a theme “Innovating for Climate Resiliency Towards Food and Nutrition Security” and the NSQCS’ mission, this serves as a way to collaborate to develop high-quality seeds that will become a foundation for breeding programs. This will then create new varieties with traits like drought tolerance, heat stress resistance, flood tolerance, and pest and disease resistance. Additionally, this will also ensure access to and promote the use of high-quality seed that is capable of significantly enhancing our ability to adapt to climate change and provide food and nutrition security for all.
The OIC Assistant Director for Regulatory Services and concurrent Chief of NSQCS, Mr. Ruel Gesmundo, highlighted the importance of the sectoral meeting as a channel to discuss various programs and strategies regarding the utilization of the resources now that there is a change of policy in the utilization of funds.
Furthermore, he also discussed the challenge brought by the Amended Rice Tariffication Law. “Doon sa bagong batas malaki ang role ng BPI, kasi this time we are tasked and mandated with responsibilities beyond our usual scope in terms of food safety and importation,” AD Gesmundo said.
According to the mandate, BPI will now be tasked with conducting quality testing of grains, registering and maintaining a national database, conducting regular inspections of labor houses and agricultural facilities, and collecting and analysis of rice data.
Meanwhile, Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, P.h.D., encouraged the attendees to collaborate and have mutual support with each other, saying, “Let’s thrive together, complement each other. Maaaring iba’t ibang style ang pamamalakad pero iisa pa rin ang direksiyon.”
The following issues were talked about in the sectoral meeting:
● Plant Nursery Accreditation, Plant Material Certification, and Tissue Culture Facility accreditation by Aurora L. De Guzman
● Accreditation and Seed Certification by Maria Belinda N. Cruz
● Seed Testing by Elalin T. Torio
● Planning and Management by Rhoda Grace S. Pintuan.
● Financial Matters by Anisah C. Guro-Macalangcom and Ma. Kristine Joy M. De Guzman
● The (SAGF) Seed Fund by Paul Ryan O. Alcantara
● Procurement by Jhoana Grace B. San Gabriel
● The Property and Supplies by Paula R. Del Rosario
● The Infrastructure Projects by Elaiza Nicol S. Dotimas
● The Personnel Matters by Elaine T. Molon
● Other matters by Elalin T. Torio
● The 2025 Report Template by the Planning and Monitoring Team
● The Updates, Issues, and Concerns of NSQCS Regional and Satellite Office by BOPI-NSQCS Regional and Satellite Office