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17 February 2025 | On the second day of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Executive Committee meeting, the Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) hosted a fellowship night for ISTA delegates. The event featured folk dance performances showcasing BPI employees’ talents while highlighting Filipino history and culture. It aimed to foster camaraderie, promote cultural exchange, and strengthen connections among delegates, BPI officials, and employees.

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BPI Assistant Director for Regulatory Services and Chief of the National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS), Ruel C. Gesmundo, who also serves as an ISTA Executive Committee Member-at-Large, emphasized that this event will be a part of BPI’s rich history as the institution approaches its 100th anniversary in 2030. As an ISTA-accredited institution and an active executive committee member, BPI upholds world-class standards and demonstrates its commitment to international collaboration and linkages.

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BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, PhD, and Assistant Director Herminigilda A. Gabertan, PhD, warmly welcomed the delegates and wished them a productive meeting and an enjoyable stay in Manila.

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ISTA President Keshavulu Kunusoth thanked BPI for hosting and actively participating in the ISTA initiatives. He highlighted that this engagement is a vital step toward standardizing and ensuring the availability of quality seeds—a crucial factor in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), one of ISTA’s primary objectives. President Kunusoth also conveyed his enthusiasm for future collaborations and meetings to support the seed industry’s vital role in feeding the global population.

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ISTA Secretary General Andreas Wais also thanked BPI for its hospitality.

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As a token of appreciation, the delegates received gifts that symbolized BPI’s warm hospitality and the richness of the Philippines’ culture.

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(021825-21)