Congratulations to our very own OIC-Assistant Director for Regulatory Services and Concurrent Chief under the Bureau of Plant Industry of National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS), Ruel C. Gesmundo, elected on his third term as Executive Committee (ECOM) Member-at-Large of the International Seed Testing Association during the 2025 ISTA Congress held in Christchurch, New Zealand, from May 1-11, 2025.

The ECOM manages and directs the affairs of ISTA to produce internationally agreed-upon rules for seed sampling and testing, leading to the realization of uniformity in seed testing evaluation worldwide. Likewise, it acts as the governing body responsible for the development and implementation of policies, protocols, and regulations relative to seed technology and other quality assurance in the international seed trade.

As a dedicated ECOM member at Large, Assistant Director Gesmundo continues to support the initiatives of ISTA for seed expansion to widen the coverage and presence of ISTA in the Asian region, as well as the inclusion of more tropical and subtropical species into the ISTA rules so that many crops of tropical and subtropical regions can be covered. His expertise also contributes significantly to ISTA’s technical committees, where he helps shape policies for training initiatives, validation processes, and the development of crucial seed quality assurance guidelines.

This award is a testament to the active intervention of Secretary Francisco T. Laurel Jr., who has profoundly impacted the BPI’s initiative to build and sustain the reputation of the Philippines in international standard agricultural practices. And further complements the standing vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which aims to transform Philippine agriculture with reputable strategic partnerships, modernized technologies, innovative approaches, and world-class standards.

The Philippines’ commitment to international seed quality standards is underscored by its long-standing ISTA membership since 1962. The BPI has been an active participant, with its laboratories engaging in proficiency testing and contributing to the amendment of seed testing rules through its Voting Delegate at the annual ISTA Ordinary Meeting. Currently, the Philippines is home to three ISTA-accredited laboratories: BPI-NSQCS Central Laboratory (Quezon City), East-West Seed Company Inc. (Bulacan), and Corteva Agriscience’s Asia Pacific Regional Quality Laboratory (Tarlac), alongside the valued membership of the IRRI Seed Health Laboratory (Los Baños).

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