The BPI-NSQCS conducted the first training on PNA and PMC for Plant Nursery Operators in Region IV-A last June 26-27, 2025. The training was held at Queen Margarette Hotel, Diversion Road, Brgy. Domoit, Lucena City, Quezon.
The training for Plant Nursery Operators is a yearly event by the bureau in pursuit of promoting the Plant Nursery Accreditation and Plant Material Certification Programs in the region. A series of topics was expertly discussed by resource persons from both stakeholders and the bureau.
The event convened with messages from OIC-Assistant Director for Regulatory Services and Concurrent Chief of NSQCS, Ruel C. Gesmundo, and Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Director Glenn F. Panganiban. In their message, they emphasized the importance of high-quality planting materials in enhancing the total farm productivity of the region, particularly in light of the country’s increasing food demands. In the opening remarks, the BPI hoped that the participants to advocate for the Plant Nursery Accreditation and Plant Material Certification programs to counteract the detrimental issues affecting the sector.
Ms. Aurora L. De Guzman acknowledged the presence of the participants, comprising of prospective nursery operators from both the government and private sectors. Ms. Lorichelle Lunas, representative from NSQCS Region IV-A, delivered her opening message to the participants and encouraged them to be part of the BPI program.
On the first day of the training, Ms. Aurora L. De Guzman from BPI-NSQCS Central Office provided the step-by-step process involved in the certification of mother trees, asexually and sexually propagated seedlings of fruit and plantation crops. She also discussed the scheme for plant nursery accreditation among the participants. Dr. Romulo L. Cena, a retired professor from the University of Southern Mindanao, gave a lecture about the varietal identification of Cacao NSIC registered varieties. Ms. Laurie A. Salumbides from BPI-NPQSD Region IV-A discussed the requirements in the domestic movement of planting materials, and Mr. Noli P. Garcia from BPI-CRPSD tackled the best practices in nursery establishment and management. The first day was a productive day of discussion from different experts across the region, and the participants were very active in the question-and-answer portions, which gave them enlightenment.
On the second day, Dr. Miriam D. Baltazar lectured on the Varietal Identification of Coffee NSIC-registered varieties, and the practicum was held at Flor and Daisy’s Agricultural Farm in Sariaya, Quezon. The participants were able to witness tagging of plate tags of certified mother trees and seedlings of cacao, the way deputized/designated plant material inspectors do.
In the closing ceremony, the selected participants gave their impressions about the two-day training. Ms. Aurora De Guzman and Ms. Nitta Nievera (Region IV-A, Chief) delivered their closing messages for the nursery operators and encouraged them to have their nurseries accredited and begin producing certified planting materials.