July 2, 2026 — Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D., led the relaunch of the National Seed Reserve Facility at the BPI Compound in Quezon City. The facility was reopened through the continued support of the Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the National Rice Program, and the collective efforts of DA-BPI personnel to strengthen seed security, agricultural resilience, and support for local farmers.
The relaunch was attended by DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.; Mr. Julius Barcelona, Vice President of the Philippine Seed Industry Association; Director Ralph Ceniza of the National Rice Program, representing Engr. Christopher Morales, CESO II, DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development; DA Undersecretary for Operations Roger V. Navarro; DA Undersecretary for Administration Allan Q. Umali; Atty. Che Cayanga, Chief Operating Officer of SeedlinkPH; Ricardo Reyes, Consultant of SeedlinkPH; DA-BPI Assistant Director Ruel Gesmundo; Geronima P. Eusebio, Chief of the Crop Research and Production Support Division (BPI-CRPSD); Elaiza Dotimas, Chief of the Agricultural Extension Division (AED); Mr. Felipe B. Largo from the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan; and other representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Plant Industry, and partner institutions.
In his message, Director Glenn shared that the facility marks the relaunch of BPI’s long-standing seed storage facility, which had been maintained despite limited resources. Through the support of the Department of Agriculture, the National Rice Program, and the dedication of BPI personnel, the facility has been rehabilitated and modernized, including the installation of a solar power system to improve operational efficiency and reduce energy costs. He also emphasized that opening the facility to the public responds to the long-standing need of farmers and other stakeholders for a reliable seed storage facility.
The National Seed Reserve Facility will serve as a centralized storage facility for high-quality seeds to ensure their proper preservation and management over the long term. It will serve DA-BPI, government agencies, research institutions, local government units, the private sector, and other organizations that need safe and reliable seed storage services.
As part of the program, a blessing of the facility was held, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the ceremonial activation of the solar power system, and the Ceremonial Seed Deposition, marking the official reopening of the facility.
In his keynote message, Secretary Tiu Laurel described the relaunch of the National Seed Reserve Facility as only the beginning of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s National Seed System. He underscored that every successful harvest begins with quality seeds, making the facility a vital investment in the future of Philippine agriculture. He emphasized that it will help preserve the quality and viability of the country’s seed resources for regular crop production while ensuring the timely availability of seeds for disaster response, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts. He also highlighted that the facility’s solar-powered system demonstrates how agricultural modernization and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand through the use of renewable energy.
Through the National Seed Reserve Facility, the government is expected to further strengthen its capacity to ensure adequate, high-quality seeds for farmers and other agricultural stakeholders. The facility reflects the continuing commitment to safeguard the country’s seed resources, support crop production, and build a more resilient, productive, and food-secure Philippine agriculture sector.