February 27, 2025 | The BPI-NSQCS (Bureau of Plant Industry-National Seed Quality Control Services) conducted an Information Caravan for plant nursery operators in Region XII last February 27, 2025, at PhilRice Midsayap, Bual Norte, Midsayap, North Cotabato, with a total of 30 plant nursery operators from Region XII and BARMM.
The Information Caravan is an initiative conducted by the bureau to promote Plant Nursery Accreditation and Plant Material Certification Programs in the region. These programs ensure the availability of high-quality planting material, particularly for Fruits and Plantation crops.
The event convened with a video message from OIC Assistant Director for Regulatory Services and Concurrent Chief of NSQCS, Ruel C. Gesmundo. In his message, he underscored the importance of quality planting materials in boosting the total farm productivity of the region, especially in the background of rising food demands in the country.Meanwhile, BPI Director, Dr. Glenn Panganiban, encouraged the participants to be part of the programs under the bureau and to produce good-quality planting materials through his video message. In the opening remarks, Dr. Neil C. Doton, a representative from DA-RFO XII, hoped the participants would advocate for Plant Nursery Accreditation and Plant Material Certification programs to counteract the detrimental issues affecting the sector. The Director also further emphasized the essentiality of the initiatives to support the high-value crop sector.
NSQCS BARMM and Region XII Chief, Omara M. Kempa, acknowledged the participants comprised of prospective nursery operators from both the government and private sectors. Afterward, a series of topics were discussed by experts and resource speakers from the Bureau and related agencies.
A diverse training program equipped participants with essential knowledge and skills in plant nursery operations and certification. Ms. Gladys Hazel Café from the ATI-Region XII talked about the training Schedules for Coconut and Cacao Nursery Operators and the requirements needed, while Dr. Ruben T. Tacadao from the Region XII-PCA tackled the PCA Updates on CFIDP and Ms. Jenny Pinoon of Region XII-HVCDP discussed the Regional Outlook on High-value Crops, Particularly Cacao. Mr. Earl Austin Aromin from the BPI-NSQCS Central Office provided the Step-by-Step Process Involved in the Certification of Mother trees and Asexually and Sexually Propagated seedlings of Fruit and Plantation Crops; he also discussed the scheme for plant nursery accreditation among the audience. Mr. Virgilio Loquias, a Retired Supervising Agriculturist from BPI-Davao, discussed the Varietal Identification of Lanzones, Durian, Rambutan, and their Management. Mr. Briann Lou P. Bernardo of BPI-PPSSD Davao gave a lecture on the Process involved in PhilGAP Certification. Mr. Jimboy S. Pintokasan from BPI-PQS Cotabato discussed the Domestic Movement of Plant and Plant Products. The event ended with a discussion from Mr. Ernie Lito Bollosa from BPI-CRPSD on the intricacies of Nursery establishment and development. The participants were also able to witness the tagging of certified seedlings of cacao the way deputized/designated plant material inspectors do.
It was a productive day of discussion from different experts across the region. The BPI-NSQCS hopes to champion these programs across other regions in the Philippines through the Information Caravan, thereby encouraging nursery operators to accredit their nurseries and begin producing certified planting materials.