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March 18, 2025 | The BPI-NSQCS (Bureau of Plant Industry—National Seed Quality Control Services Division) conducted an Information Caravan for plant nursery operators in Region IV-A last March 18, 2025, at Research and Development Hall, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Siniloan, Laguna, with a total of 37 plant nursery operators from Region IV-A.

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The Information Caravan is an initiative conducted by the bureau in pursuit of promoting the 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.

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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. BPI Director Dr. Gerald Glenn Panganiban P.h.D. 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, Ms. Maria Ana Balmes, representative from DA-RFO IV-A hoped the participants would advocate for the 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.

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NSQCS Region IV-A Chief, Nitta N. Nievera, 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.

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Mr. Roel M. Rosales, Deputy Administrator from PCA discussed the PCA updates on CFIDP, while Mr. Hans Christopher Flores (ATI-CALABARZON) presented the Training schedules for Coconut and Cacao Nursery Operators and the requirements needed, and Ms. Maria Ana Balmes from (Region IVA-HVCDP) talked about the Regional outlook on high-value crops, particularly cacao. Ms. Aurora De Guzman 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; she also discussed the scheme for plant nursery accreditation among the audience. Dr. Romulo Cena, a Retired Professor from the University of Southern Mindanao, discussed the Varietal Identification of NSIC-Registered Varieties of Cacao through the webinar. Ms. Leni Manipon of BPI-PPSSD gave a lecture on the process involved in PhilGAP Certification. Mr. Mark Raymond Reyes from BPI-NPQSD discussed the Domestic Movement of Plant and Plant Products. Mr. Noli Garcia from BPI-CRPSD tackled the Nursery establishment and development. The event ended with a discussion with Ms. Apel Jae Clemente from BPI-CPMD regarding the Pests and Diseases of Cacao and their Management. The participants were also able to witness the tagging of certified seedlings of cacao the way deputized/designated plant material inspectors do.

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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.

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