DA-BPO joins with stakeholders in planning for the future of Philippine rubber industry

The Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO) team has been invited to participate in the National Stakeholders Consultation cum Planning Workshops for the finalization of the Indicative FY 2025 Plan and Budget Proposals of the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), which will be held from January 29-30, 2024 at the World Palace Hotel in Davao City.

Bannering the theme, “Usapang Goma: Sama-samang Pagtugon at Pagpapaunlad ng Industriya Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas”, the two-day national consultation aims to gather inputs and insights from various stakeholders, including academic institutions, rubber farmers and processors, government agencies, and private sectors, to develop a comprehensive budget plan for PRRI’s activities and programs for the preparation of the FY 2025 Plan and Budget Proposals.

The second day kicked off with a presentation by Ms. Honey Fe G. Boje, Supervising Research Specialist of the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), on the draft output of the institute’s direction for research and development. Moderated by Mr. Jess Bryan M. Alvarino, the discussion focused on identifying the key issues, challenges, strategies, and collaborations that PRRI will be focusing on in the next years.

On the issue about implementing breeding programs, Dir. Claro N. Mingala expressed his suggestion to develop a policy that effectively utilizes molecular methods for crop products. He recommended utilizing the readiness of PRRI in using molecular techniques and checking with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to ensure that the clones and varieties are registered. However, he also expressed concerns about the cost of using these techniques. Therefore, he suggested that PRRI could submit proposals to funding agencies like the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO) and include a component for enhancing laboratory capacity within the institution.

During the last day of consultation, various ways forward were discussed, including the provision of planting materials and extension support and agricultural inputs, establishment of a budwood garden and nursery and regional clonal garden, techno transfer to improve production, provision of NCII trainings on rubber farming nationwide, conduct of training of trainers on improved technology, and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders on disease management. In her closing remarks, Ms. Honey Fe G. Boje, Supervising Research Specialist of the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in creating a dynamic rubber industry that not only meets the demands of the present but also anticipates challenges in the future.

The DA-BPO team attending the event includes Dr. Claro N. Mingala, Director of the Biotechnology Program Office; Dr. Saturnina Halos, Technical Committee Chair of Biotech Research for Development (BR4D) and President of Biotech Coalition of the Philippines (BCP); Erlyn Jane Garcia, Science Research Specialist II; Eajay San Miguel, Science Research Analyst; Karl Vincent Jose, Science Research Specialist II; and Neill Armand Padlan, Communications Officer.

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