Moro rice scientist is new PhilRice head

A Muslim Maguindanao rice breeder and scientist has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the country's rice research agency, the PhilRice.Last week, I signed the appointment of Dr. Sailila Abdula as Officer-in-Charge Executive Director of PhilRice. He replaced Dr. Calixto Protacio whose term has ended.Dr. Abdula, chief science research specialist and Gawad Saka Outstanding Agricultural Researcher awardee for Central Mindanao Region, is known for his achievements in rice science.A native of Patadon, Kidapawan City and previously head of the PhilRice Station in Midsayap, North Cotabato, Dr. Abdula is credited with the breeding and development of two new rice varieties - NSIC Rc120, and Rc226.The new rice varieties, known to be pest-resistant, were developed by Dr. Abdula to address the tungro rice disease in Southern Mindanao.He is also credited with breeding the Sigue-Sigue rice variety whose performance is comparable to the very expensive Hybrid seeds developed by multi-national and huge seeds companies.Dr. Abdula, 43, finished his PhD in Agriculture at Chungbuk National University, Korea.When I publicly announced his appointment during the farmers' forum in Kidapawan City last month, I also asked Dr. Abdula to institute reforms in the premiere rice research agency of the country.I specifically instructed him to look into the presence and operation of a foundation called the PhilRice Foundation, Inc., a private foundation whose members are both active and retired members of PhilRice but which is operating right inside the PhilRice premises and offices.PhilRice Foundation, Inc. uses the offices, facilities and even employees of PhilRice while at the same time receiving donations and grants for researches and programs which are independent of the PhilRice programs.Late last month, I ordered UnderSecretary Segfredo Serrano to investigate the operations of the PhilRice Foundation, Inc. after I received complaints that the PFI presence inside the PhilRice facility in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija was not only unethical but also detrimental to the operations of the rice research body.Dr. Abdula responded to my challenge with a commitment that he would do his best to reform PhilRice and to strengthen its contributions to the development of better rice farming technology for the Filipino farmers.