The Pioneer Hi-bred Philippines, Inc, one of the country's leading distributors of agricultural seed products, recently honored top 30 hybrid corn farmers and key figures in the biotech industry as it marks its 30th Anniversary.

The ceremony, attended by representatives from the government, academe, media, and the industry, highlighted the awarding of top 30 hybrid corn farmers of the Philippines, who gained high yield and productivity in adopting the hybrid corn technology. Edgar de la Luna, a farmer from Cauayan City, Isabela, bagged the top prize of the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Gawad Saka 2006. A hybrid corn planter for the last 25 years, Mr. Dela Luna reached an average yield of more than 10 mt/ha using Pioneer's hybrid 30Y80.

Also cited were key figures such as Sec. Domingo Panganiban, DA Secretary; Dr. Emil Q. Javier, National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST) President; Dr. Samuel C. Dalmacio, Plant Pathologist; and Dr. Ricardo Lantican, Profesor Emeritus, both of UP Los Baños (UPLB) for their outstanding contribution to corn hybridization in the Philippines.

Pioneer Hi-bred Phils. also paid tribute to scientists and development workers in the biotech community for their purposeful effort in introducing crop biotechnology in the country, through persistent information dissemination and prudent development and implementation of regulatory policies. Awardees in this category were: Ms. Sonny Tababa, network administrator, SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center; Ms. Merle Palacpac, chief, Plant Quarantine Services - Bureau of Plant Industry; Dr. Benigno Pecson, president, Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines; Dr. Nina Gloriani-Barzaga, professor of Medical Microbiology, UP Manila; Dr. Saturnina Halos, chairman, DA Biotechnology Advisory Team; Dr. Randy Hautea, global coordinator, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications; Hon. Claudius Barroso, mayor, Tampakan, South Cotabato; Dr. Rogelio Panlasigui, undersecretary for Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Dolores Ramirez, academician, NAST; and Dr. Evelyn Mae Mendoza, research professor and program leader of Plant biotechnology Program, Institute of Plant Breeding, UPLB.

In the realm of mass media, four agri-science journalists were also merited for their significant effort and unbiased presentation in promoting crop biotechnology, namely: Ms. Melody Aguiba and Mr. Zac Sarian, both from the Manila Bulletin; Mr. Angelo Palmones of DZMM, and Mr. Rudy Fernandez of the Philippine STAR.

Moreover, top community cooperatives and corn seed dealers were cited for their contribution to community development and success in promoting the adoption of the latest available technologies in hybrid corn production.

To meet the top 30 corn farmers, click here.

To view some photos during the awarding night, click here.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Sonny P. Tababa
Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: spt at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-7163
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-7162
URL: www.bic.searca.org