National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory

We extend our gratitude to 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 (Partnership Lead, Crop Trust) for visiting our facilities and engaging with our researchers. This visit offered a valuable opportunity to showcase our conservation efforts and discuss how we can further align our research with global initiatives.

We value these ongoing and future partnerships that allow us to enhance our operations and ensure a climate-resilient agricultural future for all. Seeing our conservation efforts through the lens of global partnership inspires us to push the boundaries of plant genetic research.

We are proud to celebrate our Vegetables and Ornamentals Curator, 𝗠𝘀. 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗣. 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗼, for her recent recognition as the 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿.

As a dedicated researcher at the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (NPGRL), Ms. Gerlie is a steadfast champion of food security. Her scientific contributions has led to the registration of diverse crop varieties—including 𝘏𝘰𝘺𝘢, 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢, and adlay—bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and community livelihoods.

Beyond her research, she is a committed educator and resource person, developing vital IEC materials that bring modern agricultural knowledge to students and farmers nationwide. She is a true partner in progress, proving that agricultural extension is the key to a sustainable and food-secure future. 🌾👩‍🔬

Isang lisensyadong agriculturist at mananaliksik sa larangan ng plant breeding at plant genetic resources, si 𝐁𝐛. 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐏. 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐨 ay nangunguna sa pangangalaga at pagpapayabong ng yamang binhi ng bansa. Bilang Project Leader sa mga programang nakatuon sa konserbasyon, dokumentasyon, at paggamit ng germplasm sa National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (NPGRL), isinusulong niya ang mas matibay na pundasyon para sa food security at climate-resilient agriculture.

Kabilang siya sa mga siyentistang nakapagpaunlad at nakapagrehistro ng iba’t ibang crop varieties—mula sa ornamental tulad ng Hoya at Mussaenda hanggang sa adlay—na may potensyal na magbigay ng dagdag kabuhayan sa mga magsasaka at komunidad. Kasabay nito, aktibo rin siyang lumilikha ng mga Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials at nagsisilbing resource person sa iba’t ibang institusyon, magsasaka, at mag-aaral upang maipasa ang makabagong kaalaman sa agrikultura.

Bilang kinikilalang 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 ng Institute of Plant Breeding, patunay si Bb. Gerlie na ang kababaihan sa extension ay hindi lamang tagapaghatid ng kaalaman—kundi katuwang sa pagbabago, inobasyon, at pag-unlad ng buhay ng mga magsasaka.

Abante, Babae!

🌱 Maintaining a community based collection 🌱

Venelyn Bantal nurtured a collection of more than 70 rice local varieties of her T’boli tribe in Lake Sebu in the Philippines. However, in 2023, following attacks by rodents and birds, she was left with just ten. With support from the International Plant Treaty's Benefit-sharing Fund, Venelyn Bantal is restoring traditional rice varieties in Lake Sebu, recovering 23 varieties once lost to pests through farmer-to-farmer seed exchange.

Read her story➡️ https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/c57562d2-b094-429c-bf08-35f525d2c983/content =20
and learn more about our mission ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dPUPAkeU



Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) UN Women CGIAR Crop Trust Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Euroseeds World Vegetable Center World Farmers' Organisation Global Environment Facility Global Plant Council

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 🌾✨

From the meticulous work in our laboratories to the vibrant life in our fields, women have always been the steady heartbeat of Philippine agriculture.

Today, we honor the resilient women who transform our agricultural landscape. Whether they are preserving our precious genetic resources, developing climate-resilient crops, or leading farming communities toward sustainability, their contribution is immeasurable. At the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding and NPGRL, we see this strength every day in our researchers, scientists, and partners who prove that agriculture is a field where women lead with both precision and passion.

This , we salute the women who sow the seeds of progress and harvest the hope of a food-secure Philippines. 🇵🇭💪



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Concept:
Princess G. Santiago
John Jemcel A. Tolocotoc

Content and Design:
Princess G. Santiago
LHVillavicencio

Photo credits:
John Jemcel A. Tolocotoc

Models:
Kyla Fayne C. Madriaga, Jhaysica C. Cornesta, and Marienel G. Gabit

Support Staff:
BBBocad, SMHdeLoreto, JEJamon,HDAvellano, and JAMPotestades

Advisers:
HDdeChavez, GPAntesco, and ASCarpentero

Our NPGRL Seedbank recently served as a training ground for four Grade 12 STEM students from Los Baños Senior High School. Throughout their two-week immersion (January 26 to February 6, 2026), the students were trained in the technicalities of crop conservation, from seed processing to photodocumentation. More importantly, the experience taught them the value of teamwork and the 'why' behind scientific research.

By fostering a spirit of curiosity and discipline, we continue our commitment to developing the next generation of Filipino scientists.🇵🇭🌱

Three (3) STEM students from 𝗟𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 were deployed to the NPGRL Seedbank from January 12–30, 2026. During their internship, they gained hands-on experience in vital seedbank activities, including morphological characterization, seed processing, photodocumentation, and the conservation of annual crops.

Designed to bridge the gap between education and industry, the SHS Work Immersion Program immerses K–to–12 learners in real-world professional settings. This practical approach provides essential workplace familiarization and offers a platform for students to demonstrate their competencies within a live employment simulation.

At NPGRL, we are always happy to welcome and immerse the next generation of researchers and agriculturists in our daily operations. We aim to pass on our vital mission: conserving our nation's plant genetic resources to safeguard food security for years to come.

[𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊] Yesterday, Mr. Domingo Angelo Lopez, Special Assistant to UP President Angelo A. Jimenez, visited the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) and the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (NPGRL) to learn more about the institute’s research programs and national germplasm conservation efforts.

He was warmly welcomed by IPB Director Elmer E. Enicola together with the NPGRL staff, who showcased the facilities, ongoing projects, and the vital role of IPB and NPGRL in advancing crop improvement and safeguarding the country’s plant genetic resources.

Congratulations to 𝐌𝐬. 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐃. 𝐃𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐳 of the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory for being recognized as the 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐒 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 during the 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲, held on 06 March 2026 at Charles Fuller Baker Hall, UPLB.

A dedicated researcher in plant genetic resources conservation, Ms. de Chavez has made significant contributions to 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 in the Philippines. Through her leadership in nationally and internationally funded projects, scientific publications, crop diversity research, and community-based conservation initiatives, she has advanced efforts in safeguarding and promoting the sustainable use of indigenous and underutilized crops.

Among her notable achievements is spearheading the 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭, Norway and 𝐑𝐃𝐀 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭 in South Korea, strengthening the Philippines’ role in global agrobiodiversity conservation. Her work in 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 continues to empower farmers and support resilient agricultural systems.

This recognition celebrates her exemplary leadership, scientific contributions, and unwavering commitment to preserving the country’s plant genetic heritage for future generations.

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