BPI FSOU Cebu

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗚𝗔𝗣 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🍍

The BPI FSOU Cebu conducted inspections of twenty (20) pineapple farms on May 26–27, 2026, in Brgy. Minapasok, Municipality of Calatrava, Negros Occidental, as part of the evaluation for Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) Certification. All farms were found compliant with the prescribed PhilGAP standards and provisions, demonstrating adherence to food safety, produce quality, environmental management, and worker's health, safety and welfare.

The inspected farms are managed by members of the Ecogan Farmers Association (ECOFA) and the Calunogan, Victory, Taklaran Irrigators Association (CVTIA) in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava.

The BPI FSOU Cebu extends its sincere gratitude to the Department of Agriculture – Negros Island Region (DA-NIR), the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, and the Municipality of Calatrava for the successful collaboration and support in the conduct of the PhilGAP certification activities for pineapple farms in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.

𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑩𝑷𝑰 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆

May 25, 2026 – The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Plant Industry - Plant Product Safety Services Division (BPI-PPSSD), led the media launch of the country’s first Rice Quality Analyzer at the BPI Compound along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City, as part of the department’s continuing modernization initiatives under Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The initiative highlighted the DA’s broader effort to strengthen food safety, rice quality monitoring, and scientific-based inspection systems across the rice value chain. BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban presented the new technology designed for the fast and accurate assessment of both local and imported rice quality.

The media launch underscored the collaborative efforts of various agencies and stakeholders under the Department of Agriculture, including the National Food Authority (NFA), DA Inspectorate and Enforcement (DAIE), the National Rice Program, the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), together with private sector representatives and rice industry stakeholders. The initiative supports the implementation of Republic Act No. 12078 and strengthens compliance with Philippine National Standards through science-based rice quality assessment and monitoring.

In his opening message, Director Panganiban thanked the participating agencies, industry groups, and stakeholders for supporting the department’s efforts to strengthen rice quality regulations through modernization and innovation. He emphasized that the initiative forms part of the DA’s continuing push to improve food safety and food quality systems nationwide under the leadership of Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. He also expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the DA leadership for supporting modernization programs aimed at improving the country’s agricultural systems and services.

BPI-PPSSD Division Chief William Mugot said the agency plans to acquire additional units nationwide to further strengthen rice quality monitoring and laboratory capability. He explained that BPI continues to conduct food safety testing for both imported and locally produced rice, covering pesticide residues, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and microbial contamination. According to him, the newly procured equipment enhances these functions through rapid analysis of up to 14 rice quality parameters, allowing more objective and efficient testing procedures.

Mugot added that the Rice Quality Analyzer uses optical sensors to measure grain characteristics such as broken grains, chalkiness, grain length, and width, generating immediate results that help validate import declarations, particularly broken rice percentages used for tariff computation. He also noted that moisture analyzers and sample dividers support laboratory operations by ensuring accurate and repeatable testing procedures without immediately destroying rice samples. He further explained that statistical analysis and modeling help distinguish imported rice from locally produced rice through indicators such as broken grains, yellow rice rate, and moisture content, thereby strengthening monitoring and quality control systems for the rice industry.

During the open forum, Director Panganiban said the procurement of the equipment reflects the DA and BPI’s transition from manual inspection methods toward more scientific and objective processes. He noted that the system improves food safety testing, minimizes misdeclaration, and supports faster and more responsive inspection procedures while helping identify areas for rice quality improvement across regions.

Key officials from partner agencies and the rice sector attended the activity, including Assistant Director Ruel C. Gesmundo of BPI Regulatory Services, National Food Authority Administrator Larry Lacson, National Rice Program Deputy Program Director Ralph Alan Ceniza, General Edgar Alan Okubo, Food Terminal Inc. President Joseph Rudolph Lo, and DA Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement Willie Ann Angsiy. Representatives from the private sector also participated, including Rowena del Rosario-Sadicon of the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) and Raffy Herrera of the Philippine Rice Importers Association (PRIA), reflecting broad collaboration among government agencies and industry stakeholders in strengthening the country’s rice quality assurance systems.

Congratulations, BPI Guimaras!

BPI-Guimaras is now PhilGAP Certified!!!

𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐜 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐛-𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐆𝐀𝐏 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟕!

Malampuson nga PhilGAP inspection sa Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative

Ang unang group application sa Region 7 nga adunay 33 ka mag-uuma gikan sa Sudlon, Cebu City, nga gihimo gikan May 12–14, 2026 nahuman ug malampuson.

Na-inspect usab ang ilang packing facility nga nahimutang sa Parian, Cebu City aron masiguro ang kalidad ug kaluwasan sa ilang mga produkto.

Congratulations! Opisyal na nga PhilGAP Certified ang grupo — usa ka dakong kalampusan alang sa komunidad!

Daghang salamat sa Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VII Regulatory Division ug sa Cebu City Government sa malampusong kolaborasyon ug padayon nga suporta.

Padayon sa pagpalambo sa kalidad sa agrikultura ug paghatag og luwas nga pagkaon para sa tanan!

Congratulations to DA-BPI for being recommended for the PRIME-HRM Bronze Award! ✨