UPLB National Crop Protection Center

08/10/2026

06/10/2026

From September 29 to October 2, students from 10 laboratory sections of AGRI 42 visited the National Crop Protection Center for an immersive learning experience on crop protection.

During the visit, students explored various biological control agents, including 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢, earwigs, and entomopathogenic fungi. They also had the opportunity to learn about the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) and the biological control agents used against it.

AGRI 42 is a pest management course offered by the UPLB CAFS Institute of W**d Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology.

01/10/2026

In partnership with the San Pablo Colleges Medical Center, the National Crop Protection Center successfully conducted its second blood donation drive for 2026 on September 30.

Thank you very much to all donors who answered the call to 𝑩𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆!

28/09/2026

2 DAYS TO GO!

Be a lifeline for those in need at the upcoming NCPC Blood Donation Drive. Sign up at https://bit.ly/NCPCBloodDonation2026.

Make sure to take note of these important reminders before your donation.

See you there!

25/09/2026

On September 24, the National Crop Protection Center took part in the CAFS Family Day, bringing "Peryahan sa CAFS" to life with its perya-inspired booth featuring a pest management twist. 🐛

Through the event, the personnel of NCPC and CAFS units enjoyed an afternoon of food, games, and great company. 🎪

25/09/2026

Don't miss us! Visit the NCPC booth until today, September 25, at the UPLB Science and Technology (S&T) Park for 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

The event brings together researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, farmers, students, and industry partners to explore solutions for climate-resilient and inclusive agri-food systems.

24/09/2026

The National Crop Protection Center proudly congratulates Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. on his reappointment as Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Padayon, Chancellor Camacho! 🌻

24/09/2026

15/09/2026

The mass production of biological control agents at the UPLB La Granja Research and Training Station(LGRTS), La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, was initiated on September 9 as part of efforts to strengthen biological control strategies against RSSI.

A new screenhouse dedicated to the mass production of Coccophagus sp., a parasitoid that targets red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), was established under the project “Development of a Community-Based Biological Control Production System for the Sustainable Management of Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Hemiptera: Coccidae), in Sugarcane,” led by Dr. Michelle S. Guerrero, NCPC Deputy Director. The project was funded by SVH Farms and implemented by the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) in partnership with UPLB LGRTS. The facility was intended to serve as a production facility for Coccophagus, a beneficial wasp that can parasitize RSSI infesting sugarcane fields. During the official launching of the screenhouse, the first batch of adult Coccophagus sp. parasitoids were released into the facility. In addition, RSSI-containing Coccophagus sp. pupae were clipped onto infested sugarcane plants inside the screenhouse to allow parasitoid emergence and establishment.

Aside from Coccophagus, NCPC also provided Euborellia annulipes, commonly known as earwigs, to UPLB LGRTS for mass production. Earwigs are considered beneficial insects that prey on various insect pests. At NCPC, Randolph N. Candano, a university researcher, spearheads the mass production of earwigs, while Dr. Guerrero leads the mass production of Coccophagus.

Among those present at the launching were project study leaders, including NCPC Director Dr. Barbara L. Caoili, Dr. Guerrero, Randolph N. Candano, Romalene L. Miras, Mary Joy M. Lapitan, and Dr. Emmanuel Samson, Station Manager of UPLB LGRTS.

The establishment of mass production facilities for biological control agents underscores NCPC’s ongoing efforts, in partnership with SVH Farms and UPLB LGRTS, to develop and promote science-based, sustainable pest management technology that benefits sugarcane farmers and safeguards sugarcane production.

14/09/2026

Over 200 farmers, crop protection specialists, agricultural officers and technicians, and local government representatives attended the “Farmers’ Orientation on Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) and Its Management” held on September 8 at the City Cooperative and Manpower Development Office (CCDMO) Hall, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

The event brought together sugarcane farmers across the 3rd District of Negros Oriental, including the municipalities of Bacong, Basay, Dauin, Santa Catalina, Siaton, Valencia, and Zamboanguita. The orientation aimed to strengthen farmers’ knowledge and understanding of the RSSI, its impact on sugarcane production, and integrated pest management for RSSI based on the Prevention, Avoidance, Monitoring, and Suppression (PAMS) approach.

Organized by Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Congresswoman Janice R. Degamo, the event featured presentations on the status of RSSI infestation in sugarcane fields in the 3rd District of Negros Oriental, research initiatives of the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC), the biology and biological control of RSSI, and monitoring and assessment of RSSI populations. Participants also learned about its bridging hosts, chemical interventions, and proper insecticide application for RSSI management.

Speakers from the NCPC and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) shared their expertise throughout the orientation. Among the resource persons were Anabelle P. Guarin, Mill District Officer of SRA Bayawan; Dr. Barbara L. Caoili, NCPC Director; Dr. Michelle S. Guerrero, NCPC Deputy Director and University Researcher; Randolph N. Candano, NCPC University Researcher; Romalene L. Miras, NCPC University Extension Specialist; Arcangel P. Cueto, Agricultural Technician; and Mary Joy M. Lapitan, NCPC University Researcher.

The program also covered major sugarcane diseases to help farmers distinguish disease symptoms from those caused by RSSI, facilitating proper identification and management. In the final presentation, Dr. Caoili presented the PAMS-based integrated pest management for RSSI.

Aside from Congresswoman Janice Degamo, the event was graced by Bernard R. Limbaga, Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer and Provincial Head of the Department of Agriculture's Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) in Negros Oriental, and Emmanuel A. Caduyac, Provincial Agriculturist in Negros Oriental.

The NCPC team, joined by representatives from SRA, DA-PATCO, and the Provincial Agriculture Office, conducted a field visit to a sugarcane farm in Negros Oriental affected by RSSI infestation.

Before the orientation, the NCPC team, together with former NCPC Director Dr. Susan May Calumpang, paid a courtesy call on Board Member Woodrow S. Maquiling Sr., Chairman of the Committee on Human Resource Management and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, to discuss the planned activities and interventions.