DA appoints 8 VSU professors as chairman and members of NSIC TWG

Honorable Proceso J. Alcala, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Chairman of the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC), issued a Special Order No. 236, series of 2013 appointing Members of the Technical Working Groups (TWG) of the National Seed Industry Council for Calendar Year 2013-2014.

Eight faculty members of the Visayas State University (VSU) have been identified as TWG members of NSIC. Dr. Dilberto O. Ferraren of PhilRootcrops was appointed as chairman of the Rootcrops TWG, together with Prof. Algerico M. Mariscal, Dr. Nestor L Pido, and Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, as members. Dr. Othello B. Capuno, on the other hand, was appointed as member of the Corn and Sorghum TWG, while Dr. Rosario A. Salas serves as member under the Vegetable Crops TWG. Dr. Ruben M. Gapasin also has a seat at the NSIC as member under the Fiber Crops TWG, and Prof. Elizabeth D. Briones acts as member under the Ornamental Crops TWG.

As members of the TWG, they are authorized to perform their functions, duties and responsibilities for a period of two years without prejudice of being reappointed.

As stipulated in the Republic Act No. 7308, otherwise known as the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992, the Council shall have the following duties, powers and functions:

1. to formulate policies that will stimulate plant breeding activities for the development of the genetic resources of the country in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
2. to encourage persons, associations, cooperatives and corporations engaged in genetic resources conservation, varietal development, production and processing, quality control, storage, marketing and distribution of seeds to adopt systems and practices which improve the quality of seeds for distribution to farmers;
3. to promote the establishment of infrastructures and other support services in priority areas geared toward the development of the seed industry;
4. to formulate a comprehensive medium and long-term national seed industry development program in order to achieve self-sufficiency in the supply of high quality seeds;
5. to grant awards, subsidies and other forms of assistance to seed or plant breeders who develop or are developing outstanding varieties or cultivars;
6. to formulate policies that will stimulate plant breeding activities; and
7. to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

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