Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

BPRE conducts search for outstanding PHSN member
by Erwin S. Embuscado (November 16, 2005)
The search for the outstanding Postharvest Specialists Network (PHSN) member is on. It is spearheaded by the Training and Extension Department (TED) of the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE).


Three winners will be selected nationwide (one per major island) and will be based on the following criteria: active concern and responsiveness (30%), resourcefulness (20%), productivity (20%), efficiency (15%) and integrity/credibility (15%). Said criteria are focused on postharvest concerns.


'BPRE identified all active members of PHSN as potential nominees from different Local Government Units (LGU's), Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Units (DA-RFU's) and other agencies. All the nominees are required to submit their detailed accomplishment on postharvest activities undertaken for the last two years', said Helen Calica, Supervising Science Research Specialist of BPRE.


The PHSN was established in 1994 to develop competent postharvest experts who will provide technical assistance to BPRE clientele and other clients at the grassroot's level. PHSN includes agricultural engineers, agriculturists, biologists, chemists, and others who obtained disciplines related to postharvest.


The members participate and attend different training courses conducted by BPRE to upgrade their knowledge and skills and to keep them attuned to the recent developments on postharvest and mechanization. In return, PHSN members are tapped as resource speakers to different training courses as well as in the monitoring and evaluation of postharvest related projects. They also provide technical assistance to ensure effective and efficient dissemination of postharvest information in their respective areas.


'After the submission of the detailed report by October 30, 2005, initial screening will be done followed by field assessment of the evaluators. The last stage is the final interview,' Calica added.