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

NEWS STORIES

PHilMech readies for ASEAN integration
by Vladimir B. Caliguiran (May 27, 2015)
'Mechanization and Postharvest Technologies: PHilMech's Contribution to the ASEAN Economic Community,' is the theme for the 37th PHilMech anniversary and 16th Postharvest Loss Prevention Week Celebration.


The weeklong celebration was held on May 25-29 at the PHilMech headquarters in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.


An industry day held on May 27 was the highlight of the celebration. It was attended by farmer' organizations and agricultural technicians from different local government units in Nueva Ecija, RD&E partners, and former PHilMech executives.


PHilMech Director Rex Bingabing presented to the guests and visitors the commercialized and emerging technologies, and new projects of the agency which could help to achieving global competitiveness. These technologies were also in-display throughout the event.


He shared his guiding principle of doing research and development efforts, “short duration and high impact R&D.” Director Bingabing also presented PHilMech strategies on technology generation and transfer such as partnerships and cooperation, licensing of local manufacturers, and registration for intellectual property rights, among others.


These technologies and systems, according to Director Bingabing, will help the stakeholders to cope with the incoming ASEAN economic integration because these will increase competitiveness by reducing the cost of production and improving the quality of their produce.


Former Director Dr. Santiago Obien also stressed that our country is ready for the regional economic integration through the export quality produce and technologies.


PHilMech was mandated to 'generate, extend and commercialized appropriate and problem-oriented agriculture and fishery and postharvest mechanization technologies.'


The institution, first known as NAPHIRE, was created on May 24, 1978 through Presidential Decree 1380 to spearhead the development of the postharvest industry. In 1992, NAPHIRE was transformed into a regular agency of the Department of Agriculture through Executive Order (EO) 494 and renamed into Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE).


The agency became the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization in 2010 through EO 366 or the governments' rationalization plan.


Its mandate was further reinforced through the Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act of 1997 and Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Act of 2013.


Meanwhile, the observance of the Postharvest Loss Prevention Week every fourth week of May was started in 2000 through Proclamation 298.