Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has appointed a Muslim rice breeder and scientist from Maguindanao as the new executive director of Philippine Rice Research Institute.
Piñol said he signed the apppointment of Dr. Sailila Abdula as officer-in-charge/executive director of PhilRice last week. Abdula replaced Calixto Protacio.
Abdula, chief science research specialist and Gawad Saka Outstanding Agricultural Researcher awardee for Central Mindanao Region, is known for his achievements in rice science.
A native of Patadon, Kidapawan City and previously head of PhilRice Station in Midsayap, North Cotabato, Abdula is credited with the breeding and development of two new rice varieties – NSIC Rc120 and Rc226.
The new rice varieties, known to be pest-resistant, were developed by Abdula to address the ‘tungro’ rice disease in Southern Mindanao.
Abdula is also credited for breeding the ‘Sigue-Sigue’ rice variety whose performance is comparable to expensive hybrid seeds developed by multi-national and large seed companies.
Abdula, 43, finished his PhD in Agriculture at Chungbuk National University in Korea.
“When I publicly announced his appointment during the farmers’ forum in Kidapawan City last month, I also asked Dr. Abdula to institute reforms in the premiere rice research agency of the country,” Piñol said.
Piñol said he instructed Abdula to look into the presence and operation of PhilRice Foundation Inc., a private foundation whose members are both active and retired members of PhilRice, but is operating inside PhilRice’s premises and offices.
PhilRice Foundation allegedly uses the offices, facilities and even employees of PhilRice while receiving donations and grants for researches and programs which are independent of the PhilRice programs.
“Late last month, I ordered undersecretary Segfredo Serrano to investigate the operations of PhilRice Foundation Inc. after I received complaints that the PFI presence inside the PhilRice facility in Munoz, Nueva Ecija was not only unethical but also detrimental to the operations of the rice research body,” Piñol said.