By Freddie G. Lazaro
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has appointed seven tobacco technical experts from the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) as members of one of the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) of the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC).
In a Special-Order No. 61, series of 2025, issued by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on January 10, 2025, the following NTA technical experts were selected as NSIC – TWG members for the Tobacco Varietal Improvement Group: Engineer Juanito M. Maloom – Manager of the Farm Technology and Services Department (FTSD), as Chairperson; Dr. Giovanni B. Palabay – Manager of NTA La Union, as Coordinator; and Engineers Randy I. Abella – Manager of the NTA – Ilocos Norte, Warlie V. Oribello of NTA La Union and Gay Anne B. Ronduen of FTSD; Evangeline Cabigan of FTSD; and Christopher D. Queddeng of NTA – Isabela, all as members.
Two tobacco specialists from the private sector, namely, Reynaldo C. Bagaoisan of Trans-Manila Inc., La Union, and Adelaida P. Teneza of Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc., were also included as TWG members.
The NTA technical experts will join other appointees from universities, government agencies, and private sectors, representing the 11 TWGs of NSIC.
These TWGs include: Corn and Sorghum Varietal Improvement Group, Ornamental and Medicinal Varietal Improvement Group, Field Legumes Varietal Improvement Group, Fruit and Plantation Crops Varietal Improvement Group, Tobacco Varietal Improvement Group, Rice Varietal Improvement Group, Vegetable Varietal Improvement Group, Rootcrops Varietal Improvement Group; Seed Certification and Seed Standard Group; Seed Extension, Promotion and Marketing Group; and Seed Production, Processing, Storage and Distribution Group.
The Technical Secretariats, composed of the heads of the TWGs, are responsible for setting seed standards and formulating systems and procedures for varietal identification, evaluation, nomination, review, and approval for registration, commercial release, or discontinuation of crop cultivars or varieties in the National Agricultural Crop Production and Development Program. The secretariat will also recommend policies, rules, and regulations for the development and institutionalization of crop varietal evaluation and release to the council.
The newly-appointed TWG members will serve a two-year term. Under Republic Act 7308, or the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992, it mandates to promote and develop the seed industry in the country by establishing an NSIC, encouraging private sector involvement in seed research and production, and protecting the local seed industry from unfair competition with imported seeds; essentially aiming to conserve and develop the nation’s plant genetic resources.
Meanwhile, tobacco is one of the country’s high-value commercial crops that continuously improves its varieties for higher yields and high-quality leaf production.