29/05/2026
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May 25, 2026 โ The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Plant Industry - Plant Product Safety Services Division (BPI-PPSSD), led the media launch of the countryโs first Rice Quality Analyzer at the BPI Compound along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City, as part of the departmentโs continuing modernization initiatives under Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The initiative highlighted the DAโs broader effort to strengthen food safety, rice quality monitoring, and scientific-based inspection systems across the rice value chain. BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban presented the new technology designed for the fast and accurate assessment of both local and imported rice quality.
The media launch underscored the collaborative efforts of various agencies and stakeholders under the Department of Agriculture, including the National Food Authority (NFA), DA Inspectorate and Enforcement (DAIE), the National Rice Program, the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), together with private sector representatives and rice industry stakeholders. The initiative supports the implementation of Republic Act No. 12078 and strengthens compliance with Philippine National Standards through science-based rice quality assessment and monitoring.
In his opening message, Director Panganiban thanked the participating agencies, industry groups, and stakeholders for supporting the departmentโs efforts to strengthen rice quality regulations through modernization and innovation. He emphasized that the initiative forms part of the DAโs continuing push to improve food safety and food quality systems nationwide under the leadership of Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. He also expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the DA leadership for supporting modernization programs aimed at improving the countryโs agricultural systems and services.
BPI-PPSSD Division Chief William Mugot said the agency plans to acquire additional units nationwide to further strengthen rice quality monitoring and laboratory capability. He explained that BPI continues to conduct food safety testing for both imported and locally produced rice, covering pesticide residues, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and microbial contamination. According to him, the newly procured equipment enhances these functions through rapid analysis of up to 14 rice quality parameters, allowing more objective and efficient testing procedures.
Mugot added that the Rice Quality Analyzer uses optical sensors to measure grain characteristics such as broken grains, chalkiness, grain length, and width, generating immediate results that help validate import declarations, particularly broken rice percentages used for tariff computation. He also noted that moisture analyzers and sample dividers support laboratory operations by ensuring accurate and repeatable testing procedures without immediately destroying rice samples. He further explained that statistical analysis and modeling help distinguish imported rice from locally produced rice through indicators such as broken grains, yellow rice rate, and moisture content, thereby strengthening monitoring and quality control systems for the rice industry.
During the open forum, Director Panganiban said the procurement of the equipment reflects the DA and BPIโs transition from manual inspection methods toward more scientific and objective processes. He noted that the system improves food safety testing, minimizes misdeclaration, and supports faster and more responsive inspection procedures while helping identify areas for rice quality improvement across regions.
Key officials from partner agencies and the rice sector attended the activity, including Assistant Director Ruel C. Gesmundo of BPI Regulatory Services, National Food Authority Administrator Larry Lacson, National Rice Program Deputy Program Director Ralph Alan Ceniza, General Edgar Alan Okubo, Food Terminal Inc. President Joseph Rudolph Lo, and DA Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement Willie Ann Angsiy. Representatives from the private sector also participated, including Rowena del Rosario-Sadicon of the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) and Raffy Herrera of the Philippine Rice Importers Association (PRIA), reflecting broad collaboration among government agencies and industry stakeholders in strengthening the countryโs rice quality assurance systems.
