Breeders developing heat-resistant rice

TUGUEGARAO CITY (Mar. 28) — The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-Philrice) is developing a heat-resistant rice variety that can withstand higher temperature arising from climate change and still gives a satisfactory yield of four to five metric tons (MT) per hectare.

Norvie L. Manigbas, chief science research specialist at Philrice’s plant breeding and biotechnology division, said breeders’ objective is to find varieties that can grow well beyond 35 degrees centigrade while the optimal temperature for rice growing in the Philippines is between a much lower 20 to 35 degrees.

The discovery of heat resistant-rice varieties will be crucial especially as the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted that temperature will increase by 1.1 to 6.4 degrees during the next century, he noted.

The testings are done in Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Norte, and Los Banos, Laguna. The varieties will be tested yearly until perhaps the next six to seven years (using biotechnology techniques such as marker-assisted breeding). A desired variety can be developed normally over 10 years using traditional means.

DA-Philrice started testing 56 rice varieties identified heat tolerant last year. These varieties originate from warmer climate in Pakistan, Iran, and WARDA (West Africa Rice Development Association). # PIA Cagayan

Military officials implement anti-terrorism measure in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY (Mar. 27) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 17th Infantry Battalion based in Alcala, Cagayan fully implements the Anti-Terrorism bill despite great opposition from different activist groups.

This was the statement of Major Rodrigo Egipto, Executive Officer who also said they are now monitoring the recruitment activities of the CPP-NPA as the military undertake actions to clear the province from terrorism activities.

Egipto said they closely monitor the different high schools and colleges in the province to prevent youths to be recruited by the Communist Party of the Philippines. They also conduct symposiums in different high schools and colleges to educate and inform the students on the adverse effects of joining the activist groups.

Aside from these activities, the military continuously search for NPA forts in several areas especially in the municipalities of Baggao, Sta. Teresita, Sta. Ana and other NPA-infested areas. # PIA Cagayan