The Pest Management Council of the Philippines, Inc. (PMCP) is a federation of professional scientific societies and pesticide industry associations, namely: The Philippine Association of Entomologists, Inc. (PAE), The Philippine Phytopathological Society, Inc. (PPS), Weed Science Society of the Philippines (WSSP), Pest Control Association of the Philippines (PCAP), Crop Protection Inc.  Association of the Philippines (CPAP), and CropLife Philippines.

 Last July 14-15 the PMCP held its 54th Anniversary and Annual Conference with the theme “ Assimilating Scientific Advances and Innovative Regulations for an Adaptive and Resilient Pest Management Industry in Times of Pandemic”. The event was held through a virtual platform.

Pre-recorded messages from heads of institutions working closely with PMCP  sent their congratulatory messages. They are  Dr. Barbara L. Caoili, Director of the  National Crop Protection Center (NCPC), UPLB, CAFS, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr.,  Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Banos  (UPLB), Dr. Louie A. Divinagracia, National President, Philippine Association of Agriculturists (PAA), Dr. Wilfredo C. Roldan, Executive Director of the  Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority and  Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, Director, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS). Dr. Oscar Gutierrez, Jr., Director of the Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Ma. Cristina Guevara, former Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology, sent their regrets that they won’t be able to join and send their messages.   

The President of the PMCP, Ms. Claire Ramos, welcomed the participants, keynote and plenary speakers and sponsors. She hoped that everyone will bring home to their laboratories and places of work the new advances and technologies in pest management. She also encouraged them to form collaborations and networks for them to work together to develop resilient pest management strategies in challenging times like a pandemic.  The opening ceremony was highlighted by the Keynote Speech of  Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Director of the Philippine Council of Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research (DOST-PCAARRD). He reiterated the important areas that should be addressed in developing pest management strategies to be relevant and be able to address the current situation. First, the policies related to pest management should be periodically reviewed. Second, Science-based decision-making processes should also be updated. Third, the upgrading of human resources through further training in different disciplines related to pest management. Fourth, more investment for the improvement and further strengthening of research laboratories with adequate and appropriate infrastructure. Fifth, further encourage more efficient and active collaboration between and among agencies involved in agricultural research both from the public and private sector with sufficient funding support from the government. Lastly, providing an enabling environment to facilitate a science-based evaluation of new and emerging pest control products and technologies.

Each of the society and member associations invited speakers for the plenary session who shared the advances and new discoveries in their field of expertise.

● PAE: Dr. David Ian Shapiro-Ilan, Research Entomologist and Lead Scientist (GS-5) of the USDA Agricultural Research Service-SEFTRL discussed his research on   “Enhancing the Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Microbial Control Programs”.

● WSSP : Dr. Mithila Jugulam Professor of Weed Physiology, Kansas State University presented  her paper  on “Herbicide Resistance- Current  Knowledge and Understanding”

● PPS: Ms. Maria Lorelei U. Agbagala, Assistant Scientist of the Department of Science and Technology, discussed the “Philippine Biosafety Regulatory Framework”.

● CropLife: Executive Director Wilfredo C. Roldan of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, presented his and the FPA’s accomplishments during his term of office from 2016-2022 in his paper entitled “5 Year Governance  in The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority”.  

● PCAP: Dr. Ramon Lorenzo Luis Rosa “Renzo” Guinto, Associate Professor of the Practice of Global Public Health and Inaugural Director , Planetary and Global Health Program, St. Lukes Medical Center College of Medicine, presented his paper entitled “ Planetary Health: A New Paradigm For the Era of COVID 19 and Climate Change”.

● CPAP : Mr. Reynaldo Doria, Managing Director of Dole Philippines   presented “The DOLE 6 Promises in Delivering Sunshine For All”.

The concurrent scientific paper and poster  sessions started right after the last plenary speaker and resumed on the second day. Each society  had breakout rooms were the prerecorded scientific paper presentations were presented.   Poster sessions  in Entomology and Plant Pathology were held in the poster room. 

The closing ceremony started after the scientific paper sessions.  The PMCP president delivered the opening remarks hoping that the scientific discussions and exchanges during the virtual conference brought forth creative ways and innovations in solving pest management problems despite health, socio-economic predicaments and challenges.  

The keynote speaker, Dr. Divina M. Amalin,  of  the Department of Biology, Biological Control Research Unit (BCRU) Center  for Natural Science and Environmental Research (CENSER) of the De La Salle University  presented her keynote speech entitled , “Onshore-Offshore Biological Control of Native Invasive Species”. She emphasized the importance of having a science-based program to address the threat from invasive pest species which should have an infrastructure prepared and designed to support efforts to prevent introduction of invasive pest species. She also reported the discovery of a  primary parasitoid Comperiella calaunica of the coconut scale insect.

The induction of the  new set of officers and board members of each society was administered by the current president of the society. While that of the incoming  PMCP Officers was administered by the PMCP President, Ms. Claire S. Ramos in behalf of Dr. Divina M. Amalin.

The PMCP-Leads Agri Best Undergraduate Thesis Award was awarded to the following:

            ● PAE:              Ms. Apel Jae Nayam-an Clemente

                                      Adviser: Dr. Karen B. Alviar

Thesis Title: “In silico  analysis of  the Interaction of Syntaxin- 18 A Putative Rcepro Peregrinus maides Ashmead ( Hemiptera: Delphacidae)  With Maize Mosaic Virus  Glycoprotein’’

            ● WSSP:            Ms. Eden Faith V. Dimas

                                    Adviser: Dr. Mary Joy M. Abit

            Thesis title: “A Weed Survey in Low and High Elevation Vegetable Production Areas in Ormoc City”

The awardees for each society were presented and citations of their awards were read.

            ●PAE: Dr. Cecilia P. Reyes, 2022 Leopoldo B. Uichanco Outstanding Entomologist 

                        Dr. Gaudencia A. Lantican, 2022 Feliciano B. Calora Oustanding Entomologist

                          Mr. Romeo R. Patano, 2022 Stephen G. Reyes Memorial Award

●PPS:   Dr. Filomena C. Sta. Cruz, 2022 Gerardo O. Ocfemia   Outstanding Plant Pathologist in -Instruction

Dr. Robert C. Kemerait, 2022 Gerardo O. Ocfemia Outstanding Plant Pathologist in Extension and Community Development

Dr. Marita S. Pinili, 2022 Gerardo O. Ocfemia Outstanding Plant Pathologist in Research

Best Paper and Best Posters awards were also given out by the different societies

● PAE: Best Poster “Predicting the Potential Distribution of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera                          frugiperda  J.E.Smith) In The Philippines Using Maximum Entropy”, Alliah Czarielle N. Manugo, Arnold R. Salvacion, Gideon Aries S. Burgonio, Melvin D. Ebuenga, and Ireneo B. Pangga

● PPS: Best Poster

First place: “PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE ROLE OF RHIZOSPHERIC AND ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI IN THE SUPPRESSION OF Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4 CAUSING FUSARIUM WILT IN CAVENDISH BANANA”, Giean B. Bejuna, Romel J. Gallardo, Merahflor L. Cavite, Dennice G. Catambacan, Benny M. Corcolon, Euberto S. Catayas and Alex P. Cantil.

Second place: “DNA BARCODING OF GOLDEN CYST NEMATODES (Globodera rostochiensis) INFECTING POTATOES FROM BAUKO, MT. PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES”, Romnick A. Latina, Socorro L. Rulloda, John Vincent B. Cabusas, Emerald Flor A. Felicitas, Diwa B. Kingay and Nordalyn B. Pedroche

Third place: “IN SILICO SCREENING OF POTENTIAL PLANT-DERIVED INHIBITORS AGAINST G143A MUTATION IN Colletotrichum gloeosporioides CYTOCHROME B CONFERRING QOI FUNGICIDE RESISTANCE”, Benjamine William P. Cordez, Cris Q. Cortaga, Fe M. Dela Cueva

Best Paper: “Management of Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense) of Cavendish Banana Through The Use of Trichodema harzianum In The Context of Ingtegrated Disease Management: Selected Farmers’ Experiences”. Marilou N. Infante, Fe Simbahon and Joeteddy B. Bugarin.

Best Paper: “Genetic Basis of Pathogen Establishment and Fungicide Resistance of Phylogenetically Related Pseudocercosporsa spp.  Through Comparative Genomics”, Katrina Balaga, JD Rey and Leilani S. Dacones.

The PMCP Pest Management Awardee in Research for 2022 was given to Dr. Mark Angelo O. Balendres of the Plant Pathology Laboratory , Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science University of the Philippines Los Banos. There were no awardees in the other categories.

The PMCP - Corteva Empowering Women in Agriculture Award was given to Dr. Aurea C. Roxas, from Central Luzon.

The incoming PMCP President, Mr. Narendra Sagrolikar, presented the certificate of appreciation to Ms. Claire S. Ramos. In her response, Ms. Ramos thanked all the participants, sponsors  and members. She also enumerated the different accomplishments and activities during the year among them were:

●  Joined in the discussions on the DOST-DA-DENR-DOH- DILG Joint Department Circular #1

● Plant Doctor’s on Wheels was held in Majayjay,Laguna with  Sci. Lolita M. Dolores and the Philippine Phytopathological Society coordinating the event this year. One hundred participants joined the event organized with Municipal Agricultural Office of Majayjay, Laguna

● Approval of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority under Exec. Dir. Wilfredo C. Roldan, that attendance to the conference is equivalent to attendance to a symposium which is a requirement to the renewal of licenses and regulations

●  The PRC CPDAS  accredited 8 CPD points to those attending the conference

●  In this year’s conference, there were 414 participants from the academe, research institutions, industry, plantations, DA regional offices and the sponsors

● There were 3 gold sponsors,4  exhibitors,  9 advertisers and 1 ticket sponsor to the event

The closing remarks was delivered by Mr. Narendra Sagrolikar of Indophil, who willingly accepted his responsibility as the incoming PMCP President for 2022-2023.