NEWSFLASH

RIZAL PARK RICE GARDEN PLANNED

Manila, July 12, 2000 - Rizal Park will soon be the site of a rice garden that will showcase to urban dwellers, the young and the old, and tourists how the country's most important crop is planted, nurtured, and produced.

Several agencies of government and a private foundation that seeks to promote rice culture have signed an agreement to put up the rice garden, Presidential Commission on the New Century and the Millennium (PCNCM) chairman Agriculture Secretary Edgardo Angara said.

The PCNCM is the lead agency of the project.

The other agencies are the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Philippine Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the National Parks Development Corporation (NPDC), and the Asia Rice Foundation (ARF).

Angara and Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta said that the rice garden is expected to help urban dwellers understand and appreciate the Philippine rice culture, "one of the most important and enduring facets of rural life."

Executive Director Santiago Obien signed for PhilRice, Executive Director Antonio Mercado signed for NPDC, Director Blo Umpar Adiong signed for BPI, and former University of the Philippines president Emil Javier signed for ARF.

The rice garden will occupy a 300-square meter lot at Rizal Park. Actual rice culture at various stages will be demonstrated in plots. Traditional and modern varieties will be planted.

Experts from the PhilRice will be stationed at the garden to explain the various stages and technologies involved in rice culture.

Guests who want special briefings on rice culture will also be attended to by experts.

The rice garden shall also display various tools and implements being used in the production and harvesting of rice.

There shall be regular seminars on rice culture to be conducted by the DA and the PhilRice.