MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino and Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) listen as Dr. Emerlinda Roman (right), board of trustees chairperson of the International Rice Research Institute, updates them on IRRI’s various programs including joint initiatives with the Department of Agriculture, during the President’s visit in Los Baños, Laguna. The DA and IRRI renewed their partnership in December 2012 to ensure attainment of the country’s rice sufficiency and food security goals. It entails the conduct of a long-term breeding program to develop the next generation of high-yield, pest- and disease-resistant, climate change-resilient rice inbred and hybrid varieties. It also involves mapping of rice areas using GIS and remote sensing to get a better estimate of total production and obtain other relevant information.