This document summarizes the establishment and history of key institutions at the University of the Philippines Los Baños from the 1960s. It describes the founding of SEARCA as a graduate institution for agriculture alongside UPCA in 1966. It also covers the creation of the UPLB Graduate School in 1968 to oversee graduate education. The document highlights several UPLB faculty who received national awards for their breakthrough research during this period.

2. Biological Sciences
building
Agronomy, Soil Science
and Horticulture building
UPCA Auditorium,
now D.L. Umali Hall
UPCA Student Union, now UPLB Student Union
152

3. UPCA Agricultural Engineering building, now a building
of the UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-industrial
Technology (CEAT)
Women’s Dormitory
UPCA Infirmary, now
the UPLB Health Services
UPCA Physical Sciences building,
now belonging to the College of Arts
and Sciences
153

4. Establishment of the Southeast Asian Regional
Center for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture (SEARCA)
I n May 1966, the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education
proposed several regional projects to USAID, one of which was the
2006, a total of 409 MS and PhD degree students from Southeast Asian
countries have graduated from UPLB through SEARCA
establishment of an institute of graduate study and research in scholarships. Most of them occupy leadership positions in their
agriculture, possibly at Los Baños.17 This gave birth to the Southeast countries.
Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture or SEARCA. Thus, SEARCA was born as a close SEARCA also offered various short-training courses in
partner of UPCA, with support from USAID. Dean Umali was agriculture, particularly in the areas of research management,
elected concurrent SEARCA Director, and Dr. Gil F. Saguiguit, agribusiness, and regional planning in agriculture and rural
Assistant Director on full-time basis.7, 15 development. Research projects on water resource management,
high protein crops, biodiversity and natural resource conservation
Graduate education program for MS and PhD degrees in various were also undertaken.15 A project on “Social Laboratory” headed
disciplines of agriculture became the core activity of SEARCA, starting by a visiting professor from Taiwan (Dr. Chi-wen Chang) became
with 13 scholars from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.11 As of an eye-opener in agricultural extension and community development.15
Facade of SEARCA main building
154

5. SEARCA MS/PhD scholars at UPLB from different countries
Library built by SEARCA in 1974, and later donated to UPLB
DIRECTORS OF SEARCA
THROUGH THE YEARS
Dr. Dioscoro L. Umali Dr. Jose D. Drilon Dr. Joseph C. Madamba Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo
(1967-1971) (1972-1981) (1981-1983) (1984-1987)
Dr. Arturo A. Gomez Dr. Percy E. Sajise Dr. Ruben L. Villareal Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan
(1988-1993) (1994-1999) (2000-2002) (2003-present)
155

6. Creation of the UPLB Graduate School
U
GRADUATE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
AND DEANS THROUGH THE YEARS
mali separated the management of the Graduate Program
from the Office of the Director of Instruction of UPCA by creating
the Office of Graduate Studies and designating Dr. Fernando A.
Bernardo as Director of Graduate Studies in 1968.
To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of graduate
education management in UPLB, Bernardo accomplished the
following:11, 14
• Streamlined the graduate school admission procedures and Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo Dr. Faustino T. Orillo Dr. Obdulia F. Sison
Director Dean Acting Dean
filing system (1970-1973) (1973-1979) (1978-1979)
• Required the creation of Advisory/Guidance Committee
for each graduate student, and relaxed the foreign
language requirement
• Developed the Graduate Faculty Code which the Graduate
Faculty approved
• Published the “Graduate Catalogue”
• Initiated the publication of “Abstract Bibliography of MS
and PhD Theses”
Dr. Dolores A. Ramirez Dr. Noel G. Mamicpic Dr. Gil G. Divinagracia
Dean Dean Dean
The number of graduate students rapidly increased from 70 in (1979-1989) (1989-1992) (1992-1995)
1960 to about 270 in 1963, and almost 450, with over 70 foreign
graduate students, in 1970.11
On the other hand, the number of Graduate Faculty increased
from 58 in 1963 to 188 in 1970. Seventy-one with MS degrees
were not yet members of the Graduate Faculty in 1970.18
Dr. Ann Inez N. Gironella Dr. Rita P. Laude
Dean Dean
(1995-1998) (1998-2003)
Dr. Evamarie P. Capareda Dr. Ernesto V. Carpio
Dean Dean
(2003-2005) (2005-present)
The UPLB Graduate School
156

7. Breakthroughs in Research and National Awards
P rofessor Jose Deanon, in 1963, gained the distinct honor of
being the first UPCA alumnus to win the Ten Outstanding Young
TEN OUTSTANDING YOUNG
MEN (TOYM) AWARDEES AND
OTHER HONOREES DURING
Men (TOYM) of the Philippines award given by the Philippine
Junior Chamber of Commerce (JAYCEE). Deanon was honored UMALI’S TERM
with the TOYM award because of his outstanding work in agricultural
extension, particularly the promotion of bush sitao, an early maturing, Jose Deanon
high-yielding dwarf variety of string beans that did not need trellises TOYM-Horticulture (1963)
to grow. Dr. Ricardo M. Lantican also won the coveted TOYM
award in 1968 for producing outstanding varieties of peanut,
mungbean and soybeans. Dr. Edwin G. Wagelie who pioneered in
massive buffalo semen freezing and artificial insemination also received
the TOYM award in 1969.7 These were just three examples of the
faculty’s outstanding achievements in research and extension that
merited the TOYM award.
Dr. Pedro B. Escuro received the Pro Patria Award from Fernando A. Bernardo Feliciano B. Calora Ricardo M. Lantican
President Ferdinand Marcos for developing C-4, a high-yielding, TOYM-Genetics (1966) TOYM-Entomology (1967) TOYM-Plant Breeding (1968)
good quality rice variety that played a key role in the Green Revolution.
Many outstanding research outputs of UPCA in the 1960s
were disseminated to farmers and end-users.
High-yielding variety of potato
Photo below shows large and plump
tubers of a Gineke variety (right) Edwin G. Wagelie Gelia T. Castillo Pedro B. Escuro
harvested in Los Baños as compared TOYM-Animal Breeding TOYW-Rural Sociology Pro Patria Award
with two other varieties. (1969) (1968) Rice Breeding (1969)
Immersion of bananas in mycostatin solution prevents rotting and
delays ripening for 25 days. Photo shows plant pathologists examining
bananas treated with mycostatin.
157

8. Two tomato lines (VC48-1 and VC11-1)
proved to be resistant to bacterial wilt,
early maturing, resistant to heat, and
yield 10 to 15 tons/hectare. Laguna Governor F. San Luis and College officials touring fields planted to Bush sitao in Linga,
Pila, Laguna. From left to right: Romeo Dizon, Dr. H. von Oppenfeld, Dean D. L. Umali, farm owner
Manuel San Mateo, Gov. San Luis and A.F. Ventura.
UPCA at the Helm of the National Rice and
Corn Program: The Country Exported Rice
for the First Time in History
U mali’s appointment as Undersecretary of the Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) in May 1966, a
Umali assigned Dr.
Virgilio R. Carangal as DANR’s
position he held concurrently as Dean, reinforced the ties between Director of the Intensified
UPCA on one hand and DANR and the President’s Office on the Corn Production Program.10
other.16, 17 As DANR Undersecretary, Umali became more effective Carangal promoted the use of
in redirecting and coordinating agricultural development programs synthetic varieties (UPCA Var
in the country. He organized the Rice and Corn Production 2, 3 and 4 which yielded 12-
Coordinating Council (RCPCC), a multi-agency organization with 13% more than the hybrid
representatives from banks and the private sector, including seed check) and downy-mildew-
producers. resistant varieties (DMR 1, 2,
and 5).17 As a consequence,
The cooperative rice production program under Umali used corn production in the Dr. Virgilio R. Carangal
Director, Intensified Corn
modern rice varieties (IR8, C4-63 and BPI-76) and promoted Philippines doubled.
Producrion Program
judicious use of fertilizers. Applied rice research and extension
mini-kits were launched by the College in cooperation with DANR But Umali’s outstanding services to the Philippines had to come
and IRRI. All this dramatically increased rice production, and for to an end in 1970, as the Director General of FAO of United
the first time in history, the Philippines became self-sufficient in rice in Nations courted him to accept the position of FAO Assistant
1968, and exported rice in 1969. Director General for Asia and the Pacific.
158

9. Legend
1. UPCA Administration 19. Baker Memorial Hall 37. UPCO Staff Housing
2. Department of Agricultural Information & Communication (DAIC) 20. Department of Agricultural Engineering 38. UPCA Staff Housing
3. Agricultural Credit & Cooperatives Institute 21. Physical Plant Services 39. SEARCA Staff Housing
4. Department of Agricultural Economics 22. Department of Agronomy (old building) 40. IRRI
5. Department of Agricultural Education 23. Agronomy & Soil Science Departments 41. Forestry Administration
6. UPCA Biological Sciences 24. Department of Food Science and Technology 42. Wood Science
7. UPCA Library 25. Department of Animal Husbandry 43. Wood Technology
8. Old Administration 26. Division of Dairy Husbandry 44. Forestry Information
9. PACD Community Training Center 27. Dairy Training & Research Institute (DTRI) 45. Forestry Dormitories
10. International House 28. Division of Poultry Science 46. Forestry Staff Housing
11. UPCA Physical Sciences 29. Continuing Education Center 47. Forest Products & Research Institute
12. Department of Agricultural Chemistry (old building) 30. Men’s Dormitories 48. Makiling Botanic Garden
13. Department of Agricultural Engineering (old building) 31. Women’s Dormitories
14. Rural High School 32. SEARCA Dormitory
15. Makiling School 33. ROTC
16. Department of Home Technology 34. UPLB Infirmary
17. UPCA Auditorium 35. College Country Club
18. UPCA Student Union 36. IRRI Staff Housing
159

10. Students held rallies and demonstrations against the establishment

11. 11
Chapter
Years of
Instability
1970-1972
Bulatlat.com

12. I n January 1970, Dr. Umali resigned as Dean and
recommended the appointment of Dr. Faustino T. Orillo,
In June 1971, Dr. Umali took a leave of absence
to prepare for the position of Assistant Director
Director of Research, as Dean of the College.10 Dr. General of FAO for Asia and the Far East, and FAO
Orillo obtained the BSA degree (magna cum laude) from Regional Representative. He then designated Dr.
UPCA in 1944, and the MS and PhD (Mycology) Domingo M. Lantican, UPCF Dean, as OIC of the
degrees from Harvard University. Office of Vice-President for UPLB.12
Proposed Phasing Out of Vice-President for UPLB
I n the July 29, 1971 meeting of the UP Board of Regents, Dean
Lantican’s designation as OIC of the Office of Vice-President for
the retention of the Office of Vice-President for Los Baños with a
long justification. He also asked for more time for his committee to
UPLB was not confirmed. “The Board designated Regent Abel L. submit a plan for granting greater autonomy to UPLB.
Silva (BSA ’36) as Chairman and the deans of the colleges of
agriculture and forestry as members of a Committee of the Board to After listening to Regent Silva’s report, the Board approved
look into the operations of the Los Baños units and to study the the interim appointment of Lantican as OIC of the Office of the
phasing out of the Office of the Vice-President for UP Los Baños.”1 Vice President, but deferred a decision on the retention of the Office
of Vice-President for UPLB.2
In the next BOR meeting (August 1971), Regent Silva
presented the initial report of his committee and strongly recommended
Proposed UPLB Development Plans for the 1970s
O n September 21, 1971, the Committee on Planning and
Development headed by Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo submitted to
The Committee also proposed the creation of positions for a
UPLB Director for Academic Programs, and in lieu of the Vice-
Dr. Lantican “UP at Los Baños: Development Goals and Plans President for UP at Los Baños, an Executive Vice-President for Los
for the Seventies.”18 Among the Committee’s recommendations Baños with sufficient authority over administrative and fiscal matters
were the establishment of: in a decentralized university management system.18
• A Center for Development Studies A year passed and things remained in limbo at UPLB because
• A Center for Environmental Research of the instability of the leadership structure and the uncertainty of the
• A College of Basic Sciences and Humanities with a few future under the current UP dispensation.
baccalaureate degree programs, but numerous graduate
programs in biological and physical sciences to harness
existing strengths (the presence of many PhD degree holders)
162

13. UPLB’s Movement for Independence
T he years 1970 to 1972 were unstable if not turbulent years
in the Philippines. Opposition against the current regime was gaining
A. Academic Problems
1. Disapproval of several curricular proposals from Los
strength. The New People’s Army (NPA) was very active, labor Baños that were within the operational areas of the
union strikes and student demonstrations in Manila and Diliman College of Arts and Sciences in Diliman.
were frequent. UPLB students staged a 13-day strike.11 They 2. The UPLB Graduate Faculty Code that UPCA and
barricaded the UPLB gate, and later on, also barricaded the UPCF faculties approved was denied approval in
national highway at Crossing, which created a very long traffic jam. UP Diliman because “it is better to have only one
They were demonstrating against many government policies and the Graduate Faculty Code for the whole UP.” But in
spiraling price of gasoline. truth, UP Diliman had no Graduate Faculty Code
Late in 1971, President Ferdinand E. Marcos suspended the and never had one.
writ of habeas corpus. Then on September 21, 1972, he declared
B. Administrative Problems
Martial Law. He abolished Congress and began issuing Letters of
1. Salary ranges for division chiefs, secretaries, clerks,
Instruction and Presidential Decrees which were respected by the
security guards, and janitors outside UP Diliman were
courts and law-enforcing bodies.
at least one range lower than those in Diliman.
The “Young Turks” in UPLB led by Dr. Bernardo saw the 2. Appointment papers involving salaries above P4,200/
opportunity for UPLB to secede from UP Diliman because of many year and applications for study leave, special
unfair and unjust treatments. Some of the issues were the following: 18 details, and travel abroad were still processed in
Diliman.
3. Purchases, repairs, and constructions worth more
than P10,000 were subject to approval in Diliman.
THEY SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF CREATING AN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
PATTERNED AFTER THOSE IN THE NETHERLANDS, JAPAN AND INDIA
Jose D. Drilon Arturo Tanco Onofre D. Corpuz
SEARCA Director DANR Secretary Chairman, Presidential Commission
to Survey Philippine Education
163

14. C. Fiscal Problems Because of all the above unfair treatments from UP Diliman,
1. UP Diliman taxed UPLB heavily. In 1969-70 alone, the UPLB activists drafted a Presidential Decree for seceding from
UP Diliman withheld a substantial part (P957,000) UP and converting UPLB units to an agricultural university with its
of UPLB’s budget although fully released by the own Board of Regents and President, similar to agricultural universities
Budget Commission through UP Diliman. in Holland, Japan and India that included agriculture, veterinary
medicine, forestry, fisheries, engineering, food science and technology,
2. UP imposed 15% overhead charge to 12 revolving and home economics.
funds in Los Baños, although such funds do not entail
overhead costs to central administration in Diliman. J. D. Drilon, Director of SEARCA, and Arturo Tanco,
In 1969-71 alone, P179,086 from gross receipts of Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
revolving funds of UPCA and DTRI went to UP (DANR), supported the idea of creating an agricultural university.
central administration. The draft PD was sent to President Marcos on October 14, 1972.
Lopez Maneuvers to Keep UPLB Under UP
S. P. Lopez, President of UP, strongly objected to the secession
of UPLB from UP. Long letters of arguments were sent to President
But S. P. Lopez was a smart diplomat. He did the following:
• Announced to all and sundry his plan of granting UP Los
Marcos. Regent Silva had counter arguments sent to Education Baños autonomy, with its own Chancellor, following the
Secretary and UP Board of Regents Chairman Juan Manuel. In his California university system model 16
letter, Silva mentioned that Dr. O. D. Corpuz, Chairman of the • Discussed the matter with Secretary Tangco, and offered
Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Education (PCSPE), to make the Secretary of Agriculture a member of the UP
supported the idea of creating an agricultural university which, Board of Regents 3
according to Corpuz, “could help achieve the goals of the New • Held a series of meetings with UPLB administrators – mi-
Society in agrarian reform and in agricultural and rural development.” nus the young activists – to convince them to accept the
adoption of the California university system model which,
Silva batted for UPLB as “a separate university – whatever is in effect, would transform UP into a University of the
the name – with a separate Board of Regents so that it can be given Philippines System with autonomous campuses 13, 14
the freedom to grow and chart its course in accordance with the
pressing needs of a developing country.”14
164

15. Bernardo, as Secretary of Silva’s Committee, conducted an On November 16, 1972, the Abel Silva Committee submitted
opinion survey of Los Baños faculty members on different alternatives its final report to the UP Board of Regents. The bottom line was a
relative to the future of UPLB. It turned out that there was very little recommendation for establishing UPLB with a separate President
support for complete independence with a separate Board of under a common Board of Regents (New York university system)
Regents. But 244 or 64.21% of the faculty voted for independence “not only because it is the choice of the faculty, but also because of
under regental jurisdiction like the New York university system, with its simplicity and inherent provisions for maximum autonomy.”14
UPLB keeping its name but with its own President under a common
UP Board of Regents. Some 112 or 29.47% of the faculty voted for
autonomy with a Chancellor as head under the UP President and the
UP Board of Regents.14
Abel L. Silva, member of the UP President Salvador P. Lopez
UP Board of Regents, fought provided a compromise (UPLB as
for UPLB’s independence under an autonomous campus) to thwart
a common Board of Regents UPLB’s movement for complete
independence from UP Diliman.
P.D. No. 58 Grants UPLB Full and
Complete Autonomy
O n November 20, 1972, President Marcos signed In the December 21, 1972 meeting of the Board, the BOR
Presidential Decree No. 58 “Constituting the University of the Resolution on the University of the Philippines System was taken
Philippines at Los Baños, granting it full and complete autonomy, up. The Resolution spelled out the power and authorities of the
and amending the Charter of the University of the Philippines.” Chancellor over administrative and fiscal matters. 3
P. D. No. 58 required the Board of Regents to “take appropriate The Board, in another meeting, approved the creation of a
steps to ensure that the establishment of the autonomous University College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, and the Graduate School
of the Philippines at Los Baños shall aim at the speedy realization of in UPLB effective the second semester of 1972-1973. 17
the goals above indicated.” P. D. No. 58 also reconstituted the
BOR to include as members the Undersecretary of Agriculture and
the Chancellor of the autonomous university. 3
165

16. Birth of the Philippine Council for
Agricultural Research (PCAR)
M artial Law was conducive to change for the better, and support from NSDB, DANR, and a Ford Foundation grant of
UPLB professors took advantage of the opportunity. Dr. Joseph C. $108,300, PCAR began undertaking a series of hectic activities:
Madamba and others, backed up by Secretary Tangco and NSDB • A series of seminar-workshops on research management
Chairman Medina, drafted a Presidential Decree for the consideration • Regional consultations on organizing networks of research
of the President. On November 10, 1972, President Marcos signed centers6
P. D. No. 48 Establishing the Philippine Council for Agricultural • Human resource development for national and regional
Research.4 research centers
• Scientific literature service linked with the Agricultural
Dr. Madamba was appointed PCAR Director General. Information Bank of Asia (AIBA) in SEARCA
Assisting him were Dr. F. A. Bernardo as Deputy Director General • Review of about 1,100 on-going research projects
for Programs and Operations and Mr. Francisco B. Tetangco as reported by various agencies. As a result of this evaluation
Deputy Director General for Station Development.5 process through the PCAR mechanism, PCAR saved the
Philippine Government P18.7 million in 1973.7 The
UPLB extended full support to PCAR, which was housed first Budget Commission was so impressed that it allocated
at the Student Union and later at the International House. With initial P5,000,000 for the construction of PCAR’s headquarters
at the Los Baños Economic Garden.
The Philippine Council for Agricultural Research headquarters at the BPI Economic Garden in Los Baños Victor Oro
166

17. PCAR later evolved to become the Philippine Council for • Human resource development through PCARRD
Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and scholarship grants for different members of regional R&D
Development (PCARRD). consortia. A recent assessment showed that this program
had graduated 776 MS and 214 PhD degree holders.
PCARRD, through the years, had numerous outstanding
achievements, which may be summarized as follows: Most of them graduated from UPLB.
UPLB’s important leadership role in the national R&D system
• Establishment of the National R&D Networks, and later may be gleaned from the following facts: 15
• Four out of five Chief Executive Officers of PCARRD
on, the Regional Consortia
were graduates of UPLB
• Development of R&D facilities particularly in key regional
• Of the 25 Pantas Awards for Research/Scientists, 17 or
consortia institutions with USAID grant funds for
68% were won by UPLB scientists
buildings and equipment. Beneficiaries included UPLB,
• Of 15 Los Baños Science Community (LBSC) S&T
CLSU, MMSU, BSU, ViSCA, CMU and USM.
Awards, 7 or 47% were earned by UPLB staff
• Strengthening of the Philippine Carabao Program with
• Of 13 M.S. Swaminathan Outstanding R&D Awards, 7
UNDP support, which led to the creation of the Philippine
or 55% were received by UPLB staff
Carabao Center
• Of 11 PARRFI R&D Awards, 6 or 55% were won by
• Establishment of the Forest Research Institute (FORI) and
the Forestry Biotechnology Laboratory UPLB researchers.
• Numerous PCARRD-funded researches that led to
research breakthroughs and widespread impact
Dr. Joseph C. Madamba, the first
Director General of PCAR. He
conceptualized and competently
organized the national agricultural
research system, for which he
received the TOYM award in 1973. To strengthen the National Research Network (NRN), the Association of
Colleges in Agriculture in the Philippines (ACAP) and PCAR agreed to merge
the eleven ACAP member-institutions with the NRN. Signing the Memorandum
of Agreement in October 1973 were (from left to right) Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo,
ACAP President and UPLB-CA Dean; Florencio Medina, NSDB Chairman; and
Dr. Joseph C. Madamba, PCAR Director General.
167

18. 1978 PCAR top officials with
Director General J. Drilon
at the center
PCAR/PCARRD DIRECTORS GENERAL/
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS THROUGH THE YEARS
Dr. Joseph C. Madamba Dr. Jose D. Drilon Dr. Ramon V. Valmayor Dr. Cledualdo B. Perez Dr. William C. Dar Dr. Patricio S. Faylon
(1972-1977) (1978-1981) (1981-1990) (1991-1994) (1994-1998) (1999-present)
168

19. The 1988 PCARRD Pantas Award won by Dr. Valentino
G. Argañosa for his outstanding contributions toward
the development of the swine industry.
The 2000 PCARRD Tanglaw Award won by the Bureau of The 1996 PCARRD Sinag Award won by the Ilocos Agriculture and
Soils and Water Management (BSWM) for its outstanding Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC) for
contributions in soil and water resource management. its outstanding technology promotion activities in mango, bamboo,
Shown above is Dr. Rogelio N. Concepcion, BSWM and cashew. Photo shows Dr. William Medrano, the ILARRDEC
Director, receiving the award. Coordinator (3rd from left), receiving the symbolic check for P1 million.
169

20. Institute of Plant Breeding

21. Giant Strides as an Autonomous
12
Chapter
University Under Samonte
1973-1978
F.A.Bernardo

22. D r. Abelardo Samonte, the UP Vice-President for Academic
Affairs, was appointed the first Chancellor of UP at Los Baños. Dr.
Samonte earned the AB (cum laude, 1952) and LlB degrees (1953)
from UP; the Master of Public Administration (1955) from Wayne
State University, the Master of Arts (1958) and the PhD (1959)
degrees from Princeton University. Not knowing anything about
agriculture and forestry, he reluctantly accepted the position of
Chancellor. Nonetheless, he tried his best to learn and lead UPLB in
its national development thrusts.
As the first autonomous campus of the University of the
Philippines, UPLB had adequate academic freedom but was
somewhat wanting in its administrative and fiscal autonomy: 13
• The Chancellor did not have the authority to approve
appointments higher than the rank of instructor; and
Dr. Abelardo Samonte • The Chancellor could enter into contracts for the
acquisition of properties and services only if the amount did
not exceed P50,000.
Most important is the fact that the UPLB Chancellor and the Undersecretary of Agriculture were members of
the UP Board of Regents to represent the interests of national agricultural and rural development. 13
Birth of the College of Basic Sciences and Humanities
T he UP Board of Regents, in its 828th meeting on
December 21, 1972 gave birth to this College. 13 Conceived in 1970
and born in 1972, this new College was by no means an infant
because all its seven departments – Humanities, Chemistry,
Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, Botany, Zoology, and Life
Sciences (genetics, microbiology, systematics, ecology, and
environmental management) – came from existing and strong units
or departments of the College of Agriculture. Of the original 154
faculty members from UPCA that transferred to the new College,
two were professors, six associate professors, 32 assistant professors,
111 instructors, and three assistant instructors. More than 25% had
the MS/PhD degrees, and many were pursuing graduate degrees in
UPLB and UP Diliman.17
On March 1, 1973, the Board appointed Dr. Edelwina Cu-
Legaspi – a humanist – as the first Dean of the new College. College of Basic Sciences and Humanities (1970s)
172

23. The new College inherited from UPCA the old centrally • Bachelor of Arts in Communication
located Library building as its headquarters, the huge three-storey • Learning Resource Center (LRC) that capitalized on
building of the Physical Sciences, and a large part of the third wing of resources of the Agricultural and Rural Development
the Biological Sciences building. Scholarship Program (ARDS).16 LRC offered campus-wide
tutorial classes and UPLB summer bridge program for
The new College that evolved in time to become the College incoming freshmen with weak preparations in English,
of Arts and Sciences initially put up many interesting programs under Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Dean Legaspi’s leadership: 17
Later, the College offered many undergraduate and graduate
• The Integrated Academic Programs in the Sciences (MS/MA and PhD) degree programs, and ultimately attracted large
(INTAPS), an honors program that enabled scholars to enrolments in UPLB, most especially in the BS Biology course, BS
get a baccalauriat degree a year earlier than the prescribed Computer Science, and BA Communication Arts.
period of four years
• Offering of two special courses for all students: Science COLLEGE OF BASIC
Orientation I and Science Orientation II SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES/ARTS AND
SCIENCES DEANS THROUGH THE YEARS
Physical Sciences building of the College of Basic Sciences and Humanities
Dr. Edelwina C. Legaspi Dr. Percy E. Sajise
(1972-1982) (1982-1984)
(1985-1991)
Dr. Carlito Barril Dr. Pacifico C. Payawal
(1991-1994) (1994-2000)
F.A.Bernardo
Dr. Corazon B. Lamug Dr. Asuncion K. Raymundo
(2000-2006) (2006-present)
173

24. Reorganization and Strengthening of
Growth Points in UPLB
•
T
BS Nutrition that attracted many undergraduate students
• BS Human Ecology with majors in Family Development,
Human Settlements and Planning, and Social Technology
he huge College of Agriculture had several big departments, • MS Family Resource Management
three of which were identified by Chancellor Samonte as potential • MS Applied Nutrition
growth points:
1. Human Ecology INSTITUTE/COLLEGE OF HUMAN ECOLOGY
DEANS THROUGH THE YEARS
The Department of Home Technology was established in
the College of Agriculture in 1955 to train women as partners
of men in agricultural and rural development. This department
was reorganized and elevated into the Institute of
Human Ecology that projected the role of both men and
women in addressing the problems of human environment
– not only in the home but outside the home as well.14 As
an ecologically-oriented unit, the Institute focused on men
Dr. Gil F. Dr. Percy E. Dr. Josefa S.
and women and their interrelationships with the environment. Saguiguit Sajise Eusebio
Dr. Gil F. Saguiguit, Assistant Director of SEARCA, was (1974-1980) (1980-1982) (1982-1987)
appointed concurrent Dean of the Institute to give it a boost.
Five operational areas were identified: 1
• Human development and population studies
• Human nutrition and foods
• Resource technology and management
• Environmental analysis and management
• Development education and community services
In time, the Institute evolved to become the College of Dr. Francisco P. Dr. Florentino L. Dr. Ma. Antonia G. Dr. Sue Liza C.
Fellizar, Jr. Librero Tuazon Saguiguit
Human Ecology offering: 2 (1987-1993) (1993-1999) (1999-2005) (2005-present)
Institute/College of Human Ecology (formerly the Department of Entomology building of the College of Agriculture)
174

25. 2. Engineering and technology INSAET later on evolved to become the College of
Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT).
Like the Department of Home Technology, UPCA’s It attracted hundreds of undergraduate students particularly
Department of Agricultural Engineering was elevated to in chemical and civil engineering. Many graduated as honor
become the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and
students and became topnotchers in board examinations.
Technology (INSAET) so that it may address pressing In view of its graduates’ high performance in licensure
problems beyond agricultural engineering, such as chemical examinations (usually 95-100% passing rates), CEAT was
engineering (which included sugar technology), postharvest declared by the Commission on Higher Education
handling and storage, and land and water resources in
(CHED) as a national center of excellence in agricultural
general.6 Dr. Dante B. de Padua (PhD – Michigan State
and chemical engineering.
University), Chairman of the Department of Agricultural
Engineering, was appointed the first Dean of INSAET in Some of CEAT’s significant outputs in R&D are as
1976. follows: 6, 7, 16
• Low-cost copra drier, which can also be used for
In 1977, the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation drying peanut, corn, coffee, cassava and fish
Center (AMTEC) was created in response to the need • Agricultural machine standards in support of agricultural
for an official testing agency for agricultural machinery to mechanization in the Philippines
guide farmers, extensionists, researchers, policy makers, • Design of waste water treatment and controlled landfill
machinery manufacturers and financial institutions in biogas systems
determining the suitability of agricultural machinery under • Design of a full-scale anaerobic digester
Philippine conditions. AMTEC became a major unit • Biogas and methane-generation policy recommendations
under INSAET.
Institute of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology
INSAET/CEAT DEANS THROUGH THE YEARS
Dr. Dante B. de Dr. Reynaldo M. Dr. Ernesto P. Dr. Silvestre C. Dr. Wilfredo F. Dr. Virgilio G. Dr. Reynaldo I. Dr. Victor B.
Padua Lantin Lozada Andales David Gayanilo Acda Ella
(Jun-Oct 1976) (1976-1983) (1984-1986) (1986-1987) (1987-1992) (1998-2001) (2002-2005) (2005-present)
INSAET Dean INSAET Dean (1992-1998)
(1983-1984) CEAT Dean
175

26. SOME TECHNOLOGIES Drilling Rig Model II – uses light and
DEVELOPED AND cheaper materials without sacrificing
durability, is portable and user-friendly.
PROMOTED BY
UPLB ENGINEERS
UPLB hand tractor –
durable, easy to repair, and
low in maintenance costs
Shallow tubewell irrigation technology –
has an internal rate of return (IRR) of 68%
from an initial investment of P43,000
176

27. 3 . Agricultural Development and
Administration
Dr. Samonte also saw the importance of UPCA’s Department
of Agricultural Economics, the Agricultural Credit and
Cooperatives Institute (ACCI), and the Agrarian Reform
Institute (ARI) as growth points in the area of economics
and management. He worked for their integration and
consolidation as an Institute of Agricultural Development
and Administration (IADA) to serve as a center of
College
excellence in instruction, research, and extension in Secretary’s
agricultural and rural economic development planning and office
management. 8, 15 Dr. Pedro Sandoval (PhD in Agricultural
Economics) was appointed the first Director of IADA.
In 1978, the Institute became the degree-granting College
of Development Economics and Management (CDEM),
which was later changed to the College of Economics
and Management (CEM).8
The College attracted hundreds of students to its Agricultural
undergraduate programs, which included BS Agribusiness Economics
wing of the
and BS Economics. Hundreds also enrolled in its graduate CDEM building
programs, which include Master of Management, and MS
and PhD in Agricultural Economics.8
CDEM/CEM DEANS THROUGH THE YEARS
Dr. Pedro R. Sandoval Dr. Tirso B. Paris Dr. Rogelio V. Cuyno Dr. Mario V. Perilla Dr. Salvador P. Catelo Dr. Liborio S. Cabanilla
(1975-1986) (1986-1991) (1991-1993) (1997-2000) (2000-2006) (2006-present)
(1994-1997)
College of Development Economics and Management (now College of Economics and Management) F.A.Bernardo 177

28. Two other new units organized by the Chancellor Samonte
are as follows:
1. Center for Policy and Development Studies
Established in June 1974, this Center aimed to develop
programs and projects which would cut across the different
units in UPLB, and other colleges and universities,
concerned with economic development. Dr. Pedro R.
Sandoval served as Executive Director of the Center.
2. Museum of Natural History Dr. Pedro R. Sandoval
This was approved by the Board of Regents on October
6, 1976 with Professor Juan Pancho as its first Director.
The Museum put together many biological collections in
the College of Agriculture and the College of Forestry. As
of 1996, it has a collection of about 200,000 species of
plants and animals, micro-organisms, and other biota that
showcased the rich biodiversity of the country.16a
Museum of Natural History located at the College of Forestry campus
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY DIRECTORS THROUGH THE YEARS
Prof. Juan V. Dr. Ireneo J. Dr. Victor de la Paz Dr. Venus J. Dr. William S. Dr. Augusto C. Dr. Lourdes B. Dr. Stephen G. Dr. Ireneo L.
Pancho Dogma, Jr. Gapud Calilung Gruezo Sumalde Cardenas Reyes Lit
(1976-1980) (1980-1982) (1982-1985) (1985-1992) (1992-1995) (1995-2001) (2001-2006) (Feb.16- (2006-present)
March 1, 2006)
178

29. Birth of Postharvest Horticulture Training and
Research Center (PHTRC)
P ostharvest losses of fruits and vegetables due to
over-ripening, decay, mechanical injury, storage pests, shipping
Three of the outstanding research outputs of PHTRC are:
damages, sprouting, etc. were shown to be as much as 30-40%. In 1. Modified Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) and
view of the importance of postharvest processing, shipping, and Extended Hot Water Dip (EHWD) Protocol as
marketing of highly perishable horticultural products, the Association quarantine treatment of mangoes for export. These
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial meeting in June treatments are required for exported mangoes to be
1976 decided to establish at Los Baños the Postharvest Horticulture acceptable in Japan and China.
Training and Research Center (PHTRC) to serve the needs of Southeast 2. Modified Atmosphere Packaging for perishable fruits,
Asian countries.4 Since then, the PHTRC, with strong support from vegetables and cutflowers. This involves the use of
the Department of Horticulture and initial funding from the ASEAN- polyethylene bags of suitable thickness for packaging to
Australian Economic Cooperation Program, has been conducting reduce the oxygen level while carbon dioxide accumulates.
formal and non-formal short-training courses for Southeast Asian This method is cheaper than refrigeration.
trainees. Many bulletins on proper handling of fruits and vegetables, 3. Minimal range of low temperature requirements of
and even ornamentals (e.g., roses) have been published by PHTRC. tropical fruits and vegetables. To prevent chilling
Useful research projects on reducing losses during harvesting, injury of tropical fruits and vegetables, the temperature
processing, storage, shipping and marketing have been undertaken. range should be 12-15oC. It would also be helpful if the
relative humidity is maintained at a range of 85-95%.
Postharvest Horticulture Training and
Research Center (PHTRC) near the
Food Science and Technology building
PHTRC DIRECTORS THROUGH THE YEARS
Dr. Ernesto B. Dr. Doroteo B. Dr. Ofelia K. Dr. Ma. Concepcion C. Dr. Elda B. Dr. Perlita A. Dr. Edralina P.
Pantastico Mendoza Bautista Lizada Esquerra Nuevo Serrano
(1977-1985) (1986) (1986-1990) (1990-1993) (1996) (1997-2002) (2002-2006)
(1993-1995)
179

30. Birth of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)
O n June 5, 1975, Presidential Decree 729 established the
Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) which created a strong bond
The Institute under Javier’s leadership adopted the inter-
disciplinary approach in the genetic improvement of different
for all the plant breeders in the College of Agriculture and also drew
crop commodities. Each commodity group was composed
into its fold seconded staff from closely related or supportive of a plant breeder, a plant pathologist, an entomologist, an
disciplines such as genetics, entomology, plant pathology, and plant agronomist, with assistance provided by a geneticist and a
physiology.3 plant physiologist. As a team, they collaborated to achieve
balanced goals of high yields, resistance to pests, resistance to
Dr. Emil Q. Javier, then Associate Professor of the Department drought, high temperature and flooding, and high quality of
of Agronomy and Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture, was product. The commodity groups consisted of Cereals,
appointed first Director of IPB. Legumes, Vegetables, Fiber Crops, Root Crops, and
Forage Crops.3
IPB had many significant outputs in R&D, aside from
outstanding varieties of corn.3, 16
IPB Laboratory buildings
for interdisciplinary research
IPB Laboratory and
screen house for research
180

31. INSTITUTE OF PLANT BREEDING DIRECTORS THROUGH THE YEARS
Dr. Emil Q. Javier Dr. Ricardo M. Lantican Dr. Ruben L. Villareal Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco
(1975-1979) (1979-1984) (1984-1985) (1985-1991)
Dr. Rene Rafael C. Espino Dr. Randy A. Hautea Dr. Violeta N. Villegas Dr. Desiree M. Hautea Dr. Jose E. Hernandez
(1991-1994) (1994-1997) (1997-2001) (2001-2006) (2006-present)
181

32. Birth of the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC)
T he National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) was
created on May 19, 1976 by Presidential Decree 936. The
• Trichogramma parasitoids against corn borer, tomato
fruitworm, and sugarcane borer. Techniques for mass
decree also created a network of seven Regional Crop Protection production and field release have been perfected.
Centers under the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) located in Dingras, • Rat control management strategies for rice fields, which
Ilocos Norte; Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Pili, Camarines Sur; Abuyog, included sanitation, proper weeding, synchronized planting,
Leyte; Jaro, Iloilo; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; and Tacurong, Sultan in combination with a wide-area use of rodenticides.
Kudarat.11 • Integrated pest control package for cotton with the use of
resistant varieties, proper time of planting, reduced amount
Dr. Fernando F. Sanchez was appointed the first Director of of pesticides, supplemented with biological control like the
NCPC. As the concurrent Director of the Rodent Research use of Trichogramma sp.
Center (RRC), Dr. Sanchez had no problem integrating RCC • Control of sweet potato weevil with the employment of
activities in NCPC programs.4 resistant varieties, timing of planting, hilling up, and crop
rotation.
NCPC initiated several in-service and non-degree training • Control of potato cyst nematode through biological
programs for crop protection technicians and farmers and helped control using Paecilomyces lilacinus, a fungus.
in strengthening the Regional Crop Protection Centers.
NCPC’s pesticide residue analysis showed that products
Among the important pest management systems that NCPC harvested seven days after spraying biodegradable pesticides were
promoted were: 9, 10, 11 safe from toxic pesticide residues.
National Crop Protection Center
182

33. Control of Asian Corn Borer
with the use of Predatory Earwigs
Asian Corn Borer – the most
destructive insect pest of corn.
Predatory Earwig – release of one earwig/m2
could control Asian corn borer and
increase corn yield by more than 50%.
NATIONAL CROP PROTECTION CENTER
DIRECTORS THROUGH THE YEARS
Dr. Fernando F. Sanchez Dr. Romulo G. Davide Dr. Jose R. Medina Dr. Luis Rey I. Velasco Dr. Eliseo P. Cadapan Dr. Susan May F. Calumpang
(1976-1982) (1982-1989) (1989-1995) (1995-1999) (1999-2003) (2003-present)
183

34. Separation of the Department of Horticulture
From Agronomy
E ven as UPCA gave birth to several institutes and colleges in
UPLB, growth within the College of Agriculture continued.
Horticulture, which covered fruits, vegetables and ornamentals, as
well as plantation crops (e. g., coconut, abaca, cotton, rubber, etc.),
was bursting in its seams as a division in the Department of Agronomy.
In 1974, the Board of Regents approved the separation of Horticulture
from Agronomy as a new department.5, 12 With more than 30 faculty
members and about 50 research assistants, the fledgling Department
was led by Dr. Edgardo Quisumbing as the first Chairman. The
Dr. Edgardo Quisumbing
Department had 34 courses taken by about 200 undergraduate and
54 graduate student majors.5
The Department of Horticulture is proud of its many research
breakthroughs in fruits, vegetables, industrial crops and ornamentals.
These include embryo culture technique for macapuno coconut,
bacterial wilt-resistant tomatoes and heat-resistant lowland cabbage,
tissue culture of orchids and abaca, development of high tillering,
drought and typhoon resistant abaca, and induction of flowering in
mango through chemical treatment.5, 16
Department of Horticulture at the third floor of the Agronomy-Soil Science-Horticulture building
184

35. UP College of Agriculture Wins the 1977
Ramon Magsaysay Award
T he Ramon Magsaysay Award, considered as Asia’s
equivalent of the Nobel Prize, is the highest and most prestigious
honor an individual or organization could ever receive in Asia. In RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD
1977, this came as the capstone of UPCA’s achievements.12
for
Dr. Cledualdo B. Perez, Jr., Dean of the College of Agriculture,
received the Award on behalf of UPCA in an appropriate ceremony
INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
held at the PhilAm Life Auditorium in Manila. The award included a
gold medallion and cash sum of US $10,000.
College of Agriculture
The 1977 RAMON MAGSAYSAY GOLD MEDALLION AWARD University of the Philippines
Los Baños
For quality teaching and research
fostering modernization of
Southeast Asian Agriculture
21 August 1977
Manila
Philippines
The reverse side of the
Gold Medallion
Magsaysay awardees are shown with
Mrs. Luz B. Magsaysay (fourth from left),
widow of the late President: Dean Perez
representing UP Los Baños, international
understanding; Dr. Fe del Mundo, public
service; Ela Bhatt, community leadership;
Benjamin Galstaun, government service;
Mahesh C. Regmi,communication arts.
185