Manila: The Philippines' NSIC Rc 218 SR, also known as Mabango 3 or Dinorado, has achieved quality comparable to premium imported rice, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Wednesday. The recognition came after Dinorado was named second-best among 30 varieties in the World's Best Rice 2025 Awards held in Cambodia in November.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dinorado followed Cambodia and Vietnam, which finished in a rare tie for gold, while surpassing the qualities of other major exporters such as Thailand, India, and Australia, among others. In a press conference, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the award demonstrates the capability of Filipino breeders to produce rice that meets global premium standards. "Ang magandang balita niyan, ito na 'yung katapat nila (The good news is this is their counterpart)," he said, citing distinct characteristics of the Dinorado as 'very white, long, and slender.'

For her part, Dinorado rice breeder Thelma Padolina said the recognition highlights the Philippines' rice quality on the global stage. "I am very glad with this achievement that puts the Philippines on the global map. This means that rice produced by Filipino breeders is at par with the rest of the world," she said.

Tiu Laurel, meanwhile, expressed plans to come up with a massive production of a similar rice breed through its nurseries. "We should develop this further para ma-increase 'yung yield at susubukan na natin itong itanim para kayang-kaya na nating ilaban sa ating mga palengke (to increase the yield and we will try to plant this so that we can compete with those [imported rice] in local markets)."

He said this variety may be distributed for the 'majority' of the recipients under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund program. Tiu Laurel said this may be possible after four planting cycles in the last quarter of 2027.