Turned over by Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. to UPLB Chancellor Wilfredo David were the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (NPGRL) and the Plant Biotechnology building.
The research facilities are expected to boost the research capability of UPLB in conducting more scientific studies, particularly on biotechnology.
The structures were turned over to the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding during a fitting program marking the 28th anniversary celebration of IPB.
Among those present during the ceremony were UPLB College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Candida Adalla, IPB director Dr. Desiree Hautea, former IPB director Dr. Randy Hautea, and DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research Assistant Director Nick Eleazar.
The rehabilitation of the NPGRL facilities was made possible through the DA-BARs Institutional Development Grant to strengthen the base repository collection and conservation of plant genetic resources.