The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) today, Monday, January 26, formalized a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which aims to strengthen institutional collaboration, technical knowledge sharing, and capability enhancement in support of fair competition and sustainable development in the rice sector.
Signed by PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and IRRI Director General Yvonne Pinto, the MOA underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to promote inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience through coordinated efforts in research, enforcement, and advocacy.
Under the agreement, PCC and IRRI will collaborate on various initiatives that promote institutional development and sectoral reform, which include capacity building, technical cooperation in rice science and data analytics to support market studies and policy development, and the exchange of information to aid in the enforcement of the Philippine Competition Act and other competition-related laws. Both parties are also committed to providing mutual support in developing projects and mobilizing resources to advance shared objectives.
Aguinaldo emphasized the importance of the partnership in advancing PCC’s mandate.
“This collaboration underscores our common objective of improving outcomes across the rice value chain. By exchanging knowledge, strengthening institutional capacity, and supporting joint research and market studies, the PCC and IRRI can better identify barriers to competition, promote efficiency, and encourage innovation in the industry”, he said.
This partnership reflects PCC’s broader advocacy to engage with sectoral experts and institutions in promoting a culture of competition across key industries, especially those critical to food security and rural development.
