Philippines’ Mabango 3 Rice Wins Silver at World’s Best Rice 2025, Showcasing PBBM’s Agricultural Innovation

The Philippines has achieved a major milestone in agricultural innovation as Mabango 3 (Denorado), a homegrown rice variety, secured the silver award at the World’s Best Rice 2025 Awards. The competition drew 30 rice varieties from across the globe, positioning Mabango 3 as a testament to Filipino excellence in agricultural research and development.

This achievement highlights the success of initiatives under President Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s administration, famously branded as Maasahan at Masipag stewardship in agriculture. According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), this accolade is a direct outcome of the government’s sustained investment in rice research, farmer adoption programs, and robust food security systems.

"We are immensely proud that Mabango 3 is now recognized on the world stage," DA Secretary stated. "This confirms that our commitment to innovation under President Marcos Jr. is yielding tangible benefits for our farmers and consumers alike. We expect commercial availability of Mabango 3 within the next three to four harvest seasons, ensuring that the Filipino public can enjoy this superior rice variety soon."

The DA also underscored the export potential of Mabango 3, envisioning the Philippines becoming a stronger player in the global rice market. This development aligns with the administration’s push to modernize agriculture, promote farmer welfare, and enhance food security.

President Marcos Jr. personally champions this drive as part of his vision to be the "Reliable Modernizer of Agriculture," guided by the message: "Reliable Innovation. Tireless Progress: Filipino excellence feeding the future." His leadership has been instrumental in expanding the government’s ₱20-per-kilo rice program, which now operates at 424 sites nationwide, making affordable rice accessible to millions.

The synergy between the successful development of Mabango 3 and the expanded affordable rice program demonstrates the administration’s holistic approach. It combines scientific breakthroughs with effective distribution initiatives to bolster public access and support for farmers.

Agriculture experts affirm that this international recognition not only validates Filipino research capabilities but also sets a new benchmark for quality and competitiveness in Southeast Asia.

With the promise of commercial production set for the near term, Mabango 3 is poised to elevate both local consumption and exports, embodying President Marcos Jr.’s vision to transform Philippine agriculture through sustained R&D investment and strategic farmer support.

As the nation celebrates this silver victory on the world stage, the Marcos administration continues its steady march toward a self-reliant and future-ready Philippine agriculture sector.