The SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center took part in the week-long celebration of the 2nd National Biotechnology Week, held at Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Department of Agriculture (DA), Diliman Quezon City, 02-07 July 2006.

With the theme “Securing the Philippines’ Niche in the Global Bio-Enterprise”, this year’s celebration focused on positioning the Philippines’ biotechnology for global enterprise. It highlighted the initiatives of biotechnology R&D institutions joint ventures with private sectors in advancing biocommerce that complement in Philippines’ global competitiveness.

The celebration featured activities that interest various stakeholders such as the biotechnology quiz, technology exhibit and trade fair, entrepreneurship fair, technology showcase, stakeholders’ forum, S&T symposiums, forum and video showing on DNA forensics.

Government partnership with bioindustries in implementing projects on commercialization of plant-based pharmaceuticals, anti-rabies’ vaccines, biofertilizers, and development of disease-resistant crops was also launched during the culminating program.

The SEARCA BIC together with Ilocos Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC), Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVARRD), Northern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (NOMCARRD) and the Cotabato Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CARRDEC), all of which are the implementing agencies of the DA funded Project on Establishment and Nurturance of Biotechnology Information Nodes (BINs), organized several activities in support of the National Biotechnology Week. It participated in the technology exhibit and trade fair, by exhibiting or distributing posters, brochures, books and other information resource materials on agricultural biotechnology. The regional consortia, on the other hand, organized airing of Biotech-on-the-air modules in local radio stations, biotechnology forum, and seminar on awareness and understanding of biotechnology.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the first week of July as “National Biotechnology Week” through Presidential Proclamation 1053. Leading the celebration was the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). -Rochella B. Lapitan, SEARCA BIC

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