Monsanto Philippines has harvested Bt corn in its field trial site in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan last May 2, one of the 11 trials conducted in various parts of the Philippines during the dry season cropping.  The harvesting was strictly supervised by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and was also witnessed by representatives from other national and local government agencies. The members of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) monitored the harvesting. According to Ronald G. Cabangbang, Product Development Executive of Monsanto, two Bt corn varieties were field tested in the area.  These are Yieldgard 818 and YieldGard 838.  These Bt corn varieties were specifically evaluated for resistance to Asian corn borer and compared with commercial corn hybrids. Results confimed the effectiveness of the Bt corn varieties in controlling Asian corn borer infestation.  Unlike traditional varieties of corn, Bt corn exhibited healthier plants, undamaged stalks, and cleaner cobs.  The benefit of the Bt technology in protecting yield was clearly demonstrated. Data from the Pangasinan field trial, including those in other 10 trial sites for dry season evaluation of Bt corn, will be released soon by Monsanto.