More people in the Cagayan Valley are now more aware of biotechnology issues, particularly in genetically modified organisms (GMO). 

This is the outcome of "Biotechnology School-on-the-Air," a radio program aired in radio stations across Region 2. The program modules were prepared by the Philippine Foundation of Rural Broadcasters (PFRB). 

A listenership survey was conducted by Rogelio Matalang of the Cagayan State University (CSU) to assess the level of awareness, knowledge, understanding, perception, and attitude of the listeners on biotechnology before and after being exposed to the radio program. The survey covered 114 respondents, 52 of them in Cagayan, 32 in Isabela, and 30 in Nueva Vizcaya. 

Before the airing of the program, almost all the respondents in Nueva Vizcaya, about half in Isabela, and one-third in Cagayan were not aware of biotechnology. 

Biotechnology is "any technique that uses living organisms or substances from those organisms to make or modify a product, improve plants and animals, or develop microorganisms for speciffic uses." 

The radio program reduced from 55 percent to four percent and total number of respondents who were not aware of biotechnology and its various aspects. 

All the respondents became aware of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, (Bt) corn field testing, biosafety, and National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP). 

Bt is a bacterium that naturally occurs in soil and other common habitats. Through genetic engineering, a speciffic gene of Bt has been introduced into a corn variety. The Bt corn produces its natural pesticide against the destructive Asian corn borer, which is responsible for heavy losses experienced by Filipino corn farmers every year. 

Matalang concluded: "Although personal biases and oppositions had been noted due to strong oppositions by NGOs (nongovernment organizations) in the region, the overall observations suggest that the radio program had been effective in altering the negative perception and attitude toward biotechnology in the region."