Researchers from different agencies under the Department of Agriculture (DA) assessed on September 5-7 their research capabilities and resources necessary for the operation of a proposed Biotechnology Center, which is expected to unify and prioritize all existing biotechnology research at the DA.

The Center, which will be built at the PhilRice Central Experiment Station in Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, is expected to coordinate all biotechnology activities of different agencies dealing with their respective commodities. This will ensure a rationalized, effective, and efficient agricultural biotechnology research and development agenda for the DA.

In July 2005, former agriculture secretary Arthur C. Yap signed Administrative Order 21 promulgating the legal and institutional framework of the Center. PhilRice was chosen as the site for the Center because of its state-of-the-art biotechnology facilities, highly trained biotechnology experts and practitioners, corporate and fiscal flexibility, management and financial experience, and expertise essential for the commercialization of agricultural biotechnology.

Initially, the Center will focus on major commodities such as rice, corn, coconut, and high-value crops. Other commodities to be covered are cattle, carabao, small ruminants, non-ruminants, fish, and other aquatic resources.

During the workshop, which was held at the PhilRice CES, researchers made an inventory of each agency’s manpower capacity; existing facilities; and linkages/collaborations with private agencies, state colleges and universities, as well as local and international funding sources. They also grouped research activities according to the following: genomics/proteomics, tissue culture, genetic engineering, conventional biotechnology, and others.

The workshop’s output will be the agenda for the first governing board meeting, which will be chaired by agriculture secretary Domingo F. Panganiban. Participating agencies in the meeting are the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (BFAR-NFRDI), SEAFDEC (Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Council), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), Cotton Development Administration (CODA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), National Tobacco Authority (NTA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), and Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).

Key officials in the workshop were biotech advisory team chair Dr. Saturnina Halos; Biotech-PIU executive director Dr. Alicia G. Ilaga, DA-BAR consultant and former PhilRice executive director Dr. Santiago R. Obien; PCC executive director Dr. Libertado C. Cruz; PhilRice executive director Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, PhilRice Deputy Directors Dr. Edilberto D. Redoña, and Atty. Ronilo A. Beronio.

The workshop was organized by PhilRice’s Office of the Deputy Director for R&D in coordination with the DA Policy Research Service.

With reports from Joan Marie Agarcio, Nelson Garcia, and Caesar Angelito Arceo