To ensure competitiveness in global bio-enterprise, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Agriculture (DA) are institutionalizing biotech research and development funding.

This is envisioned to secure the Philippines' niche in the global bio-enterprise with focus on the budget allocation for biotech products research and development particularly in the area of biopharming or the commercialization of plant-made pharmaceuticals.

DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro said they have identified biotechnology as one of five key priority areas where research and development funds will be spent by the agency in the next four years.

Earlier, President Arroyo had declared the first week of July as National Biotechnology Week to promote safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its products as one of the several means to achieve and sustain food security, equitable access to health services, sustainable and safe environment, and industry development.

In the DOST's R&D Agenda for 2006-2010, biotechnology projects have been classified into food, industrial, environmental, medicine and health, agricultural and forest, marine and aquatic biotechnology.

Alabastro said it also has well-trained scientists and technologists in the field, and has diverse flora and fauna, which excellent resources for biological processes.

"Biotechnology has been tagged as the sunrise industry of the millennium. In the knowledge-based global economy, cutting edge biotechnology provides the innovations that add value, bringing forth new products and services, and creating new products and services, and creating new markets and business."

For his part, Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano said the DA is institutionalizing funding for biotech R&D and has identified biopharming as one of their targets.

He said substantial amount will be poured to advance biopharming, particularly to develop a supply market for natural ingredients and bio-fortified crops or products that have medical benefits in the world market.