LOS BAÑOS, Laguna - The Philippines is looking forward to becoming the hub of agricultural and fisheries biotechnology in Southeast Asia.

"We are now leading the way in setting the standard by which this science is safely developed and government in the region," stated Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) official added: "This is therefore an important initiative not only for the Philippines but also for all nations working to push biotechnology into the center of their development programs."

Panganiban's forum was the "Biotech Issues and Communication Workshop Enhancing Communication Skills of Southeast Asian Decision Makers on Biotechnology" held recently at the Intercontinental Manila Hotel in Makati City.

Sponsored by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) with the support of the United States Grains Council (USGC), the conference was attended by about 40 scientists, researchers, and communicators from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, the United States, and Kenya.

Panganiban stressed that "biotechnology is likely to be the most important breakthrough in 21st century agriculture. Its implications are far-reaching, its potential benefits massive."

"Today," he further said, "there is no question as to the importance of effective communication in our bid to promote support, awareness, cooperation, and information about biotechnology."

He reported that DA devotes a considerable amount of planning, effort, and logistics into the endeavor.

For instance, the Department has established biotechnology information nodes and networks throughout the archipelago.

"We train and retrain our biotech information personnel workers to communicate in the vernacular, and regularly distribute printed material translated into the vernacular, and regularly distribute printed material translated into the major dialects of the archipelago," he said.

The support of the most influential social networks in the bid to inform Filipinos about the benefits and latest advances in farm and fisheries biotechnology has also been harnessed.

Panganiban concluded: "Our communication program has been successful thus far. We have made considerable advances in the regulation and development of the science."