Local government units (LGUs) have agreed to support the propagation of biotechnology in the country by helping the Department of Agriculture (DA) pinpoint areas where genetically modified (GM) crops can be suitably grown.

The Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP) said the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) is keen on encouraging farmers in their respective locales to go into the production of GM crops, biofertilizers, biofuels and even in the manufacture of lactobacillus and antirabies vaccines.

The BCP said it is working in tandem with the DA’s Biotechnology Advisory Team (DA-BAT) and the LMP to expand the network for biotech products in the country by meeting with farmers, LGU officials and nongovernment organizations.

Dr. Benigno Peczon, BCP president and chief executive officer (syc), also lectured LMP members on the many economic opportunities presented by biotechnology products and their prospects in the local and foreign markets.

LMP members have formally adopted the use of agricultural biotechnology products and have partnered with the BCP and the DA-BAT in crafting a manual on the dissemination and the propagation of bio-commerce nationwide.

To encourage more farmers to engage in the production of Bt crops, LMP has encouraged their constituents to adopt modern farming methods, doing away with pesticides and fertilizers that have been proven to be disastrous to people and the environment.