Researchers and collaborators of the Bt/FSBR eggplant project, and members of Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and regional plant quarantine officers from the seven Bt/FSBR eggplant multi-location trial sites recently undertook a biosafety and biotech communication skills enhancement training held last July 27-28, 2010 at Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines. Organized by the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP) II, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Biotechnology Information Center, the Training Workshop on Enhancing Skills in Communicating Issues about Bt/FSBR Eggplant was part of a sequel of capacity building and technology acceptance initiatives related the Bt/FSBR eggplant product development. The workshop was also supported by the Department of Agriculture Biotech Program Office (DABPO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A communication workshop module tailored specifically for the participants allowed to improve skills to effectively share information, respond proactively to inquiries, and anticipate public’s information needs in relation to issues raised about the Bt/FSBR eggplant technology.

Dr. Anabelle Novero, IBC Chair from University of the Philippines Mindanao shared the difficulty of scientists and academicians to convey science-based information related to Bt technology in layman’s perspectives. According to Dr. Novero, the concluded communication workshop provided her the necessary techniques to effectively share key information related to the project. Similarly, Dr. Eduardo Tulin, IBC Chair from the Visayas State University, expressed the importance of being equipped with the factual, science-based information and the necessary communication skills in addressing possible inquiries related to the Bt/FSBR eggplant. After going through the workshop, Dr. Tulin considered himself to be more ready to face biotech communication challenges in his region.

Dr. Desiree M. Hautea, project leader and product development manager from the University of the Philippines Los Banos - Institute of Plant Breeding, also shared the status and updates on the Bt/FSBR eggplant project during the training workshop. She reported that initial observations from the first multi location trials showed that the Pinoy Bt/FSBR biotech eggplant has high resistance to the fruit and shoot borer (FSB) pest, thus effectively controlling the infestation of the pest. The Bt eggplant technology is expected to provide positive impact to farmers for the reduction in pesticide use for the control of the FSB pest.

Multi-location trials are essential activities to be undertaken to fully assess and evaluate safety and performance of the product prior to commercialization. The second season of multi-location trials will be conducted in seven areas- Camarines Sur, Leyte, Iloilo, Pangasinan, Laguna, Davao and North Cotobato, for this public sector biotech product. The Philippines Department of Agriculture through its Bureau of Plant Industry is taking the lead in ensuring the safety of any GM/biotech product prior to commercial propagation or release to the market.

For biotech updates in the Philippines, visit www.bic.searca.org or send an email to bic@agri.searca.org (Jenny A. Panopio)

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator & Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: jap at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-2290 loc 169 or 406
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-4105
URL: www.bic.searca.org