The Philippines' University
of Southern Mindanao (USM) president Dr. Jesus Antonio
G. Derije said that the university is involved in education,
research, extension, and resource generation.
Thus, they have partnered in the multi-location field trial
of the fruit
and shoot borer (FSB) resistant Bt 'talong' (eggplant)
project. He pointed out that research is necessary to confirm
if the allegations against Bt 'talong' are true or not.
The USM President gave these remarks during a "Seminar
on Understanding the Science, Safety, and Benefits of Bt
Crops Technology" last January 13, 2011 which was co-organized
with the Provincial Government of Northern Cotobato. In
this activity, experts and stakeholders of crop biotechnology
discussed the science, regulation, and experiences on biotech
crops.
In the seminar, Dr. Emma K. Sales, a faculty in USM, said
that biotechnology is "a word of hope" for informed
people because they know it could help in solving diverse
health, environment and food supply problems. She encouraged
the students to be aggressive in learning the science so
that they would be able to understand the issues surrounding
the technology and appreciate more its benefits and potentials.
Ms. Merle Palacpac, Chair of the Biotech Core Team of the
Bureau
of Plant Industry, meanwhile, assured that the biosafety
regulation are in place and the Philippines is being considered
as a model in successfully implementing its science-based
risk assessment procedures, and thus able to approve GM/biotech
crops for commercial use.
Currently, there are several biotech corn events approved
for commercial propagation in the country, and Filipino
corn farmers have been planting it since 2003. Rosalie Ellasus,
biotech corn farmer from northern part of the Philippines
shared her first-hand experiences in planting biotech crops
and assured the participants that it has benefited her in
terms of improving her life and making corn farming a safer
and more sustainable livelihood.
The seminar was part of the continuing consultation and
education activities to inform the public and key stakeholders
on the issues, concerns and facts related to the Bt 'talong'
project. The activity was attended by students, academics,
farmers, legislators and media practitioners from the Cotobato
province.
For more information about the seminar, e-mail bic_at_agri.searca.org
or visit the SEARCA BIC website, www.bic.searca.org.
(Jenny
A. Panopio and Sophia
M. Mercado)
