Maiden Issue  n  September 2007

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Biotech drive broadens

BIONet organized to boost commerce, agricultural production

By ELTHEODON RILLORTA

THE campaign to promote agricultural biotechnology all over the country has taken a new turn following the holding of the first national congress of the Biotechnology Information and Organization Network (BIONet) at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

BIONet is the formal organization that pursues the information, education and communication campaign for the acceptance of biotechnology products in agricultural areas as mandated by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The congress was the culmination of painstaking work to cement together the broadest front to implement biotechnological options, particularly for agricultural production and expansion in the local and foreign markets.

A key element of the congress, held on April 2, 2007, was the strengthening of the network nationwide, pushing the wider application of appropriate biotechnology products, including high-yielding crops that nutritious, disease-free and do not require expensive pesticides and other farm inputs.

The network was designed to strengthen the role of biotechnology in rural communities and promote the cultivation and trade of agricultural biotechnology products, particularly now that the government is engaged in a prolonged campaign to reduce hunger and poverty nationwide.

Stakeholders representing local governments, government agencies, private institutions, investors, farmers, agri-biotech industries, people’s organizations, non-government organizations and the academe gathered under one roof to establish BIONet, a partnership between government and private stakeholders advocating widespread applications of biotechnology.

The 1st BIONet National Congress, which was held in the Balay Kalinaw in UP Diliman, sought to institutionalize partnerships on agricultural biotechnology for local development by forging alliances among stakeholders in many communities all over the country.

"Guided by basic principles of social equity, job generation and economic profitability, BIONet is envisioned to empower marginalized sectors of society particularly farmers, women, out of school youth, and the rural poor," said Dr. Edita Burgos, Executive Director of the Biotechnology for Life Media and Advocacy Resource Center (BMARC), in her welcoming address during the BIONet National Congress, which was attended by nearly 100 delegates from more than 10 provinces.

A major step in information and advocacy

The event was a major step for the DA’s information and advocacy campaign on biotechnology as it established the necessary network to sustain and expand the delivery of biotechnology applications and products for the Philippine agricultural sector.

"I hope that our first congress would firm up our collective agreement to promote biotechnology and guarantee food security in the process even as we work hard to institutionalize marketing networks and penetrate newer local and foreign markets for our best biotechnology products," said Alicia Ilaga, Director of the DA Biotechnology Program. She remains confident that, through the network, "we can strategically position ourselves in the biotechnology revolution."

The highlight of the 1st BIONet National Congress was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the BIONet and Biotechnology Commerce (BIOCommerce) by the DA, National Nutrition Council (NNC), BIONet leaders, concerned local government units (LGUs) and SECURA International.

During the congress, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Mayors’ Development Program also launched the Biotechnology Course for Local Government Units.

The BIONet National Council was also formed during the congress. It will exercise management and control over the affairs and activities of the BIONet. The National Council is composed of 10 National Officers, 15 Regional Officers, and representatives of each local BIONet.

Local BIONets have been established in more than 10 provinces in the country and more of them will be organized in the poorest provinces in the country to emphasize the goal of the BIONet as a vehicle for social equity, job generation and economic profitability through BioCommerce.

Biotech and the agri sector’s role in national development

According to Joy Javelosa, DA Assistant Secretary for Policy, "the agricultural sector has become conscious of its potent role in national development and aware that the unity of producers, the academe, the scientific community, the private sector and the government would bring to the forefront our collective desire to promote biotechnology."

She delivered the keynote address on behalf of DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap.

Javelosa said the DA is optimistic that biotechnology will raise farmers’ incomes and encourage the propagation of better crops and larger investments in agricultural biotechnology products.

"We certainly support the initiatives of BIONet Philippines to organize more communities, expand its existing networks and promote the idea of cultivating the agricultural biotechnology product in many farmlands in the country," Javelosa added.

The BIONetwork has, indeed, become as sharp as a bayonet in cutting the web of fear, ignorance, superstition and prejudice against biotechnology. Thus far, the biotech revolution has found taken root in many provinces, with thousands of hectares of land becoming BIOCommerce hubs.

With the help of this network, many people would turn to biotech to produce better crops, fruits and other agricultural commodities that have high demand in the domestic and foreign markets, particularly in the pharmaceutical and nutriceutical industries. All that is left is the challenge for the BIONet and its members to maximize the power of biotechnology – the power of life.

Back to top

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