GMA declares first week of July
as National Biotechnology Week

PRESIDENT Arroyo has proclaimed the first week of July as National Biotechnology Week.

Signed on June 16, Proclamation 861 said that it is the policy of the government to promote safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its products as one of the several means to achieve and sustain food security, equitable access to health services sustainable and safe environment, and industry development.

The first National Biotechnology Week will open on July 1 at the auditorium of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management on Visayas Avenue corner Elliptical Road, Quezon City. It will have Secretaries Arthur Yap of Agriculture and Estrella Alabastro of Science and Technology as guest speakers.

One of the highlights of the week is the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Yap and Mayor Ramon Guico, president of the League of Municipalities, on biotechnology information, education and technology exchange cooperation.

It will also feature a BioLife Exhibit; Technology Shopping Seminar; presentation of biotechnologies; seminar-workshop on forensic DNA; launching of the biotechnology intellectual property center and IPR seminar at the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Munoz, Nueva Ecija; farmer-to-farmer exchange on biotechnology at retired Gen. Marcelo Blando’s farm in Pangasinan; and a scientific symposium on biotechnology.

“Biotechnology sustains increased crop yields and farm productivity and enhances the quality, value and sustainability of crops for food and other uses that are complementary to modern agriculture,” it said.

It added that biotechnology is behind many breakthroughs in human health care that have benefited millions of people through the development of vaccines, antibiotics and other drugs.

The President said that it has benefited the environment through the protection of water quality, conservation of topsoil, improvement of waste-management techniques, reduction of chemical usage, production of renewable energy and biotechnology-based products, and other cleaner manufacturing processes.

She said that many biotechnology-based industries are already benefiting from the modern technology.

She added that public awareness, education and understanding of biotechnology are important for the responsible application and regulation of the new technology. The proclamation of biotechnology week will help in this endeavor, she said.

Mrs. Arroyo has designated the secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Health, Environment, Trade and Industry, and Local Government to compose the National Biotechnology Week Committee to be co-chaired by the secretaries of agriculture and science and technology.