by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (6 July) -- The first week of July 2006 was proclaimed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the National Biotechnology Week with the theme "Securing the Philippines' Niche in the Global Bio-Enterprise".

According to the press report of the Department of Agriculture, the week-long activity aims to cultivate public understanding of the science and technology behind biotechnology.

It also aims to encourage entrepreneurship in bio-based technology enterprises, which are seeing a global market boom.

The President appointed Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro of the Department of Science and Technology to chair the National Biotechnology Week Committee, with the secretaries of the departments of Agriculture, Health, Environment and Natural Resources, Trade and Industry, Interior and Local Government as members, the DA press report said.

In connection with the observance here in Iloilo, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UPV-NIMBB) is currently conducting a two-day National Symposium on Fisheries and Aquatic Biotechnolgy at the SEAFDEC Headquarters in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

The topics and their discussants for the two-day symposium are the following: National Biosafety Policy (EO 430) by Julieta Fe Estacio- DOST project development officer and technical secretariat, National Committee on Biosafety in the Philippines; Intellectual Property and IPO Services for Biotechnology Development and Commercialization-Director Epifanio M. Evasco of Intellectual Property Office; Institutional Support for Biotechnology Research- Engr. Nelson P. Beniabon, chief research specialist, Research and Development Management Division of PCASTRD; Dr. Saturnina C. Halos, head of the DA Biotech team of Experts; Dr. Cesario Pagdilao, deputy executive director of PCAMRD; Dr. Westly Rosario, executive director of NFRDI;

Nutrient Enhancement of Feeds for Aquaculture/Environmental Degradation- Dr. Niela Sumagaysay-Chavoso of SEAFDEC and Dr. Augusto Serrano, Jr. of UPV; Conservation and Stock Management- Dr. Antoniette Menes of UP-MSI and Dr. Zubaida Basiao of IB-UP Diliman; Controlled Breeding Program through Broodstock Management-Dr. Westly Rosario and Dr. Ramon Macaraig; Health Management in Shrimp Aquaculture-Dr. Leobert dela Pena of SEAFDEC and Dr. Philip Cruz of Cruz Aquaculture Corporation; Reproductive Biology of Seaweeds and its State-of then Art Technologies-Dr. Anicia Hurtado of ISDA and Dr. Arturo Lluisma of MSI; Valuable Compounds from Aquatic Organisms- Dr. Jose Oclarit of MSU-Iligan and Dr. Jane Geduspan of UPV;

Pharmacological Compounds from Seaweeds-Dr. Ebonia Seraspe of UPV and Mr. Maximo aRicohermoso of MCPI; Commercialization of Biotech Product: Microbial Enzyme Production System- Dr. Teresita Espino of NIMBB-UPLB andDr. Benigno Peczon, president of BCP; Bioinformatics- Dr. Antonio Laurena, IPB-UPLB and Dr. Glenn D. Aguilar, chancellor of UPV; Bioremediation/Biological Indicators-Dr. Danilo Largo of USC and Dr. Anicia Hurtado of ISDA; Marine Toxins-Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz of MSI and Dr. Teresita Espino of NIMBB-UPLB.