SEARCA trains Or. Mindoro officials on modern biotechnology
Margust Dela Cerna | August 19, 2024
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is empowering public servants in Oriental Mindoro with knowledge in agribiotechnology.
“Through the Pilot Testing of Training Module on Biotechnology for Public Servants, local governments are strengthening their understanding and support for modern biotechnology, “ SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said.
The training, conducted in September and October, took place in Muntinlupa and was attended by agriculture officials from provincial and municipal offices.
This initiative is part of the Bridging and Upgrading the Mechanisms and Pathways for the Uptake of Biotech Project, funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research and the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO). It was organized with the help of the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Development Communication (UPLB-CDC) and the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS).
Gregorio explained that the training module, designed for self-paced or guided learning, covers four main areas: biotech basics, risk assessment, the impact of biotech on health and the environment, and the current status of biotech in the Philippines. Developed by experts including UPLB-CDC professors Elaine Llarena and Reianne Quilloy, the module uses local survey data to address specific needs.
Oriental Mindoro Provincial Agriculturist Christine Pine encouraged ongoing discussions to help local farmers better understand biotech, emphasizing the importance of training and learning opportunities in building community support for biotechnology.
“Through the Pilot Testing of Training Module on Biotechnology for Public Servants, local governments are strengthening their understanding and support for modern biotechnology, “ SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said.
The training, conducted in September and October, took place in Muntinlupa and was attended by agriculture officials from provincial and municipal offices.
This initiative is part of the Bridging and Upgrading the Mechanisms and Pathways for the Uptake of Biotech Project, funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research and the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO). It was organized with the help of the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Development Communication (UPLB-CDC) and the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS).
Gregorio explained that the training module, designed for self-paced or guided learning, covers four main areas: biotech basics, risk assessment, the impact of biotech on health and the environment, and the current status of biotech in the Philippines. Developed by experts including UPLB-CDC professors Elaine Llarena and Reianne Quilloy, the module uses local survey data to address specific needs.
Oriental Mindoro Provincial Agriculturist Christine Pine encouraged ongoing discussions to help local farmers better understand biotech, emphasizing the importance of training and learning opportunities in building community support for biotechnology.
