Experiences on biotech communication strategies, efforts, and challenges in the Philippines were shared to Filipino rural broadcasters in the Luzon region during the Communicators Roundtable on Biotechnology and Rural Broadcasters Conference on November 14, 2012 at the Philippine Carabao Center, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The effort was a network building

and biotech outreach activity for media practitioners in rural communities. Ms. Jenny Panopio of SEARCA BIC shared her experiences on biotech communication strategies and challenges in the Philippines and talked about the importance of the media in the biotech debate and education and the various efforts of organizations in reaching out to them towards biotech education. She also introduced the development, status, and potential benefits of the Bt eggplant project to the participants. Other biotech experts also enlightened the broadcasters on the developments and status of biotech research and development and adoption in the country. Chair of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Biotechnology Program Dr. Candida Adalla, Vice Chair of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry’s Biotech Core Team Merle Palacpac, and Isabela biotech corn farmer Isidro Acosta,

gave presentations on the government efforts in biotech R&D in the Philippines, local biosafety regulations, and experience in biotech corn farming, respectively. A total of 42 rural broadcasters attended the conference. The activity was organized by the Department of Agriculture - Biotechnology Program Office and the Philippine Federation of Rural Broadcasters. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

Rural broadcasters, resource persons, and organizers of the conference.

Dr. Lourdes Taylo (left) discusses the development and status of the Bt eggplant project in the Philippines with Radyo Teknolohiya’s host Melly Tenorio.

Bt Eggplant Experts Guest in Radio Program

Study leaders of the Bt eggplant project Dr. Lourdes Taylo and Mr. Mario Navasero of the University of the Philippines Los

Baños (UPLB), Dr. Jinky Leilani Lu of UP Manila, and UPLB Institutional Biosafety Committee member Dr. Emiliana Bernardo served as resource persons in a weekly radio discussion program titled “Radyo Teknolohiya” (Filipino, “Radio Technology”) of the Philippine Broadcasting Service’s AM station Radyo ng Bayan. Dr. Bernardo explained the safety of Bt technology in Bt eggplant; Dr. Taylo talked about the development of the Bt eggplant project in the Philippines; Dr. Lu discussed her study on insecticide residues in eggplant farms; and Mr. Navasero related Insect Pest Management strategies and Bt eggplant. Their episodes aired on October 26, November 16, November 23, and December 7, 2012, respectively. “Radyo Teknolohiya” is hosted by Philippine Science Journalists Association, Inc. President Ms. Melly Tenorio. The hour-long discussion with guest experts included a trivia (“Tekkie Trivia”) and contest (Biotech Contest) segments wherein listeners could participate by texting the right answer to crop biotech-related questions. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

Vol VIII No 3july - december 2012

NewsletterA B S PIIAgricultural Biotechnology Support Project II

Southeast Asia

Biotech Communication Effortsin the Philippines Shared with Rural Broadcasters

Ms. Jenny Panopio of SEARCA BIC shares biotech communication activities in the Philippines.

2 Vol. VIII, No. 3

8th Philippine Biotech Week Features Bt Eggplant and Other Biotech Crops

The fruit and shoot borer resistant Bt eggplant of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) was among the featured crop biotech products in the week-long commemoration of

the 8th National Biotechnology Week (NBW), held on November 26-30, 2012 in Gateway Suites, Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City. An informational biotech exhibit set up by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture – Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC) attracted students and other members of the academe and the scientific community, media, farmers, government agency officials and constituents, and the general public. They learned about the technology, safety, and potential benefits of upcoming biotech products through biotech information materials such as the BiotechTOONS jigsaw puzzles and Bt eggplant brochures. The communication team, through SEARCA BIC, also co-organized several outreach activities including the Biotech Campus Journalism Contest, which encouraged high school and college student journalists on science-based reporting in biotech; Biotech Film Showing, which educated students on the development of Bt corn in the country and its significant benefits; and the Jose Burgos, Jr. Awards for Biotech Journalism, which recognized outstanding science reporters in the subject of biotech. Bt eggplant project in the Philippines was also introduced to the high school and college student journalist-winners and finalists of the Biotech Campus Journalism Contest during their study tour to biotech research institutions and laboratories. The 8th NBW was organized by the inter-agency committee composed of the Philippine Department of Health, which chaired this year’s event; Department of Agriculture; Department of Science and Technology; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Department of Education; Department of Trade and Industry; Department of the Interior and Local Government; Commission on Higher Education; and SEARCA BIC and other national biotech organizations. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

BiotechTOONS jigsaw puzzles educate and entertain NBW visitors and participants.

Bt eggplant exhibit tarpaulins highlight background and potential benefits of the project.

One of the centerpiece panels exhibited in the National Biotech Week features the biotech capacity building initiatives in the Philppines.

Ribbon cutting and opening of the biotech exhibit during the 8th National Biotechnology Week. In the photo are Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau Director Marcial Amaro, Jr., DA-Biotech Program Office Chair Dr. Candida Adalla, AGHAM Party-list Representative Angelo Palmones, and Department of Health Undersecretary Paulyn Jean Ubial.

Filipino Student Journalists Write About the Benefits and Potentials of Biotech Crops

Vol. VIII, No. 3 3

High school and college student journalists and writers in the Philippines competed in the nation-wide Biotech Campus Journalism Contest with the theme “The Benefits and Potentials of Modern Crop Biotechnology in the Philippines”. The Contest was co-organized by the

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture-Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC), International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), AGHAM Party-list, and Philippine Science Journalists Association Inc. (PSciJourn), in celebration of the 8th National Biotechnology Week. The Biotech Campus Journalism Contest was divided into high school and college levels and encouraged the students to research on modern crop biotech and interview Filipino scientists, biotech corn farmers, and even regulators of biotech crops. More than 90 articles were submitted by students from both public and private high schools and colleges in the country but only the top 10 students from each level were awarded and recognized. Among the participating high schools were the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas Campuses of the Philippine Science High School, while the college students came from the University of the Philippines in Diliman and Los Baños, Benguet State University, Misamis University, and Mindanao State University, among others.

Dr. Lourdes D. Taylo shows the target pests of Bt eggplant and their damages to conventional eggplant fruits to student-winners of the Biotech Campus Journalism Contest.

Judges for the Contest were Dr. Emiliana N. Bernardo, a retired professor and a known entomologist from UPLB; Dr. Mariechel J. Navarro, Manager of the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology of ISAAA; Ms. Victoria B. Bartilet, Political Affairs Officer of the Office of Hon. Angelo B. Palmones, AGHAM Party-list and former Executive Director of PSciJourn; Dr. Aristotle P. Carandang, Vice President of PSciJourn and Chief of the Communication Resources and Production Division of the Science and Technology Information Institute of the Department of Science and Technology; and Dr. Antonio C. Laurena, a crop biotech expert and research professor from the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) - UPLB. The articles were evaluated based on their substance, content, originality, analysis and adherence to the theme; logic, organization and coherence; and style and presentation. Aside from cash prizes, the 20 winners and finalists were also entitled to join a study tour to print, radio, and TV offices, as well as to biotech laboratory facilities in the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The students went to UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), UPLB-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), and Rice World Museum and Learning Center of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). They were briefed about biosafety and biotechnology in the Philippines, the said institutions’ mandates and research and development activities, and the laboratory facilities used in biotech research. Dr. Lourdes Taylo, entomologist and study leader of the Bt eggplant project, introduced the students to the said biotech crop and showed them its target and non-target insects, as well as the fruit and shoot borer’s damage to eggplant fruits. The awarding ceremony was held during the Opening Ceremonies of the 8th National Biotechnology Week on November 16, 2012 at Gateway Suites, Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City. AGHAM Party-list Representative and known S&T broadcaster and advocate Angelo Palmones awarded the students, with the first, second, and third place winners in both levels receiving cash prizes of Php15,000, Php10,000, and Php7,000, respectively. The succeeding seven finalists and the special citation awardee were bestowed with Php2,000 cash prize each. AGHAM Congressional Medals were also awarded to the top three winners in both levels, while medals from PSciJourn were conferred to the finalists and special citation awardee. Moreover, the school of the first place high school winner and the school media outfit of the first place college winner received Php5,000 cash prize each. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

College level winners and finalists. High school level winners and finalists.

SoutheaSt aSIa offIcedr. desiree m. hauteaRegional Coordinator Institute of Plant BreedingUniversity of the Philippines Los BañosCollege 4031 Laguna PhilippinesTelefax: +63 49 5365140

uS offIceInternational Programs213 Rice Hall, Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853 USA Tel.: +1 607 2556357 Fax: +1 607 2558186Email: absp2@cornell.edu

ABSPII is a USAID-funded consortium of public and private sector institutions that supports scientists, regulators, and the general public in developing countries to make informed decisions about agricultural biotechnology. Where demand exists, ABSPII focuses on the safe and effective development and commercialization of bio-engineered crops as a complement to traditional and organic agricultural approaches. The project helps boost food security, economic growth, nutrition, and environmental quality in East and West Africa, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

Additional information about ABSPII projects can be found at http://www.absp2.cornell.edu/

This newsletter is also available athttp://www.isaaa.org/Programs/supportprojects/abspii/

Vol VIII No 3july - december 2012

Editorial TeamRandy A. HauteaDesiree M. HauteaMariechel J. NavarroRhodora R. AldemitaJenny A. Panopio

Writers/ContributorsSophia M. MercadoJenny A. PanopioDewi Suryani

Design and LayoutClement Dionglay

SoutheASt ASIA

Newsletter

A B S PIIA “Training of Trainers”

workshop on “The Role of Biotechnology in Potato

Breeding and its Regulations in Indonesia” was held in Bogor on December 20, 2012. About 40 farmers, agricultural officers, and scientists from Tosari, Banjarnegara, Bandung, Pangalengan, Garut and Bogor participated in the workshop. It aimed to build biotech knowledge of stakeholders especially government officials and farmers in application of biotechnology in potato crop breeding. It encouraged farmers, agricultural officers and scientist to share their knowledge on potato breeding technology to their colleagues especially in their region. Drs. M. Herman and Dinar Ambarwati, both of Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD), discussed biotechnology products and its regulations in Indonesia and biotechnology applications in potato trait improvement, respectively. Experts from the Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute (IVRI) also served as resource persons; Mrs. Euis Suryaningsih shared information on potato pest and disease management and Mr. Kusmana discussed potato variety improvement through conventional breeding. The workshop was jointly organized by the Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center (IndoBIC) and ABSPII. It was supported by the SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Center for Tropical Biology (BIOTROP), Cornell University and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). (D Suryani)

Training of Trainers Workshop on Potato Breeding Conducted in Indonesia

(Left to right) Workshop moderator Dr. Edy Listanto and resource speakers Dr. M. Herman, Mrs. Euis Suryaningsih, Dr. Dinar Ambarwati and Mr. Kusmana.

IndoBIC and ABSPII Launch Book on Biotech and Potato Breeding in Indonesia

A book on the role of biotechnology in potato breeding and its regulations in Indonesia is now available for Indonesian agricultural

stakeholders, especially farmers and agricultural officers. The book titled “Buku Peran Bioteknologi Dalam Pemuliaan Kentang dan Regulasinya di Indonesia” covers three main topics: 1) conventional potato breeding technique; 2) biotech potato with resistance from late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans; and 3) biotech crops and its regulations in Indonesia. It was launched during a “Training of Trainers” workshop on biotechnology and potato breeding for farmers and agricultural officers in Bogor on December 20, 2012. The book is the result of a close collaboration between a team of authors from the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD) and Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute (IVRI). It was edited by senior journalist and an agricultural observer Mr. Herianto Lingga. For more information about the book, contact Ms. Dewi Suryani (dewisuryani@biotrop.org) of the Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center (IndoBIC). (D Suryani)