LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) convened agricultural biotechnology experts, its project management team, and a technical reviewer for a writeshop on 24–25 September 2026 at the SEARCA Residence Hotel, Los Baños, Laguna to review and enhance a training module on agricultural biotechnology for public servants. The activity was conducted under the Strengthening the Enabling Environment for the Development and Uptake of Modern Agricultural Biotechnology (SEED) Project, implemented by SEARCA and funded by the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) through the Biotechnology Program Office. The writeshop focused on making the training module more comprehensive, accessible, and science-based, while responding to the information needs of public servants in the SEED project areas.
The training module was originally developed in 2024 under SEARCA's Building Understanding and Mobilizing Public Support for Agricultural Biotechnology (BUMP UP Biotech) Project. The current enhancement builds on that module by incorporating updated scientific and technical information, specialist inputs, and lessons relevant to local government units (LGUs) involved in agricultural biotechnology.
The SEARCA SEED project management team facilitated the workshop. The team comprised Ms. Rochella Lapitan, Program Specialist; Ms. Krissane Cabral, Project Associate; and Ms. Maricel Adique, Project Assistant, all of the Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD). Dr. Ma. Stella Tirol, a retired faculty member and former dean of the College of Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), served as the Lead Technical and Editorial Reviewer.
The writeshop brought together subject matter specialists who provided technical and editorial inputs on the different lessons in the training module.
Dr. Maribel Zaporteza, Assistant Professor 4 at the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, UPLB, develops the instructional content on "Basic Concepts of Biotechnology," covering concepts, genes and heredity, biotechnology products, and applications such as biofertilizers and Bt corn.
Dr. Nina Gloriani, former Dean of the UP Manila College of Public Health and former Director of the SEAMEO TROPMED Regional Center for Public Health, Hospital Administration, Environmental and Occupational Health, develops the technical content on the lesson on "Biotechnology for Health and the Environment," focusing on applications in human and animal health, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), environmental benefits, and safety considerations.
Mr. Carlo Custodio, Jr., Philippine Country Coordinator of the Program for Biosafety Systems, leads the development of the lesson on "Biotechnology Risks and Safeguards," which covers risk assessment, biosafety principles, regulatory approaches, and emerging issues.
From left: Dr. Maribel Zaporteza of the UPLB Institute of Biological Sciences, Dr. Nina Gloriani of the UP Manila College of Public Health, Mr. Carlo Custodio, Jr. of the Program for Biosafety Systems Philippines, Dr. Ruby Cristobal of the UPLB College of Development Communication (CDC), Ms. Jenny Panopio of the Pest Management Council of the Philippines, Inc., and Dr. Maria Stella Tirol of the UPLB CDC, provided technical inputs during the writeshop.
Ms. Jenny Panopio, President of the Pest Management Council of the Philippines, Inc., and Senior Advisor, Philippines, at Narraharvest Advisors Pte. Ltd., prepares the learning material on "Local Governance for Agricultural Biotechnology: Policies, Programs, and Implementation," focusing on the Philippine regulatory framework and the roles of LGUs in implementing and supporting agricultural biotechnology.
Dr. Ruby Cristobal, Senior Lecturer at the College of Development Communication, UPLB, designs the learning topic on "BioTekTok sa Media: Talking about Agri-Biotechnology in the Media," focusing on LGU media engagement, effective biotechnology storytelling, and practical skills in writing press releases, handling press conferences and media interviews, and crisis communication.
As Lead Technical and Editorial Reviewer, Dr. Maria Stella Tirol, Former Dean of the College of Development Communication, UPLB, provides overall review to ensure the training module's accuracy, coherence, clarity, and quality.
The updated training module is intended to serve as a practical resource for public servants, particularly those in LGUs involved in communicating, implementing, and supporting agricultural biotechnology initiatives.