QUEZON CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) today launched the Pinoy Biotech Hub during the opening of the 22nd National Biotechnology Week (NBW), offering an accessible digital platform that connects ordinary Filipinos directly to local innovations, practical solutions for specific community needs, and potential collaborators across agriculture, natural resources, and environmental management.
Developed by the DENR Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) alongside the NBW Inter-Agency Steering Committee, the hub functions as a centralized resource that integrates technologies from different government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners to help users discover innovations and foster research collaborations.
The week-long National Biotechnology Week showcased biotechnology across key areas, including agricultural biotechnology for climate-smart agriculture and other applications in farming; environmental biotechnology for wastewater treatment and soil restoration; marine biotechnology for the sustainable use and management of marine resources; and biosafety and biotechnology capacity-building, covering biosafety education and the development of future-ready biotechnology workforce.
The event also highlighted science and technology applications of biotechnology for agriculture and natural resources, demonstrating how research and innovation can support sustainable resource management.
In a keynote message delivered by DENR Undersecretary Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr., Environment Secretary Juan Miguel “Mitch” T. Cuna emphasized biotechnology’s role in tackling environmental challenges—ranging from restoring degraded lands and producing quality planting materials to conserving native species and strengthening evidence-based policies for natural resource management.
“Moving forward, the DENR is committed to strengthening research and innovation in environmental biotechnology, deepening partnerships that can help bring promising technologies from the laboratory into actual practice, and ensuring that these innovations are developed and applied responsibly, with our ecosystems and communities in mind,” Secretary Cuna noted.
Among the innovations showcased was H2Organics™, a new hydroseeding-hydrogel technology developed by Rejaynil M. Valdez, RCh., Chemist IV at the DENR Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), designed to rehabilitate mined-out and degraded lands.
ERDB Director Lormelyn E. Claudio noted that the hub addresses long-standing information-sharing gaps across institutions. Developed by ERDB with contributions from the NBW Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC), the platform is envisioned as a collective resource whose impact relies on ongoing contributions from participating stakeholders.
Parallel to the launch, representatives from eight government agencies opened a public biotechnology exhibit. The interactive display features advancements from member agencies including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Industry and academic partners such as the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), CropLife Philippines, Health and Dietary Supplement Association of the Philippines (HADSAP), the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, Technological University of the Philippines-Taguig, and The UPLB Genetics Society also showcased their biotechnology innovations.
Participating agencies reaffirmed their support for the responsible, ethical, and science-based advancement of biotechnology by signing a ceremonial digital wall of commitment.
The DENR chairs the 2026 NBW IASC and leads this year’s celebration through the ERDB. Established under Presidential Proclamation No. 1414, NBW promotes modern biotechnology for food security, health, environmental sustainability, and industrial growth. Its observance was moved from October to September under Proclamation No. 921 (s. 2025) to align with Global Biotechnology Week.
The 2026 NBW runs from September 21 to 24 under the theme: “Biotek para sa Kinabukasan: Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kagandahan, Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran.” #