DA Biotech Program

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿!

AI is transforming the way we grow, connect, and solve real-world challenges. This year, we ride the wave of innovation as the Philippines brings together innovators across ASEAN for the 2026 National Innovation Day with the theme, “𝘈𝘎𝘖𝘚: 𝘈𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩, 𝘖𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘚𝘌𝘈𝘕.” 💡

Proudly an official ASEAN event in support of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship.

Don’t miss it. 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟴–𝟮𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. Watch the livestream through the official Filipinnovation page. 🎥 See you there!

🌟 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲!🌟

Nominations are officially OPEN for the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀!🎉

For 11 years, we have celebrated the brilliant minds and dedicated champions who use biotechnology to drive positive, lasting change in the Philippines. Now, we are looking for the next batch of trailblazers.

Do you know an outstanding individual making a significant impact in agri-fisheries, health, policy, or environmental sustainability? We are looking for passionate farmers, innovative researchers, forward-thinking innovators, dedicated civil servants, inspiring advocates, and outstanding students.

Give them the recognition they deserve! Nominate them today and help us honor the heroes working toward our science-driven, food-secure, and sustainable future. 🌱

📅 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: May 31, 2026
🔗 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 & 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺: tinyurl.com/2026ffob
📩 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁: Send your accomplished nomination forms via email to [email protected], addressed to: Dr. Paul C. Limson, DVM Program Director, DA-Biotech Program Office

Beyond fermentation and Egyptian mummification, traditional biotechnology includes treating diseases and infections. Hutchings et al. (2019) note that more than 2000 years ago, poultices of moldy bread were used to treat open wounds in Serbia, China, Greece, and Egypt (p. 72). It is also mentioned in the 𝘌𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘗𝘢𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘶𝘴, which dates back to about 1500 BC and is among the oldest preserved documents in medical knowledge, that moldy bread and medical soil are amongst the earliest forms of antibacterial remedy.

After returning from vacation in 1928, Alexander Fleming observed antimicrobial properties from molds growing on his contaminated culture plates that were accidentally left exposed. This groundbreaking discovery was published in 1929, where Fleming initially identified the observed mold strain as 𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘶𝘮 (𝘗.) 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘮 (p. 226). He also noted its advantages over well-known antiseptics at the time, and possible application in treating bacterial infections (Fleming, 1929, pp. 235-236).

In later studies, the strain was identified to be 𝘗. 𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘮 (formerly 𝘗. 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘮). However, a more recent study by Houbraken et al. (2011) using modern molecular phylogeny reidentified the strain as 𝘗. 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘴.

With continuous advancements in biotechnology, penicillin production has become cost-effective and efficient. Genetic engineering techniques have been employed to enhance production and develop new derivatives with improved properties (Haque et al., 2024, p. 1). With these developments, the penicillin class of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin, continues to be the primary treatment for a wide array of bacterial infections and remains a foundational pillar in clinical medicine.

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References:
1) Hutchings, M., Truman, A., & Wilkinson, B. (2019). Antibiotics: Past, present, and future. 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘖𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺, 51, 72-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2019.10.008
2) Fleming, A. (1929). On the antibacterial action of cultures of a Penicillium, with special reference to their use in the isolation of 𝘉. 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘻𝘢. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺, 10(3), 226-236.
3) Houbraken, J., Frisvad, J., & Samson, R. (2011). Fleming’s penicillin-producing strain is not 𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘮 but 𝘗. 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘴. 𝘐𝘔𝘈 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘴, 2(1), 87-95. https://doi.org/10.5598/imafungus.2011.02.01.12
4) Haque, M.A., Deb Nath, N., Johnston, T. V., Haruna, S., & Ahn, J. (2024). Harnessing biotechnology for penicillin production: Opportunities and environmental considerations. 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 946, Article 174236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174236

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘆𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗠 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝘀𝗮 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼, 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘄𝗮

Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro — Marso 3, 2026. Matagumpay na isinagawa ang pampublikong konsultasyon hinggil sa regulasyon ng Genetically Modified (GM) crops sa Oriental Mindoro, na dinaluhan ng mga opisyal ng Sangguniang Bayan, mga magsasaka ng mais, at kinatawan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan. Layunin ng pagtitipon na muling suriin ang Provincial Ordinance No. 002-2007, na mahigit dalawang dekada nang nagbabawal sa pagpasok, pagtatanim, at pagbebenta ng GMOs sa probinsya.

Walong munisipalidad ng Oriental Mindoro—Bulalacao, Mansalay, Bongabong, Bansud, Gloria, Naujan, Victoria, at Roxas—na bumubuo ng 97% ng produksyon ng mais sa probinsya ang nagkaisa sa panawagang muling pag-aralan ang ordinansa. Ayon kay Dr. Paul Limson, direktor ng Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program (DA Biotech Program), napatunayan na sa loob ng dalawang dekada na ang Bt corn ay nakatutulong sa pagtaas ng ani at kita ng mga magsasaka.

Sa ginanap na konsultasyon, binigyang-linaw ni Dr. Reynante Ordonio, scientist ng DA Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), at Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, eksperto sa regulasyon, na ang GMO crops ay dumaraan sa masusing risk assessment at regulatory review batay sa mga pamantayang internasyonal upang matiyak ang kaligtasan nito para sa tao, hayop, at kapaligiran.

Nagbahagi din ng inspirasyonal na karanasan si Ms. Rosalie Ellasus ng San Jacinto, Pangasinan —dating OFW at kilala bilang “Queen of Bt Corn.” Isa siya sa mga pinakaunang nagtanim ng Bt corn sa Pilipinas at sa Asya, at naging huwaran sa paggamit ng teknolohiyang ito. “Nang dahil sa Bt corn, malinis ang aking mga tanim at umaani ako ng hanggang 9.2 metric tons kada ektarya… Bumalik ako ng Pilipinas kahit na alam kong mahirap ang buhay. Pero kung bilib ka sa sarili mo, magiging matiyaga ka, walang imposible.” Ang kanyang kwento ay nagsilbing patunay na ang tamang teknolohiya ay maaaring magbago ng buhay ng mga magsasaka.

Bagama’t kilala ang Oriental Mindoro sa pagsusulong ng organikong pagsasaka alinsunod sa National Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (RA 10068), binigyang-diin sa konsultasyon na maaaring magsabay ang organic at biotechnology-based farming systems. Sa pamamagitan ng malinaw na regulasyon, production zoning, at pagpapanatili ng karapatan ng mga magsasaka na pumili ng binhi, maaaring makamit ang balanseng sistema ng agrikultura.

Nangako ang mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Bayan na magsusumite ng resolusyon upang hilingin sa pamahalaang panlalawigan ang muling pagrepaso at posibleng pag-amyenda ng ordinansa. Umaasa ang mga magsasaka na kasabay nito ay mas mapalawak ang suporta ng Department of Agriculture sa sektor ng mais at sa seguridad sa pagkain ng bansa.

Ang konsultasyon ay nagbigay-diin na ang anumang desisyon hinggil sa GM crops ay dapat nakabatay sa siyensya, malinaw na regulasyon, at bukas na pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga magsasaka. Sa pamamagitan ng tamang impormasyon, maayos na pamamahala ng panganib, at paggalang sa karapatan ng bawat magsasaka, masisiguro ang balanseng pag-unlad ng agrikultura sa Oriental Mindoro—isang agrikulturang ligtas, napapanatili, at nakaugat sa pangangailangan ng komunidad.

Ang programa ay naisagawa sa kolaborasyon ng Provincial Agriculturist Office ng Oriental Mindoro, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Oriental Mindoro PAgO, at DA Biotech Program. Layunin rin nitong na suportahan ang iba pang prayoridad na programa ng Department of Agriculture, kabilang ang National Corn Program at ang pagsusulong ng seguridad sa pagkain sa bansa.

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪: The Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program (DA Biotech Program), in collaboration with the DA Biotech Centers, conducts its 1st Semester FY 2026 Alignment Workshop

As the scope and complexity of DA biotechnology initiatives continue to expand, the DA Biotech Program and DA Biotech Centers are working to ensure a successful FY 2026. From February 25 to 27, 2026, the previous year’s implementation shall be evaluated to pinpoint best practices for replication, gaps for improvement, and harmonize future plans.

This collaboration is aligned with DA’s commitment to improve the livelihood of our farmers, fishers, and livestock growers, while helping ensure food security in the Philippines.

Challenging yet exciting years for agri-biotech are in the works! Follow our official page , and stay updated on the latest developments.

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀

A Kapihan session with members and staff of the House of Representatives was conducted on February 23, 2026, which provided a successful platform for open discussion on the policy and regulatory landscape shaping agricultural biotechnology in the Philippines.

The activity brought together legislators, regulators, technology developers, research institutions, and biotechnology stakeholders to examine how science-based regulation, institutional coordination, and legislative clarity can help strengthen the development and responsible commercialization of agri-biotech products.

“Scientific progress must be matched by clear policy,” stated former DA Secretary and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA, Inc.) chairperson, Dr. William Dar.

Echoing this sentiment, Rep. Raymond Adrian E. Salceda, Chair of the House Special Committee on Food Security, emphasized the value of sustained engagement between policymakers and the scientific community in addressing food security challenges.

Rep. Salceda remarked, “By fostering dialogue, promoting transparency, and ensuring adherence to rigorous regulatory standards, we can harness the full potential of biotechnology to address global challenges and improve quality of life.”

Additionally, Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco expressed support for legislative pathways—particularly through a possible joint resolution with the Senate—to provide clearer policy direction for biotechnology products currently navigating legal and regulatory processes. He was also identified by Rep. Salceda as the House of Representatives’ Biotech Champion.

In his closing message, DA Biotech Program Director Dr. Paul C. Limson underscored that advancing agricultural biotechnology requires a stable, science-based regulatory environment anchored on biosafety standards and public accountability.

“[T]his means keeping our standards clear and science-based, strengthening our public research institutions, and ensuring that farmers can responsibly benefit from technologies suited to our local needs,” he explained.

While this marked a big step toward tangible legislative support for agricultural biotechnology, continued dialogue with Congress remains essential to align innovation with national food security priorities.

The Kapihan session was made possible through the collaboration of the DA Biotech Program, ISAAA, Inc. and the House of Representatives Special Committee on Food Security, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering informed policy discussions on agricultural biotechnology.