By Jennilou Pigao

The Department of Science and Technology-National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) has chosen Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) to be its official partner in Region I for its nationwide results promotion activities on the project, “Horizon Scan on the Biotechnology Path of the Philippines (HSBP)."

As part of the new partnership, a promotional activity was held on June 11 at the Center for Flexible Learning to advance biotechnology, biosafety, and futures-thinking among students, faculty, government workers, and industry players.

Present at the activity were Mr. Leocris Batucan Jr., NCBP-HSBP Project Leader, and DOST-NCBP S&T Fellow; Dr. Aimee Yvonne Criselle Aman, DOST- PCHRD S&T Fellow, and the Technical Panel Chair for Health System; Dr. Sittie Aisha Macabago, Assistant Professor of the University of Santo Tomas and the Technical Panel Chair for Science Education and Talent Retention; Ms. Marie Lizette Anne Rivera, Project Administrative Aide V; Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, MMSU vice president for research, development, and innovation; and Dr. Doreen Domingo, dean of the MMSU graduate school.

The HSBP project is a futures thinking elicitation study where experts in biotechnology and allied fields from multiple sectors were invited to identify and discuss the technologies and issues relevant to the future of Philippine biotechnology.  

During the promotional activity, the excellent results of the HSBP study were showcased. This comprehensive study, covering various operational areas identified in the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Pagtanaw 2050, is the first DOST-funded inter-disciplinal and trans-disciplinal project on Philippine-focused STI Foresight and Strategic Plan. The study also includes blue economy, materials, information and communication technology, science education and talent retention, food security and nutrition, health systems, energy and water, and environment and climate change.

In her message, Dr. Prima Fe Franco, MMSU vice president for academic affairs, extended her gratitude to DOST-NCBP for choosing MMSU as their partner in Region I. Having been involved in the nationwide promotion of biotechnology at the University of the Philippines, Dr. Franco commended NCBP for spearheading the biotechnology initiative to uplift the lives of Filipinos.

In 1990, NCBP was created through Executive Order No. 430, to coordinate and harmonize inter-agency and multi-sector efforts in developing biosafety policies in all genetic engineering experiments in the country. NCBP is composed of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and the Department of Science and Technology.