Biotech: Solution to Food Security – Dep. House Speaker Garin

CaptionDeputy House Speaker Sharon Garin and Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director, DOST cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the 13th National Biotechnology Week. Also in photo are: Usec. Segfredo Serrano (extreme right) and Dir. Vivencio Mamaril, DA Biotech Program Office. Photo by PIA 

Food Security can be attained with the use of Biotechnology. This was stressed by Deputy House Speaker, Rep. Sharon Garin during the 13th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) where the Deputy Speaker was the keynote speaker during the opening ceremonies.

According to Rep. Garin, farmers that plant biotech crops are able to increase their crop yields and lower production costs. This results to increased revenues for the farmers and also environmentally friendly farming techniques being utilized.

The increase in crop yields will contribute significantly to national food security wherein food can be easily available and at lower prices for the consumption of Filipinos.

This is in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s  agricultural policy of national food security. The 13th NBW is led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in cooperation with other government agencies and institutions. 

This year’s theme is   “Bioteknolohiya para sa Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kagandahan, kabuhayan at Kaunlaran” and slogan “Lamang ang Masa at Magsasaka sa Limang “K” ng Bioteknolohiya”. 

The weeklong activity was held last No. 20 – 24, 2017 and it included seminars and trainings on the  application of biotechnology in food and agriculture, health and wellness, and environmental conservation through technology exhibits, trade fair, seminars and for a for teachers, students, farmers and consumers.  

One of the highlights of the 13th NBW is the annual Jose G. Burgos Jr. Awards for Biotechnology Journalism was held last November 22, 2017, at the Brentwood Suites in Quezon City. This is in honor of the late Jose Burgos, Jr., a former journalist, and farmer.

The other government institutions and agencies were the Department of Science & Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).