ISAAA Inc. and DA Biotech Forge Partnership for Transformative Public Engagements on Biotechnology in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the pioneers in biotech crop adoption, particularly in Asia. In 2002, the Philippine government granted commercial approval to Bt corn, a product of biotechnology with enhanced resistance to the Asian corn borer. However, biotechnology R&D had started long before this landmark approval. In 1979, the National Institutes of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology (currently known as the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology or BIOTECH) was established. As of April 2025, the Bureau of Plant Industry Approval Registry contains 111 event approvals for direct use, 11 events for propagation, and 4 events for field trial.

Public acceptance of biotechnology in the country is generally favorable, but the information gap remains evident among stakeholders. Actions by biotech critics led by local and international environmental groups have delayed the deployment of biotech crops designed to address malnutrition (vitamin A-enriched rice) and insect pests (insect-resistant eggplant). To address these challenges, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Inc., and the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA Biotech) launched the fourth phase of its Information, Education, and Communication project titled Know the Science (KTS).

Inclusive knowledge sharing and policy development

The last phase of the project (KTS 3), which was completed in October 2024, successfully advanced biotech awareness and policy development in the Philippines by bridging knowledge gaps across digital and physical platforms. The initiative achieved a significant digital footprint, reaching over 1.78 million individuals through its "Ask the questions, know the science" campaign, while simultaneously engaging local stakeholders through public briefings in Iloilo and General Santos, a Senior High School boot camp, and National Biotechnology Week (NBW). To support evidence-based understanding, the project produced a suite of new IEC materials, updated the GM Approval Database, and released critical studies on public perception and media discourse regarding agri-biotechnology.

Transformative public engagements on biotechnology in the Philippines

Designed to build upon the successes of past public awareness and engagement activities on biotechnology, the next phase of the project (KTS4) covers various activities for the general public, focusing on important information, education, and communication initiatives through the triple E approach (Engage, Empower, and Evaluate).

The initiative will drive public awareness and promote homegrown biotech products by utilizing diverse platforms, including the Pinoy Biotek radio and podcast series, social media competitions, visual storytelling exhibits, and the creation of six high-quality IEC resources. To empower stakeholders, the project will facilitate capacity building through experiential media caravans, student boot camps, and dialogue-driven coffee sessions, while simultaneously supporting accurate reporting via a dedicated media center. These efforts will be grounded in rigorous evaluation, utilizing quadmedia monitoring and impact surveys to assess performance and strategize future initiatives.

“Building on the significant strides KTS has made in communicating biotechnology, KTS 4 marks a strategic evolution. Together with DA Biotech, we have fortified our approach to not just communicate, but to truly transform public discourse. We remain committed to shaping a society where every Filipino is empowered by science," said Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, project leader of KTS 4 and Executive Director of ISAAA, Inc.

Stay tuned to Know the Science on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for the latest happenings in biotechnology in the Philippines.