ISAAA Recognized as International Partner by Philippine Agric Council

For its unrelenting support to the biotechnology program of the National Agriculture and Resources Research System, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), conferred recognition to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) during its 35th Anniversary held 9 November 2007 at Hotel Intercontinental, Manila, Philippines. With its theme 'Strategic Alliance and Focused S&T for Competitive Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources (AFNR) Products and Services,' ISAAA was cited for its crucial role as broker of the gene technologies that fast-tracked the transformation work in papaya and sweet potato as well as in capacity building for risk management and communication. Biotechnology is one of the priority areas in the Philippine Medium Term Development Plan.

Dr. Randy A. Hautea, ISAAA's global coordinator, accepted the award which was presented by the Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro, and PCARRD's executive director, Dr. Patricio S. Faylon.

Secretary Alabastro stressed that PCARRD's significant accomplishments were made possible because of synergy of partnerships and collaboration while Dr. Faylon emphasized that complementation is the order of things by which PCARRD will implement its program in the coming years. Through biotechnology and capitalizing on strategic partnership and alliances, PCARRD is determined to produce globally competitive products and services for efficient food production.

For additional information, contact Sonny Tababa of the SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center at spt@agri.searca.org.