Around 50 participants from different partner agencies gathered for the two-day Consultative Workshop on Strengthening Partnerships for Biotechnology Advocacy in the Philippines held last June 26-27, 2019 in Los Baños, Laguna.

Ms. Ann Lopez, Director-Coordinator of the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO), spoke about the need for enhanced cooperation among the institutions. "The foundation of a national IEC program is a synergistic partnership. We hope that a stronger alliance will come out of this activity, driven by the principle that our IEC efforts and advocacies should be able to help our stakeholders and the general public make their own choice, have their own voice, and assert their right to technology access," she said. 

Science communication experts from the University of the Philippines Los Baños – College of Development Communication (UPLB-CDC) facilitated a series of activities to identify each agency's/organization's communication strategies and find areas of potential convergence as well as determine information gaps. Common issues experienced in implementing the communication and outreach activities were likewise brought up in the discussions. 

The group also developed umbrella key messages as an overall guide for their communication initiatives covering the 5 Ks of Biotech -- Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kagandahan, Kabuhayan, at Kaunlaran (Environment, Health, Wellness, Livelihood, and Development). The 5 Ks were developed as the focus of the National Biotechnology Week celebrations in the past years.

The workshop was organized by DA-BPO, in partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture – Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA-BIC), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), and CropLife Philippines.

For more details about biotechnology developments in the Philippines, visit the SEARCA BIC website.