Media Practitioners and Biotech Experts Discuss Biotech Updates in the Philippines

Over 40 media practitioners and key stakeholders participated in the Media Forum on Biotechnology R&D and Regulatory Landscape in the Philippines, organized by Science Communicators Philippines (SciCommPH), CropLife Philippines, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). Held on October 14, 2025, at the Century Park Hotel, Manila, the forum aimed to provide journalists with science-based updates, direct access to experts, and a platform for dialogue to strengthen media reporting on agri-biotech.

The plenary session focused on global and local updates about the current agri-biotech landscape. Ms. Kristine Grace Tome shared the 2024 global data of GM crop adoption, the recently approved GM crops and their traits, the GM crops in the pipeline, and gene-editing breakthroughs in plants and animals.

“I hope that as we fulfill our pact for the future, we take a hopeful perspective on biotech for our agriculture and food. Biotech is an innovation designed to contribute to food security and other pressing global challenges. Let us harness this technology and provide safeguards to ensure that the benefits of biotechnology reach those who need it most,” said Ms. Tome.

Mr. Joy Bartolome Duldulao of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Dr. Lourdes Taylo of the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding also tackled Malusog Rice and Bt eggplant, respectively. Dr. Clarisse Gonzalvo from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Development Communication (Devcom) shared the findings of her survey on biotech farmers' perception of the 2015 biotech ban

“If the precautionary principle tells us ‘when in doubt, stop,' then social science tells us ‘when in doubt, listen'—listen to the farmers whose lives depend on these decisions,” said Dr. Gonzalvo.

A panel discussion with experts from the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program Office, and PhilRice delved into policies and programs that may help catalyze biotech adoption. Dr. Winifredo Dagli, Chair of the UPLB Devcom's Department of Science Communication, moderated the discussion.

For more information, send an email to knowledgecenter@isaaa.org