ISAAA, Inc. and DA-BPO Release Fifth Issue of Pinoy Biotek Magazine

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Inc. (ISAAA, Inc.) released the fifth issue of Pinoy Biotek Magazine. In partnership with the Department of Agriculture - Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO), Pinoy Biotek Magazine Vol. 3 No. 1 presents stories and innovations that showcase the vital role of biotechnology in strengthening Philippine agriculture and improving the lives of Filipino farmers and communities.

Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, Executive Director of ISAAA Inc., highlighted the role of biotechnology in strengthening Philippine agriculture and addressing emerging challenges brought by climate change. In her message, she expressed her gratitude to the researchers, contributors, scholars, farmers, and ISAAA Inc. team who helped bring the latest issue to life. “We hope this edition continues to inspire greater appreciation and support for homegrown biotechnologies that contribute to food security, sustainability, and a more resilient Philippines,” she said.

Dr. Paul C. Limson, Director of DA-BPO, reaffirmed the program’s commitment to advancing agricultural biotechnology to build a sustainable and climate-resilient future for Philippine agriculture. “We are dedicated to translating scientific work in the laboratory into tangible outcomes and lasting benefits for our farming communities,” he said. Dr. Limson expressed his appreciation to readers for their continued support and hoped that the stories featured in the magazine would provide valuable insights into agricultural biotechnology.

Pinoy Biotek Magazine Vol. 3 No. 1 features the Climate-Smart Water Buffalo (CSWB) Program, which adopts a multi-layered approach that integrates environmental monitoring, physiological assessment, and molecular tools to improve buffalo productivity under climate stress. The issue also showcases the program’s development of the first probe-based qPCR genotyping of thermotolerance traits in livestock in the Philippines, which could open opportunities for large-scale genetic screening of resilience-related traits.

This issue also featured the CasDro Project (Philippine Cassava Adaptability, Drought Screening, and Genetic Diversification), led by researchers from Central Luzon State University (CLSU). The project combines plant breeding and modern biotechnology to identify cassava varieties that could survive drought while still maintaining good yields. The feature puts the spotlight on cassava as a biotech-enabled solution for food security.

The magazine also presented efforts to improve the sustainability of the Philippine rubber industry. It features the research, development, and extension initiatives of the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), which explores the characterization, conservation, and effective use of rubber germplasm. The article also discussed ongoing efforts to integrate biotechnology into rubber research to accelerate the traditionally lengthy process of clonal development.

The DA Biotech Program also supported research on developing Fusarium wilt resistance in Cavendish bananas using in vitro techniques, particularly somaclonal variation. Through the efforts of the Institute of Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (IPB-UPLB) and the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), developments in producing Fusarium wilt-resistant Cavendish ‘Grand Naine’ bananas could contribute to the long-term resilience of the Philippine banana industry.

This edition also highlighted the Philippines’ continuing progress in agricultural biotechnology by providing an overview of recent genetically modified (GM) crop approvals in the country from January 2025 to April 2026. This overview discusses the regulatory developments shaping the adoption of agricultural biotechnology in the Philippines.

Beyond research projects, Pinoy Biotek Magazine Vol. 3, No. 1 also presented the stories of two biotech corn farmers whose productivity and livelihoods had improved through modern agricultural biotechnology. One story featured Dorenne Roche, a third-generation farmer and second-generation biotech corn farmer from Sara, Iloilo, while another told the story of Engr. Raul Carreras, a civil engineer who became a leading farmer-scientist in his community in Tigaon, Camarines Sur.

The magazine also featured the journey of two DA Biotech Program scholars through its Pinoy Biotek on Spotlight section as they pursued excellence in their respective fields. Edward Banico’s story traced how his fear of science turned into curiosity and purpose after receiving a DA Biotech scholarship. He eventually worked with the Virology and Vaccine Research Program under the Department of Science and Technology and pursued graduate studies at UPLB under the Pandemic Response Preparedness for Emerging Bat-borne Viruses from Rural and Peri-Urban Environments (PREVENT) Project. Meanwhile, Centenna Silverio, who earned a degree in agricultural biotechnology from UPLB through the DA Biotech Program scholarship, went on to work as a Field Application Scientist for a private company. In this role, she served as a resource speaker and facilitator in molecular biology training workshops for researchers and faculty members.

Access and download the complete collection of Pinoy Biotek Magazines on the ISAAA, Inc. website. For inquiries, send an email to knowthescience@isaaa.org.

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