In celebration of the 13th National Biotechnology Week, the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) and Marine Resources Research Division (MRRD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), conducted the S&T Aquatic Forum at Brentwood Suites, Quezon City.
The forum was in line with the theme “Bioteknolohiya Para sa Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kagandahan, Kabuhayan, at Kaunlaran Lamang ang Masa at Magsasaka sa Limang “K” ng Bioteknolohiya” Dr. Loureeda C. Darvin, Supervising Science Research Specialist of IARRD delivered the Opening Remarks on behalf of Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora.
“Every year, PCAARRD looks at the National Biotechnology Week as an opportunity to share DOST-PCAARRD R&D initiatives on agriculture biotechnology to boost agricultural productivity for inclusive growth,” Dr. Darvin said during the opening ceremony.
The S&T Aquatic Forum showed how genomics and biotechnology impact on various areas addressed by traditional disciplines, including the management of aquaculture and marine resources, and provided information on the advances in the application of genomics for aquaculture and marine biotechnology.
Dr. Rachel Ravago-Gotanco of UP Diliman – Marine Science Institute (UPD-MSI) presented her research on “Delineating Mangrove Crab Stocks and Management Units: Genomic Approaches” and “Genomic Approaches to Enhance Sea Cucumber Production and Value: Initiatives for Capture and Culture Production.”
During the open forum, Dr. Annette Meñez of UPD-MSI shared her experiences and thoughts on the importance of biotechnology and encouraged the participants to pursue a career in biotechnology.
Dr. Mari-Ann M. Acedera in her closing remarks, thanked Dr. Gotanco and everyone who participated and took part in the forum and encouraged the millennials to take part and invest in biotechnology.
A total of 57 students, professors, researchers, and other professionals coming from different agencies and academic institutions attended the activity. The participants acquired new knowledge on the concept and importance of biotechnology, diffusion of information and a milestone for biotechnology advancement.