The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will showcase its biotechnology research and development efforts in the upcoming National Biotechnology Week (NBW) on 23-28 November 2015 at SM City Dasmariñas, Cavite.

This year’s theme “Bioteknolohiya: Kaagapay ng Mamamayan para sa Pambansang Kaunlaran, Angat tayo sa Bioteknolohiya, underscores the benefits and contributions of biotechnology to agriculture and food security, delivery of equitable health care service, sustainable environment, and development of industries and the economy. The event will provide platform for scientists, policymakers, private sectors, and students to come together and share stories on how innovations on biotechnology has benefited their lives.

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), both attached agencies of DOST, have lined up series of activities, highlight of which is the forum on newborn screening. Keynote speaker is Dr. Maria Melanie Liberty B. Alcausin, Director of New Born Screening Reference Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila.

Aside from newborn screening forum, the week long celebration features exhibits, presentations, writeshops and poster contest.

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1414, NBW is annually celebrated every last week of November. The event is co-organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippine, Departments of Agriculture, Environment, Interior and Local Government, and Trade and Industry.

Other partners include the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture-BiotechnologyInformationCenter, Asian Farmer’s Regional Network, University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Agricultural (UPLBCA) Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster.

Registration to the event is free. For more details about the activities related to health, please contact Ms. Magdalena Manaig at mpmanaig@pchrd.dost.gov.ph or Ms. Arnie Luna at ltluna@pchrd.dost.gov.ph or call +63 837 75 34.