CALABARZON Partners and DA-Livestock Biotechnology Center Kickstart the 1st Regional Livestock Biotechnology Symposium and Technology Exhibit
“With the pandemic, nauso yung mga emerging technologies, ang pinopromote na ngayon ng WHO and other veterinary institutions, as well, in response sa bird flu and ASF is to develop point-of-care tests, which is yung mga tests na pwedeng gawin pen-side or at the farm to be able to arrive at a diagnosis at least yung screening, kung ano yung mga sakit na tumama don sa farm,” said Dr. Dennis V. Umali, Ph.D. Professor, Univerisity of the Philippines – Los Baños during the morning session of the 1st Regional Livestock Biotechnology Symposium happening today at the FPJ Arena, San Jose, Batangas.
Dr. Umali was the first plenary speaker for the integrated disease diagnostics and food safety plenary session. The second speaker, Dr. Windell L. Rivera, Ph.D., Professor and Scientist at the University of the Philippines – Diliman discussed food safety focused on the Salmonella pathogen. The last to speak was Dr. Raul V. Destura, MD, Research Professor at the University of the Philippines – Manila.
“59% of diseases are of animal origin, and if we work with you guys, we are 10 years advanced,” a call to action emphasized by plenary speaker, Dr. Raul Destura. Dr. Destura is a medical doctor by profession and also a public health expert working on the diagnosis of selected infectious diseases in the Philippines.
As part of the build-up activities of the 20th National Biotechnology Week, the 1st Regional Livestock Biotechnology Symposium (RLBS)runs from October 10-11, 2024. With the theme, “Gawang Pinoy, Tatak Biotek: Pagsulong sa Masaganang Industriya ng Paghahayupan”, this activity also coincides with the 4th National Livestock and Poultry Month Celebration of the Department of Agriculture.
A biotechnology center under the DA-Biotech Program, the DA-LBC conducts a series of capacity-building activities such as scientific conferences and symposia. The 1st International Livestock Biotechnology Symposium (ILBS) was first conducted in 2016 serving as a platform for scientific findings and research collaboration. The RLBS aims to connect local experts and industry players in the Luzon Region.
By: Marah A. Arquero