BPI Biotechnology Office Leads the 2024 Insect Resistance Management Annual Review

By:Darlene Joy Siena, Raphael Danigem Dimaya

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) Biotechnology Office successfully convened the 2024 Insect Resistance Management (IRM) Annual Review on December 12-13, 2024, at the Bayview Park Hotel Manila in a hybrid format. The event, organized by the Biotechnology Office and the BPI Biotechnology Core Team - Post Approval Monitoring Group (BCT-PAMG), brought together key stakeholders to assess the progress of IRM initiatives. The sessions were hosted by Ms. Julia Ysabel Del Rosario, Science Research Technician I, on Day 1, and Ms. Sophia Angelica Dizon, Science Research Technician III, on Day 2.

The review engaged members of the IRM Advisory Team (IRMAT), BCT-PAMG, Department of Agriculture Regional Crop Protection Centers (DA-RCPC), technology developers, and other key stakeholders. The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of current IRM strategies, strengthen monitoring efforts, and refine policies to ensure the long-term durability of Bt corn technologies in the Philippines.

The event opened with an invocation and the national anthem, followed by a compelling welcome address from BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D. Setting the stage for the discussions ahead, Ms. Sheeb Kaiserin Quiaonza, Senior Agriculturist, provided an insightful overview of the event’s rationale, emphasizing the pivotal role of IRM in safeguarding biotech corn technologies from the threat of insect resistance.

A major highlight of Day 1 was the presentation on the “Status of GM Corn Adoption in the Philippines” by Mr. Raphael Danigem Dimaya, Science Research Specialist I. His report covered 2024 adoption rates, farmer demographics, GM vs. non-GM corn areas, and five-year adoption trends, providing valuable insights into biotech crop utilization.

The afternoon session turned the spotlight on industry players, as Corteva Agriscience, Syngenta Philippines, Bayer CropScience, and Bioseed shared updates on their IRM sentinel site monitoring activities. Discussions covered refuge compliance, sampling and testing, monitoring results, and challenges in implementation. Permit holders were reminded of the planned inspection of seed blending facilities to ensure adherence to the prescribed Bt-to-non-Bt seed ratio.

Dr. Lilia A. Portales, Co-Chair of BPI-PAMG, opened the second day with a recap of Day 1’s discussions, underscoring the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, industry players, and scientific experts to sustain the effectiveness of IRM strategies.

A substantial part of the day focused on enhancing regulatory frameworks. Ms. Darlene Siena, Science Research Specialist I, guided participants through the draft guidelines for IRM Plan submissions for Single and Stacked Transformation Events. She clarified that not all transformation events undergo immediate market release, particularly those intended for product development and stacking, which require customized IRM strategies.

Dr. Peter Magdaraog, Division Chief of the Crop Pest Management Division, delivered an eye-opening presentation on “The Fall Armyworm as a Major Corn Pest”, highlighting its devastating impact on corn production, resistance risks, and the urgency of adaptive IRM strategies.

In the afternoon, discussions took a regulatory turn as Dr. Joel Adorada, Chair of BPI-PAMG, led a review of potential updates to DA-Memorandum Circular No. 2, s. 2014, which governs Bt corn deployment and monitoring. Stakeholders actively contributed feedback to refine policies, ensuring that regulatory measures remain responsive to evolving challenges and technological advancements.

The review concluded on a high note with Dr. Ma. Anita Bautista, Chair of DA-IRMAT, who commended stakeholders for their commitment to IRM compliance and emphasized the need for collective efforts in ensuring sustainable resistance management. BPI Assistant Director Ruel Gesmundo echoed the call for stronger partnerships and collective responsibility in fostering sustainable agricultural practices through robust IRM implementation.

The 2024 IRM Annual Review provided a critical platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, address emerging challenges, and refine IRM strategies. Moving forward, the continued collaboration between government agencies, technology developers, and researchers will play a pivotal role in strengthening biosecurity measures, ensuring the sustainability of biotech crops, and safeguarding Philippine agriculture against pest resistance threats.