I. Executive Summary
The National Biotechnology Week (NBW) was established through Proclamation No. 1414 (s. 2007) to promote the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology in advancing food security, health, environmental sustainability, and industry development. Proclamation No. 921 (s. 2025) subsequently moved its observance from the fourth week of November to the fourth week of September, aligning it with Global Biotechnology Week.
For year 2026, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) serves as the lead agency and Chair of the Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC). The chairmanship was formally turned over by the Department of Education (DepEd) to the DENR during the closing ceremony of the 21st NBW on October 30, 2025, and officially accepted by the ERDB Director Lormelyn E. Claudio, on behalf of the DENR Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla, on December 2, 2025. The DENR, through the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), will lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the 2026 NBW celebration.
Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC) & Partners
The celebration is organized by eight core government entities, led by the 2026 Chair, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
IASC Core Agencies:
Department of Agriculture (DA)
Department of Health (DOH),
Department of Science and Technology (DOST),
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),
Department of Education (DepEd),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Partner Organizations:
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Inc. (ISAAA)
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Croplife Philippines Inc.
University of the Philippines Diliman
Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP)
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
University of the Philippines Los Baños BIOTECH
University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Incorporated.
Technological University of the Philippines
Health and Dietary Supplement Association of the Philippines
The UPLB Genetics Society
Objectives
Generally, the celebration aims to promote the vital role of biotechnology in developing solutions for the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of the environment and natural resources. Specifically, it aims to:
1. Recognize milestones and developments in biotechnology research and development in agriculture, health, environment, and industrial fields;
2. Increase public awareness, education, and understanding regarding the use and benefits of biotechnology towards the betterment of human life; and
3. Foster collaboration among research institutions, academe, industries, and other sectors to further the biotechnology advancements.
IV. Target Participants
Youth and Academe
National Government Agencies
Non-Government Organizations
Partners of the Inter-Agency Steering Committee
Local Government Units
Media Partners
General Public
Industries