COCHRAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM ALUMNI INTERVIEW QUESTIONSBIOTECH TRAINING PROGRAMS

NAME of Fellow: JEROLET C. SAHAGUNOrganization and address: FEETILIZER & PESTICIDE AUTHORITY-DEPT OF AGRICULTURECity/Town: QUEZON CITYCountry: PHILIPPINESEmail Address: calawag_2upv@yahoo.com, Jerolet. Sahagun@gmail.comOffice Phone Number: (02)9208449Cochran Program attended and dates: Environmental Biosafety Short Course August 9-14, 2009

1. The Cochran program provided you with an in-depth overview of U.S. biotechnology systems.  How has that experience helped develop the framework and foundation for you to use in your home-country?

The US Biotechnology system is trade and growers friendly. The actual experience in the US farm and interaction with the biotech farmers are inspiring. The experience provided me an overview of how US biotechnology works and effective agricultural system. It is a best agricultural development approach that when I went back to the country I integrate it in the regulatory approach of the agency specifically on how to scientifically assess the biotechnology related applications in the agency most especially in the registration of Biotech based Plant-Incorporated Protectant (PIP).

2. Since the completion of the Cochran program, how have you been able to promote a greater understanding of the biotechnology to the public/ or opposition groups?

Opposition groups/individuals are also found within the agency even outside the organization. Right knowledge and information is necessary in order to explain our actions why we are allowing the entry, planting and commercialization of biotechnology based products in the Philippine soil.

3. Since the completion of the Cochran program, how have you been able to encourage the implementation of science-based biotechnology regulations in the Philippines?

Upon completion of the Cochran Program in 2009, I initiated the creation of Biotechnology Core Team in the Agency that is tasked to handle the internal scientific evaluation of the biotech based agricultural Plant-Incoprorated-Products which are applied for registration in the agency. Furthermore, I was designated to serve as the focal person of the agency to all biotechnology related concerns and commitments.

With the right knowledge and intellectual resources introduced during the Cochran program, I gained the basic foundation and experience to be able to deal the different issues and queries on biotechnology related subject.

4. How has the training improved science-based agricultural biotechnology regulations in the Philippines?

The experience, theories and references gathered during the training under the Cochran Program have been integrated in the FPA-DA Regulatory System considering several key issues in the biotechnology like its toxicology, biodiversity and environmental impact.

The aforesaid training increased my awareness on the importance of biotechnology and its regulation based on sound science.

5. Overall, how did the Cochran Fellowship Program assist you in your career development or enhancement?

The Cochran Fellowship Program is a career changing opportunity for a biotechnology regulator like me. Although I availed the training once, it was comprehensive and it provided me the opportunity to have an actual overview of the US Biotechnology system. Since my training on Biotech Environmental Biosafety in Michigan State University in 2009, I was designated by the agency as a coordinator to handle biotechnology related regulations and issues specifically on PIP, which is under the legal mandate of the agency.

Since 2013, we have a new Team of Biotech PIP internal evaluators in the agency. We are yet to issue a new guideline on our regulation but we lack training and experience on how really the biotech PIP is regulated. We wish to have a training on biotech PIP regulation most specifically the US Biotech Regulatory System which we can learn and adopt if necessary.