Successful Bt Corn Farmers. Department of Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo, Jr., (center) presents the outstanding Bt corn farmers turned agribusinessmen (L-R) Francisco Piagola (2nd from left), Peviano Soriano, Carlos Guevarra, Jesus Cavino, and Jay Narciso who gave inspiring testimonies on how the technology increased farm productivity and income.  Others in the photo are Crop Life Philippines Inc., President Rosalino Rondon (extreme left) and National Corn Research and Development and Extension Director Artemio Salazar (extreme right).  Bt corn is modified with a specific gene from natural-occurring soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis inserted to produce a protein that protects the corn plant from Asiatic corn borers, considered as most destructive among corn pests.  The safety and implications of Bt products to both human health and environment are regulated and monitored by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines, headed by the Department of Science and Technology (Mary Charlotte Fresco, S&T Media Service)