Dr. Edwin P. Alcantara, a researcher at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), won the best oral paper presentation award during the 40th anniversary celebration and convention of the Pest Management Council of the Philippines (PMCP) on May 5-8 at the Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza in Baguio City. Dr. Alcantara heads the Bionformatics and Drug Discovery Program of BIOTECH.

The oral paper presentation entitled, "A Multiyear, Large-scale Comparison of Arthropod Communities on Commercially Managed Bt and non-Bt Corn Fields," discussed the results of a science-based risk assessment of the long term impact of Bt corn on beneficial insects and other arthropods.

The convention's theme, "PMCP at 40: Facing the Challenges of a Changing Environment" encourages its members to look back and see how far the council has come since its establishment in 1969, and how it can meet future challenges. The scientific gathering served as a venue for researchers, teachers, scientists, extension workers, and pest industry players to discuss the latest issues and trends in pest management.

The PMCP aims to encourage and promote the development of knowledge on pest management through scientific inquiry, research and application, and interchange of technical information among members. (LL Moran, JP Villano)