The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) is proposing a 20-percent increase in its 2007 budget to fasttrack several researches on biotechnology in aquaculture. "We have asked the Department of Foreign Affairs’ international commitment fund for an increase in our budget for next year because we are targeting to advance some of the biotech researches in aquaculture that are in line with the Department of Agriculture’s objectives of expanding aquaculture in the country," said SEAFDEC aquaculture department chief Dr. Joebert D. Toledo. Toledo said the SEAFDEC’s budgetary allocation has been dipping since 2000, resulting in the shelving and postponement of its research and development (R&D) work on aquaculture. This year, its budget is only P100 million, a significant reduction from its highest appropriation of P220 million in 2000.

Felix, R. C. (2006, July 3). SEAFDEC seeks 20% higher budget for 2007. The Philippine Star, p. B-7.