IHG launches the first Institute-Based Biorisk Management
IHG LAUNCHES THE FIRST INSTITUTE-BASED BIORISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND BIORISK MANAGEMENT MANUAL IN UP MANILA
The Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) successfully launched the very first Institute-based Biorisk Management Committee and a biorisk management manual at the National Institutes of Health Conference Room in UP Manila last August 4, 2015. The occasion was graced by the presence of the IHG Director, Dr. Mary Anne D. Chiong, and the Chairperson of UP Manila Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee and Deputy Executive Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Raul V. Destura. Dr. Chiong gleefully introduced each member of the committee representing the different laboratories and offices of the Institute
. All of them underwent a comprehensive training to develop their skills as “biorisk managers.” The training included the principles of biosafety and biosecurity, different control measures, and on the basics of biorisk management. According to Mr. Reynand Jay Canoy, Chairperson of the IHG Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee, “IHG-BBC will work together to build a foundation of the Institute’s policies related to biosafety and biosecurity, as well as, the basis of the specific Standard Operating Procedures that have to be implemented in each laboratories.”
On the other hand, the biorisk management manual that was authored by Mr. Canoy and approved by Dr. Chiong, was presented in the same occasion. The biorisk management manual will serve as the basis of all policies of the Institute regarding biosafety, biosecurity and biorisk management. The manual is both instructive and prescriptive in nature and in accordance with the requirements of CWA 15793:2011. The biorisk management manual was distributed to all of the units of the Institute.


IHG HOLDS A SERIES OF BIORISK AWARENESS SEMINAR TO ALL OF ITS PERSONNEL
The Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) held a series of one-day Biorisk Awareness Seminar to all of its personnel last October 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14 at the NIH Conference Room and at the Newborn Screening Center in UP Ayala Technohub. All personnel, including the heads of the different units, attended the awareness seminar for them to be introduced and be aware of biosafety, biosecurity and biorisks at the workplace. This is in line with thrust of UP Manila and in response to the growing concern of the international community to manage the biosafety and biosecurity risks in the workplace. The one-day awareness seminar included the basics of biosafety and biosecurity and the biorisk management system of IHG. The seminar will enable the personnel to understand and appreciate the risks in biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace and to realize the need to manage and control them. The series of biorisk awareness seminar was handled by the graduates of the Advanced Biorisk Officers Training (ABOT), as part of their advocacy in spreading the consciousness of the entire nation on biosafety, biosecurity and biorisk management program.