The Progressive Manpower Enhancement Program (PMEP) is a framework developed by the Department of Agriculture through the Biotechnology Program. This is organized in partnership with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). PMEP is about the development and strengthening of human resources in the public sector to undertake research and development (R&D) projects, manage R&D outputs, communicate the science, and regulate activities involving the use of modern biotechnology. This framework will guide the interventions under the DA Biotechnology Program in the area of capability building.

The PMEP aims not only to enhance the technical capability of public sector employees, staff and officers, but also to develop leaders in the fields of biotech R&D, regulations, management, policy and communication.

The program employs a track-specific, ladderized structure focusing on building core technical and leadership competencies at each level of proficiency. Proficiency levels are (1) novice, (2) intermediate, (3) advanced, (4) expert, and (5) cadre. If you are an individual in public sector institutions pursuing careers in R&D, regulatory, managerial, policy, and communication, PMEP is for you.

Each level of proficiency has a required training duration and a specific course, which consists of interactive training with lectures, presentations, round-table discussions, meeting with experts and industry players, exposure trips, simulation exercises, etc.

Additionally, this training program is designed with the aim to progress from learning general knowledge and understanding on science and biotechnology (for Level 1: Novice) to more in-depth lectures and specific training course for the particular skills necessary in each track (for Levels 2 to 5: Intermediate to Cadre).