Through the pioneering wonders of biotechnology, it may not be long now before earthworms could trigger an economic miracle for the country.

This is according to Dr. Danilo P. Manayaga, president and chief executive officer of Secura International Corp., a firm whose expertise and technology evolves around biotechnology and bioprocess technologies.

The firm is engaged in plant tissue culture, enzymes and extracts, freeze dried condiments and dehydrated fruits.

Manayaga told members of the Bulacan Capitol Press Corps during the two-day seminar-workshop on empowering local government units and on biotechnology last week at the Subic Bay Freeport that many plant varieties, whose enzymes and extracts are in demand in the United States, Europe, Japan, Korea and China, thrive in the Philippines.

But the plants should be cultured and grown with organic fertilizer and this is where the lowly earthworm comes into the picture.

Manayaga said that earthworms can provide the needed supply of organic fertilizer through vermi-culture, a technology developed by the Philippines Council for Aquatic and Marine Research Development (PCAMRD) of the Department and Science and Technology headed by Dr. Rafael Guerrero III.

He added that pineapples can produce enzymes which are now being used to treat cancer. He also said that extracts from Banaba, Lagundi, Saluyot, Aloe-vera and mushrooms has a big market in Europe.

"But they should be grown using organic fertilizers otherwise they have no value in the international market," Manayaga said.