Biotech Updates

New Philippine Biotech Regulatory System Introduced to the Public

September 21, 2016

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) recently conducted a Joint Department Circular (JDC) Public Briefing & Symposium on Agricultural Modernization last September 15, 2016. The symposium was held at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 2 Experiment Station in Ilagan, Isabela in the Philippines.

The event was attended by more than 200 farmers, professors, students and various stakeholders from Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and other nearby provinces. Discussions were made regarding agricultural modernization, including biotechnology, GM crops in the pipeline in the Philippines, safety issues of GM crops, climate-smart agriculture, as well as farmer experience on biotech corn farming.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Joint Department Circular to the farmers. Ms. Julieta Fe Estacio, Head Secretariat of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), and Ms. Merle Palacpac, Chief of the Plant Quarantine Service of the Bureau of Plant Industry discussed the new regulatory system for GM crops in the Philippines to the attendees.

The event was conducted in collaboration with the Coalition of Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP), the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), and the Department of Agriculture.

For more information, visit the SEARCA BIC website.