Philippines
The Republic of the Philippines is a country of 7,100 islands in Southeast Asia. It is bounded by the Philippine Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south, and the South China Sea to the west and north. The Philippine Archipelago is endowed with rich natural resources with a predominantly agricultural economy upon which its population depends on. It has a total population of 88 million (July 2005 est.). The Philippines has a total land area of 115,100 sq. miles (298,170 sq. km), 18.95% of which is arable land. Of the total cropped area, 5,985 sq. miles (15,500 sq. km) are irrigated. The top 5 crops produced in 2004 were:
General Biotech Scenario The Philippine government fully supports the introduction of biotechnology as one of the tools to modernized its agricultural sector. The Department of Agriculture approved in 2002 the Agricultural Administrative Order No. 8 that allowed the importation and commercial use of plants and products made through modern biotechnology. This biosafety guideline ensures the integrity of human and animal health, and the environment. To date, the Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has already approved several biotech crops for importation, direct use and for propagation. The first biotech crop approved for commercial release was Monsanto’s Bt corn (MON810) in 2002. Public sector research on corn, rice, banana, papaya, mango, coconut, tomato and eggplant are continuously being conducted.
Agricultural Scenario The agriculture sector plays a vital role in the growth and stability of the Philippine economy. Of the total 35.86 million labor force, 12.9 million are involved in the agriculture sector producing agricultural products such as sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, fish, mangoes, pork, eggs, and beef. The agriculture sector accounts 14.8% of the total GDP of the country (CIA Factbook, 2005). Description of Agricultural Sector (Major Crops Grown; Crop Exports) Since agricultural lands are diminishing and population is rapidly increasing, food security remains a great concern. Low productivity also continues to be the key challenge confronting the sector. For example, the country must produce 16 million MT of unmilled rice by the year 2010 or nearly 50% over its present production level. This means that rice yield has to increase to 5.1 MT/ha from its current average of 2.58 MT/ha. Yet, rice production has shown declining yield growth rates, suggesting that irrigated systems are already approaching yield ceilings. Government Plan for Agriculture The Administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved the Policy Statement on Modern Biotechnology last July 21, 2001. She affirmed her support to the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology as an option to achieve and sustain food security, agricultural productivity and global competitiveness. Public Sector/Private Sector Initiatives The application of biotechnology in agriculture was identified as a key intervention in attaining its goals. The Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Agriculture together with other collaborating agencies are spearheading the R&D support on agricultural biotechnology.
The Biotechnology Sector The Philippines recognizes the potentials of biotechnology in addressing food security concerns, increased income, environmental integrity, and agricultural modernization through the packaging of a National Biotechnology R&D Program for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), This program was approved in 1997 by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) and billed as “Biotechnology: Pole-vaulting Philippine Agriculture in the 21st Century”. The projects implemented under this program, which started in 1999, focused on top priority crops namely coconut, papaya, mango, banana and corn. This program is jointly funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture and PCARRD. Moreover, the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) also identifies biotechnology as one of the options for food sufficiency. It recently launched a comprehensive biotechnology program for the fisheries and agriculture sector through the establishment of the DA Biotech Program. This Program aims to establish a policy environment conducive for the development and adoption of economically and ecologically sound use of agri-biotechnology and its products. The Philippine Rice Research Institute has also identified biotechnology in addressing the country’s rice sufficiency and global competitiveness through the development of genetically engineered rice that is resistant to bacterial leaf blight and tungro virus. GM rice varieties tolerant to saline conditions and Golden rice with Vitamin A are also being developed in this institute.
Regulatory Environment The guidelines cover activities such as importation, research, development, introduction, field release, and production or manufacture of biological materials, particularly where genetic manipulation is involved, or where there is importation of exotic microorganisms, plants or animals. Organizational Structure of Relevant Institution The National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) oversees the implementation of these guidelines. It was created in 1990 through Executive Order 430 by then President Corazon C. Aquino. Chaired by the DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, its membership consists of the following: a biologist, an environmental scientist, a physical scientist, a social scientist, two respected members of the community and a representative each from the departments of Agriculture, Health, and Environment and Natural Resources. URL link for details: http://www.dost.gov.ph/ncbp/ IPR Republic Act No. 8293 otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines was enacted and signed into law in 1997. It took effect on January 1, 1998. This act prescribes the intellectual property code and establishes the Intellectual Property Office under the Office of the President. It includes laws governing patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, and copyrights. Organizational Structure of Relevant Institution The Intellectual Property Office under the Office of the President. It is headed by a Director General and two Deputy Directors who oversee six bureaus. These are the Bureau of Patents; Trademarks; Legal Affairs; Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer; Administration, Financial and Human Resources Development; and the Management Information System and Electronic Data Processing. URL
Link for Details http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/homepage.asp There are bills filed with the legislative branch of the government concerning labeling laws. At present, no GM labeling laws are being enforced. Regulatory Bodies Department
of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry To govern the release of GM
plants and plant-products for propagation,
direct use
as food
or feed, or for processing http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/ |
Other Countries: Summary
Report on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops
- [View
the 2004 report] Transgenic Crops - [Click Here] Extensive Study on Bt Cotton - [Click Here] Download the complete copy of the ISAAA Briefs on Global Status/Review of GM Crops - [Click Here] SciDev.Net's dossier on GM crops - [Click here] Global Status of Approved Genetically Modified Plants - [Click here] |
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