New Biosafety Guidelines Introduced to Stakeholders in Cebu, Philippines

More than a hundred members of consumer groups, regulators, farmer leaders, faculty and students, information officers, and members and officials of local government units in Cebu province in the Philippines learned about the science, safety, and potential benefits of modern biotech, particularly biotech crops. The latest biosafety regulatory guideline in the country was also introduced during the Biotechnology 101 & Joint Department Circular (JDC) Public Briefing on April 4, 2017 at Big Hotel, Mandaue City, Cebu.

Julieta Fe Estacio, Head Secretariat of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Biosafety Committee, and Ma. Lorelie Agbagala, Agricultural Center Chief II of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Plant Industry, explained the standards, procedures, and principles of the JDC and the major roles of the DOST and DA. Both emphasized the importance of regulation to ensure the safety of biotech products in research and in the market. Other topics presented were biotech research trends, biotech crops in the pipeline, and food and environmental safety issues.

Following the presentations was an open forum with representatives from the five concerned government Departments (DOST, DA, Department of Health, Department. of the Environment & Natural Resources, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government).

Ms. Alejandra Solijon, Chair of the Cebu Provincial Farmers Action Council, said in her message "We look forward to maximizing and optimizing farmer output through biotech. By merging research and technology with actual experiences in the field, we hope for a positive outcome for the Philippine agriculture."

For more information about biotech in the Philippines, visit SEARCA BIC website.