By 2040, biosafety measures and regulations in place and implemented

Enactment and Implementation of Biosafety Laws and Regulations: 

Executive Order No. 514 (National Biosafety Framework for the Philippines) provides guidance on the development and implementation of biosafety measures. Biosafety is usually lodged in the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Establishment of Biosafety Detection and Identification Measures:

Joint Department Circular No. 1 Series of 2016: Guidelines on the Conduct of Field Testing of Genetically Modified Organisms in the Philippines. The agencies of importance for this are the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH).

Conduct of Scientifically Sound Risk Assessments:

Department Circular No. 2 Series of 2013: Guidelines on the Conduct of Risk Assessment and Risk Management of GM Microorganisms in the Philippines. Relevant agencies include the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Health (DOH).

Implementation of Legal and Technical Measures for Restoration and Compensation:

Republic Act No. 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) Relevant provisions of RA 9147 may be utilized to address damage to biological diversity.  Agencies which would collaborate on this include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Maintenance of the Biosafety Clearing House:

The Biosafety Clearing House is maintained by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP). The agencies which are listed as the competent national authorities in the Philippines are: the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Agriculture (DA),  the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

By involving these agencies and implementing these actions collaboratively, the Philippines can work towards achieving its target of strengthening biosafety measures and handling biotechnology effectively by 2040, in alignment with the goals set out in the Convention on Biological Diversity.

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