Julieta Fe L. Estacio-Project Development OfficerDepartment of Science and TechnologyHead Secretariat, National Committee on Biosafety Philippines-National Focal Point, BCH Pilipinas

Establishment of Legislative Frameworks and Institutional Arrangements

for Access to Biosafety Information

In the Philippines

Presented during the Round table on GMOs15-17 November 2016Geneva, Switzerland

Backgound• The first country in Asia to establish its biosafety regulatory

system for GMOs • Initiatives to establish a biosafety framework came from the scientists

in 1987

• Regulation is based on Executive issuances and not legislation • Regulatory responsibilities & approval rest on Competent National

Authorities• Domestic regulation is compliant with the provisions of the

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety• Provisions of Article 23, including access to information,

is a component of the decision making process

Legislative Framework -E.O. 514 Section 6. Access to Information

Applications Posted in Agency websites

Protection ofConfidential Information Biosafety Decisions uploaded

in the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH)

Information on Risk Management, Product Monitoring, and Product Identification made

Available to the Public

The right of the public and the relevant stakeholders to information related to biosafety decisions is recognized and shall always be respected. It shall

include the following:

Institutional Arrangements -Procedures for active dissemination of biosafety information

• Disseminate biosafety regulation-related information ONLYBy designated National Focal Point (NFP) and the Component National

Authorities (CNAs)• Updates on policies, regulations are posted in the BCH and websites of

CNA’s and sent to all concerned stakeholders via email • Promotional materials on domestic regulation and the Cartagena

Protocol are disseminated during National Biotechnology Week, Fora for legislators and other stakeholders, Seminars sponsored by other organizations whether local or international, where biosafety regulations are discussed.

• Dissemination through Commission on higher education for biosafety updates and inclusion in science curricula/subjects; biosafety included in Agri Biotech course

• Invitations for Seminars/fora on capacity building and other activities are sent to stakeholders and NGOs through emails, media; regulators are interviewed via media

• Capacity building and PAEP Activities posted in the BCH news and local websites http://bch.dost.gov.ph

Lessons learned

Value of information and public awareness Value of calm reasoning

Decisions based on best available science

Full government support required to operationalize

the NBF

Coordinationand cooperation among

governmentDepartments

Concrete measures –Addressing gaps and the way forward

• National Biosafety Framework:• Institutionalization of the National Biosafety Regulatory System: Dialogue with legislators .• Strengthening of coordination mechanism among regulatory agencies engaged in biosafety

regulation by engaging in regular dialogues• Implementing the upcoming BCH III project• Access to Information: • Ensuring accurate, updated and concrete information in the BCH• Actively disseminating information to the education sector: Incorporating biosafety subject in

their curricula; B.S Agricultural Biosafety; conduct fora, seminars, • Promoting dissemination of information by the private sector, media and organizations to

popularize biosafety; develop and distribute IEC materials; appearance in TV/radio programs• Strengthening and sustaining regional networks and cooperation among Asian

countries to build capacities: Implement the BCH Roadmap developed by the Asia BCH Family in 2015

• Future measures to implement programme element 3 of the Programme of Work

Thank You! NCBP

http://www.ncbp.dost.gov.ph

DOST-Biosafety Committee http://dost-bc.dost.gov.ph

DA-BPI Biotech Core Teamhttp://biotech.da.gov.ph

BCH Pilipinas: http://bch.dost.gov.ph