Ten years of genetically modified crop regulation in the Philippines
2014
Halos, S.C. | Soriano, T.
The Philippines established the final phases of a regulatory system for genetically modified (GM) crops in 2002 that provided access by small corn farmers to the GM crop technology. This paper describes the system, management and processes of Philippine GM crop regulation in relation to features of transparency, predictability, science-based decision, manageability and adaptability. It presents the problems encountered and solutions adopted. Information and data were gathered from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the Office of Policy and Planning, Department of Agriculture (DA), Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), and relevant websites. In 10 years, there were 2 changes in national leadership, 4 Philippines Congresses, 5 changes of department leadership, 5 changes in leadership at the BPI and various changes in local government leaderships with local elections occurring every year. Demands to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and field trials or reverse decisions are made now and then. and two court cases have also been brought against the system. Nevertheless, with minimum resources, the GM crop regulatory system has stabilized due to clear implementable policies brought about by a close working relationship between policy making and implementation, support from affected sectors, the continuity in office of key individuals in the system, science-based decisions and manageability. The policies and practices ensure transparency and predictability. policy making is responsible to issues that arise during implementation and to trade issues. In policy and in practice, the system is participatory and socio-culturally sound. Compared with the additional income earned by Filipino GM corn farmers, government investments in establishing and maintaining the regulatory system is minimal and worth the investment.
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