Local Laws
Letter of Instruction 1005
• 1979
• Established the National Institutes of
Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology
– Now known as the National Institute of
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH)
• “National research and development (R&D)
organization specializing in agricultural,
environmental, food and feeds, and health
biotechnology“
Executive Order 430
• 1990
• Creation of the National Committee on Biosafety
of the Philippines (NCBP)
– Under the DOST
• “Tasked to formulate, review and amend national
policy on biosafety and formulate guidelines on
the conduct of activities on genetic engineering”
• Composed of representatives of DA, DENR, DOH
and DOST; 4 scientists in biology, environmental
science, social science and physical science; and 2
respected members of the community
Republic Act 8435
• 1997
• Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA)
• Defines “measures to modernize the country’s
agriculture and fisheries sectors to make them
competitive in the market”
– “…to modernize the Philippine agriculture to improve the
living conditions of the majority of the farmers and
increase their productivity amidst the growing needs of
the markets (local and abroad)”
– Food security
– More competitive products (market-driven approach)
The Estrada Administration
• Issuance of a “National Policy to use
Biotechnology as a strategy to improve
agricultural production, modernize Philippine
agriculture and enhance rural development”
(2000)
The Arroyo Administration
• Philippine National Policy Statement on
Modern Biotechnology (2001)
– Government policy “on promoting the safe and
responsible use of modern biotechnology and its
products as one of the means to achieve food
security, equal access to health services, a
sustainable and safe environment, and industry
development”
The Arroyo Administration
• DA Administrative Order No. 8 (Series of
2002)
– Regulation of plant and plant products produced
through modern biotechnology
– BT Corn
The Aquino Administration (c. 2010)
• House Bill 1977
– Intensifying stem cell research
• House Bill 5037
– Providing for the establishment of the Philippine
National Stem Cell Research and Storage Center
• House Bill 5287
– Establishing Stem Cell Center of the Philippines
and strengthening research on stem cell
technology
Executive Order 247
• Prescribing guidelines and establishing a
regulatory framework for the prospecting of
biological and genetic resources, their
byproducts and derivatives, for scientific and
commercial purposes, and for other purposes
• Ordered by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos
Some Features of EO 247
SECTION 1: “It shall be the policy of the State to
regulate the prospecting of biological and
genetic resources so that these resources are
protected and conserved, are developed and
put to the sustainable use and benefit of the
national interest. Further, it shall promote the
development of local capability in science and
technology to achieve technological self –
reliance in selected areas.”
Some Features of EO 247
• SECTION 2: Consent of indigenous cultural
communities
• SECTION 3: When research agreement is
necessary
• SECTION 4: Application for academic research
agreement and commercial research
agreement
Some Features of EO 247
• Inter-Agency Committee on Biological and
Genetic Resources