Philippines suggests 3 principles to regulate gene-editing adoption

After the Memorandum Circular No. 8 (MC8), Series of 2022 issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines, rules and procedures for evaluating products of plant breeding innovations set clear among policymakers, enterprises, farmers and other practitioners. 

Section 1 of MC8 states that products with a novel combination of genetic material derived from modern biotechnology are considered genetically engineered and must follow the rules and regulations for such prior to release. Without the presence of a novel combination of genetic material, the product will be considered as conventional. If the product is declared as non-genetically engineered, a Certificate of Non-Coverage from the JDC1, s2021 will be released to the developer and to the public.

Sharing with VAN News on building biotechnology governance, Mrs. Ma. Lorelei Agbagala, Head of the Secretariat, National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) emphasizes that an effective gene-editing framework requires transparency, strong institutional cooperation and reliable communication.

Government publicizes procedures for requested GE products

According to her, transparency is very important when dealing with new technologies. Online applications help the public be aware of what is being proposed and how regulatory decisions are made.

"Applications are submitted through the DA then requested to the Department of Science and Technology to also post the application on the website. A wider audience is aware of the applications and approvals. A certificate letter is issued by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for commercial propaganda. Overall, we work closely together in this process", Agbagala explains.

In the Philippines, five agencies share responsibility for biotech crop oversight. A Joint Department Circular combines the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Health.

Authorities publish information about biotechnology applications on official websites and also allow the public’s comments. This process ensures that stakeholders are informed and can participate in discussions about new technologies.

Regulators should use multiple communication channels to reach different audiences. Credited social media platforms should also become powerful tools for sharing scientific information with the public. By that, biosafety authorities can reach a broader audience and ensure that accurate information about gene editing is widely available.

She also notes that countries that already regulate biotechnology can adapt their existing policies to accommodate gene editing technologies, thereby maintaining consistency and avoiding unnecessary regulatory duplication. "This is a useful breeding tool that leverages natural genetic variations plants already have, according to Mrs. Lorelei Agbagala.

Maintain continuous dialogue with stakeholders

Through inter-agency cooperation, regulators can ensure that biotechnology applications are evaluated from multiple sides. Agbagala requests that agencies actively support one another by sharing information and coordinating public communications. Publishing regulatory updates across multiple government platforms can increase transparency and broaden public awareness.

To keep pace with these developments, regulators should maintain ongoing dialogue with scientists, industry representatives, farmers, and consumers. "Regular consultation ensures that policies remain responsive to both technological progress and societal concerns", she says. 

From her insights, the government is currently supporting GE research on high-value crops that are important to both domestic consumption and export markets, including corn, tomato, abaca, banana, mango, coconut, and vegetables (especially eggplant). Vegetable production plays a particularly important role in regions such as Baguio, which is known as one of the country’s major vegetable-growing areas. 

According to Department of Agriculture data, under the 2025 High Value Crops Development Program, government investments have helped boost the local banana industry since the Philippines returned as the second-largest global banana exporter. The Department distributed 106,000 planting materials to expand and rejuvenate banana production. The program also granted 120,000 units of organic fertilizer and 215,000 biological control agents to Filipino farmers to help restore soil health, ensure plant resilience and reduce post-harvest losses. The notable rebound happened despite the threat of Fusarium wilt TR4/Panama disease in the country.

She highlights more efforts to develop banana varieties resistant to black Sigatoka fungal disease. Field trials for gene-edited bananas are expected to begin in Mindanao, the southern region of the Philippines that hosts many large banana plantations. 

Agbagala also recommends strengthening collaboration among countries in the region. Gene editing promises to address all of the world’s toughest problems of food insecurity due to growing populations, changing weather patterns, and demand for next-gen biofuels. As gene editing technologies become more widely used, differences in national regulations may create challenges for trade and technology development. To address this issue, she encourages cooperation to improve regulatory alignment.

"We are willing to share experience. Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam can hold consultations to examine how regulations remain compatible and supportive of innovation across borders", she concludes.