PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND AWARENESS: NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATIONS

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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND AWARENESS NATIONAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATIONS
Vivencio R. Mamaril Vice-Chair, DA-BPI
Biotechnology Core Team
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SCOPE
1. National Biotechnology Regulations a.
Executive Order 430 of 1990 b. Department
of Agriculture- Administrative
Order No. 8 Series of 2002 2.
Government Initiatives in Public
Participation and Awareness
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (1)

• Executive Order No. 430 Constituting the
  National Committee on Biosafety of the
  Philippines (NCBP) and for Other Purposes
• This UPLB-IRRI-DA proposal underwent several
  rounds of consultation with both the private and
  public sector under the auspices of the National
  Academy of Science and Technology. The resulting
  draft was then submitted to the Department of
  Science and Technology with a recommendation that
  the NCBP be established.

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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (2)
Executive Order No. 430

• Upon the constitution of the NCBP, the draft
  biosafety guidelines were subjected to another
  round of scrutiny before approval.
• Publish the result of internal deliberation and
  agency reviews of the committee
•  
• Hold public deliberations on proposed national
  policies, guidelines and other biosafety issues

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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (3)
Executive Order No. 430
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). All
Institutions engaged in genetic engineering
and/or potentially hazardous biological and/or
genetic engineering work are required to have an
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), which
will evaluate and monitor the biosafety aspects
of their biological research. Where an
institution intends to become involved in planned
field release research, members of the IBC should
collectively have the range of expertise
necessary to supervise and assess this.
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (4)
Executive Order No. 430

• Composition of IBC
• Composed of five (5) members with expertise in
  genetic engineering or pest, or who have the
  capability to assess the safety of research. At
  least two (2) members shall not be affiliated
  with the institution and shall represent the
  interest of the surrounding community with
  respect to health and protection of the
  environment
• IBC may have consultants-on-call who are
  knowledgeable on the commitments and policies of
  the institution applicable laws standards of
  professional conduct and practice community
  attitudes and the environment.

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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (5)
Executive Order No. 430
One of the functions of IBC is to hold
discussions on the comparative ecological,
economic and social impacts of alternative
approaches to attain the purposes/objectives of
the proposed genetic engineering products and/or
services.
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (6)
Executive Order No. 430

• PLANNED RELEASE APPLICATION AND REVIEW
• Public Notification and Comment -- IBC, shall
  take steps to notify the public of the planned
  release and to invite comments thereon.
• Post for three consecutive weeks, the
  NCBP-approved Project Information Sheet for
  Purposes of Public Comment/Notification) in at
  least three (3) conspicuous places in the
  barangay(s) where the test site is located or
  which may be affected by the proposed release.  

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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (7)
Executive Order No. 430

• Public Notification and Comment
• Publish the Project Information Sheet once a week
  for at least two (2) consecutive weeks in a
  newspaper of general circulation in the areas
  where the test site is located or which may be
  affected by the planned release.  
• If in the judgment of the IBC, the proposed
  planned release carries potentially significant
  risks to human health and the environment, the
  IBC shall conduct a public hearing not later than
  ten (10) days from the last day of publication.

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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (8)
Executive Order No. 430
PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET FOR PURPOSES OF
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION/COMMENT Name of
Institution, Address of Institution, Name of
Project Leader, Address/Telephone/Facsimile
Numbers/e-mail address, Organism(s) to be
Released, Purpose(s) of the Planned Release,
Advantages/Disadvantages of the Proposed Strategy
over Existing Methods, Brief Summary of the
Nature and Effects of the Organism(s) to be
Released, Location and Size of the Planned
Release, Duration of the Project Involving
Planned Release. Start/End, Government Agencies,
Consulted Before Release, Additional information
may be obtained from, the proponents or his
organization, We invite the public to comment on,
this planned release. Please address comments
to   The Secretariat, National Committee on
Biosafety of the Philippines 2nd Floor, Room 211,
DOST Main Bldg.,Department of Science and
Technology, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig,
Metro Manila, Telephone/Facsimile Nos. (632)
837-2930, [phone], e-mail jfle_at_dost.gov.ph
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (9)
B. DA-Administrative Order No. 8, S2002-Rules and
Regulations for the Importation and Release into
the Environment of Plants and Plant Products
Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (10)
DA-AO No. 8, S2002
IBC means the Institutional Biosafety Committee
established by an applicant in preparation for
the field testing of a regulated article and
whose membership has been approved by BPI. The
other members, who shall be designated as
community representatives, shall not be
affiliated with the applicant apart from being
members of its IBC and shall be in a position to
represent the interests of the communities where
the field testing is to be conducted. For the
avoidance of doubt, NCBP shall be responsible for
approving the membership of the IBC for contained
use of a regulated article.
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (11)
DA-AO No. 8, S2002
Public Hearing means the face-to-face meeting
with relevant stakeholders to inform them of, and
give them the opportunity to submit their
comments on, any application for field testing of
a regulated article which may pose significant
risks to human health and the environment.   Publ
ic Consultation means the process of informing
relevant stakeholders of, and giving them the
opportunity to submit their comments on, any
application for field testing, propagation or
importation for food or feed, or for processing,
of a regulated article.
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (12)
DA-AO No. 8, S2002
FIELD TESTING OF REGULATED ARTICLES   Public
Consultation The applicant, through its IBC,
notifies and invites comments on the field
testing proposal from the barangay and
city/municipal governments with jurisdiction over
the field test sites. The IBC posts for 3
consecutive weeks copies of the Public
Information Sheet (PIS) for Field Testing
approved by the BPI in at least 3 conspicuous
places in each of the concerned barangay and
city/municipal halls. The PIS for Field Testing
invites interested parties to send their comments
on the proposed field testing to BPI within a
period of thirty 30 days from the date of
posting. It is in a language understood in the
community. During the comment period, any
interested person may submit to BPI written
comments regarding the application.
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (13)
DA-AO No. 8, S2002
PUBLIC INFORMATION SHEET FOR IMPORTATION
FOR DIRESCT USE AS FOOD, FEED, OR FOR
PROCESSING PROPOSAL FOR THE IMPORTATION Name of
Applicant, Address/Telephone Facsimile Nos./
E-Mail Address, Name of Responsible
Officer/Authorized Representative, Description of
the Regulated Article for propagation,
Country(ies) of Origin of the Regulated Article,
Purpose of the Importation, Brief Summary of
Potential Effects on Human Health and the
Environment,   The public is hereby invited to
submit their comments on the proposed
propagation, within thirty (30) days from the
date of publication, to   THE DIRECTOR, Bureau
of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, San
Andres, Malate, Manila, Email address
bpinin_at_info.com.ph, Telephone no. (02)
524-0768, [phone], Fax no. [phone]
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (14)
DA-AO No. 8, S2002
Biosafety Permit For Direct Use as Food or Feed,
or for Processing   The permittee shall duly
inform the public by way of publishing in any one
(1) of the top three (3) leading newspapers in
the country that import of this product is
covered by conditions for approval as provided in
Department of Agriculture Memorandum Circular No.
8, Series of 2003. A copy of such publication
shall be submitted to the Bureau of Plant
Industry within ten (10) days after publication.
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (15)
DA-AO No. 8, S2002
Public Consultation. The applicant shall publish
in 2 newspapers of general circulation a copy of
the Public Information Sheet (PIS) for
Propagation approved by BPI. The PIS for
Propagation invites interested parties to send
their comments on the proposed release for
propagation to BPI within a period of 30 days
from the date of publication. Any interested
person may submit to BPI written comments
regarding the application and these shall become
part of the application file.
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I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (16)
DA-AO No. 8, S2002
PUBLIC INFORMATION SHEET FOR PROPAGATION  PROPOSAL
FOR THE PROPAGATION OF   Name of Applicant,
Address/Telephone Facsimile Nos./ E-Mail
Address, Name of Responsible Officer/Authorized
Representative, Description of the Regulated
Article for propagation, If to be Imported,
Country(ies) of Origin of the Regulated Article,
Brief Summary of Potential Effects on Human
Health and the Environment,   The public is
hereby invited to submit their comments on the
proposed propagation, within thirty (30) days
from the date of publication, to    THE
DIRECTOR, Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of
Agriculture, San Andres, Malate, Manila, Email
address bpinin_at_info.com.ph, Telephone no.
[phone], [phone], Fax No. (02)
521-7650
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DELISTING OF REGULATED ARTICLE  Publication of
the Petition. Within 5 days from receipt of the
petition, the petitioner publish the petition in2
newspapers of general circulation with a notice
soliciting comments thereon from the public. The
notice invites interested parties to send their
comments on the petition for delisting to BPI
within a period of 60 days from the date of
publication. During the comment period, any
interested person may submit to BPI written
comments regarding the petition and these shall
become part of the petition file.
I. NATIONAL REGULATIONS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY (17)
DA-AO No. 8, S2002
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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (1)

• Scientist-Bishops Dialogue on Modern
  Biotechnology
• Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City
• February 13, 2003
•  
• A highly critical discussion on modern
  biotechnology which concerns the religious sector
  primarily the Catholic Church
• Davao was the appropriate venue for the south
  since it represents the geographical center in
  Mindanao thus providing an opportune venue and
  representation for the regions in the south.

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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (2)

• Dialogue with the Church and Public Discussion on
• Modern Biotechnology
• Tuguegarao, Cagayan and Cagayan Valley
• June 10, 2003
•  
• DA Biotech Advisory Team gave a comprehensive
  presentation of the issues and have presented
  some enlightening insights
• Productive discussion on the church related
  concerns of this new technology
• Produced remarkable development on the stand of
  the church representatives in the forum on the
  issues in and around biotechnology including
  hunger and poverty

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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (3)

• Safety Application of Modern Biotechnology in
  Food and
• Crops, 2nd National Agricultural Safety
  Convention,
• Davao City
• April 29, 2003
•  
• The venue in the south was a good chance for the
  program to disseminate scientific information
  regarding the safety of biotechnology for food
  and crops production
• Gathered a representative audience from the LGUs
  all over the country to convene on a very timely
  topic on agricultural safety where biosafety of
  biotech products is often being questioned.

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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (4)

• Keeping the food supply and farm environment
  safe Regarding Bt Corn and other GMOs, Roxas
  City, Capiz
• September 18, 2003
•  
• Topics on biosafety of biotech products were the
  main feature of conferences
• Presentation and discussions served as eye opener
  for the various audiences composed of farmers and
  farmers organizations, LGU representatives, and
  also representatives from the trade and industry
  sector, and NGOs
• Provided scientific information in layman style
  and form that made them appreciate more the
  products of modern biotechnology including the
  efforts of the government to assure human and
  animal health and the environment safety

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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (5)

• Writeshop _at_ Biotech.Com
• Biotech Media Workshop
• March 21, 2003
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• 1-day workshop for info campaign to set the tenor
  of the coming info activities for biotechnology
• Participants include practicing media persons and
  information specialist form SEARCA-Biotechnology
  Information Center, the ISAAA, PhilRice,
  DZLB-UPLB, IPB-UPLB, CODA, and scientist and
  experts on modern biotechnology
• Consensus highlighted the importance of utilizing
  positive information material for the general
  public using the conventional and popular media
  to be more effective and affective at the same
  time.

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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (6)

•  GMO Facts, Myths, Risks, and Benefits
• Universidad de Sta. Isabel, Naga City
•  
• The venue tackled biotech issues that are popular
  for the general public particularly its safety
  correlated to facts and mythical risks.

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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (7)

• Seminar on AgBiotechnology Benefits and
  Questions
• Today, Potentials and Challenges Tomorrow
• June 26, 2003 (Department of Agriculture)
• June 27, 2003 (Imperial Suites)
•  
• Gathered together local scientists/experts and
  researchers on biotechnology for the
  comprehensive presentation of a visiting biotech
  expert from the Biotechnology Program of the
  University of California
• Opened the discussion on the different
  biotechnology info campaign given much available
  and accessible information in the internet
  resources. 

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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (8)

• Seminar on Feed Safety of GM Plants and Plant
  Products
• Apacible Conference Room, DA
• 21 August 2003
•  
• Another US Biotechnology expert provided an
  update on current developments and most recent
  experiences in the US on the use of genetically
  modified plants and plant products for feeds
• The US experience since 1996 is rich of lessons
  learned form actual account of using GM plants
  for feed use.  

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II. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN PPA (9)

• Scientist Speak Up (Philippine Star, May 25,
  2003)
• National Newspaper Ad Released
•  
• A major public ad was released in the Philippine
  Star, as one of the competently corroborated info
  material by local scientist and experts on
  biotechnology to cap a hunger strike
• The majority of the Filipino scientist from
  almost all research agencies and institutions of
  higher learning decided to be heard publicly
  through this major press release.  

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Thank You
and
Mabuhay!