Constituting the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (Ncbp) and For Other Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

Executive Order No. 430

Constituting the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) and for Other Purposes

• Establishes the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) attached to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). (Sec. 1)

• Composition of the NCBP: (Sec. 1)
- Chairman: DOST Undersecretary for R & D
- Members:
    - 1 biological scientist
    - 1 environmental scientist
    - 1 physical scientist
    - 1 social scientist
    - 2 respected members of the community
    - 1 representative each from DA, DENR, and DOH designated by the respective Heads of Offices.

• Terms of office: (Sec. 2)
    - Chairman: Coterminous with appointment as Undersecretary for R & D
    - Members: 3 years, renewable for another term or more under exceptional circumstances
    - Representatives from DA, DENR, and DOH: Duration of their appointments in such agencies

• Qualifications of members: (Sec. 3)
    - Filipino citizens of unquestionable integrity residing permanently in the Philippines
    - Scientist-members: Minimum of 7 years of collegiate and post-collegiate training in their respective field

• Functions of the NCBP: (Sec. 4)
    - Identify and evaluate potential hazards involved in genetic engineering experiments or introduction of new species and genetically engineered organisms, and recommend measures to minimize risks. (Sec. 4a)
    - Formulate and review national policies and guidelines on biosafety, such as the safe conduct of work on genetic engineering, pests and their genetic materials for the protection of public health, environment and personnel, and supervise the implementation thereof. (Sec. 4b)
    - Formulate and review national policies and guidelines in risk assessment of work biotechnology, and supervise the implementation thereof. (Sec. 4c)
    - Develop working arrangements with government quarantine services and institutions in the evaluation, monitoring, and review of projects vis-a-vis adherence to national policies and guidelines on biosafety. (Sec. 4d)
    - Assist in the development of technical expertise, facilities and other resources for quarantine services and risk assessments. (Sec. 4e)
    - Recommend the development and promotion of research programs to establish risk assessment protocols and assessment of long-term environmental effects of biological research covered by these guidelines. (Sec. 4f)
    - Publish the results of internal deliberation and agency reviews of the committee. (Sec. 4g)
    - Hold public deliberations on proposed national policies, guidelines and other biosafety issues. (Sec. 4h)
    - Provide assistance in the formulation, amendment of pertinent laws, rules and regulations. (Sec. 4i)
    - Call upon the assistance of any government agency, department, office, bureau including government-owned and/or controlled corporations. (Sec. 4j)

• DOST shall be the Secretariat of the NCBP, with member agencies providing additional staff support as needed. (Sec. 4)

• DOST shall allocate from its present budget such amount as may be necessary for the initial operations of the NCBP and its Secretariat. Thereafter, the funding requirements shall be included in the general appropriations bill submitted to the Congress. (Sec. 5)

• The Executive Order shall take effect immediately. (Sec. 6)