Author : Agbagala, Ma. Lorelie U.

Summary : The Philippines has policies and regulatory oversight in place to address issues of food safety, health, and environmental concerns. The regulation is continuously evaluated and modified to conform to internationally accepted standards and best practices including recourse and remedies in the event of non-compliance with the regulations.

The revised Joint Department Circular (JDC) aims to align and harmonize government regulations, address gaps, and clarify certain provisions. Thus, the 2021 JDC remains to be science-based, risk-proportionate, time-bound, and consistent with international guidelines. It is also a testament to the Philippines’ dynamic and responsive biosafety guidelines and regulations.