FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
8 SEP I T  
' ?  
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is the first country to allow the first biotech food crop to be commercially 
planted in Asia. The Department of Agriculture approved in December 2002 the propagation and 
importation of Bt corn - the first genetically modified crop approved for field testing in the 
country. The Department of Agriculture claims that Bt corn may increase corn yields by as much 
as 40% and decrease production cost by eliminating the need for commercial pesticides. 
On the other hand, those opposed to Genetically Modified (GM) crops claim that it goes 
against the natural evolution of crops and have not yet been proven to be safe for humans and the 
environment. Furthermore, they fear that once released into the environment, their possible 
effects would be irreversible. 
We should begin a process of having Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) 
registered and have the Department of Agriculture create a geographic information system so 
that policymakers and consumers can see where our GMO crops are being planted and what 
types of crops are being grown per region. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM REGISTRY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Genetically Modified Organism. As used in this Act, “genetically 
modified organism” shall mean: 
A. An organism that has been altered at the molecular or cellular level by means that 
are not possible under natural conditions or processes, including recombinant DNA and RNA 
techniques, cell fusion, microencapsulating, macroencapsulation, gene deletion and doubling, 
introduction of a foreign gene, and a process that changes the positions of genes, other than a 
means consisting exclusively of breeding, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in vitro 
fertilization, or tissue culture; and 
B. An organism made through sexual or asexual reproduction, or both, involving an 
organism described in paragraph A of this section, if possessing any of the altered molecular or 
cellular characteristics of the organism so described. 
SECTION 2. GMU Registry. The Deparhent of Agriculture shall establish and 
maintain a registry of genetically modified organisms used by companies and institutions of 
higher learning for the purposes of research and in any of their agriculture related programs. The 
information included in such registry shall be made available to the public, upon request, in 
written and electronic form on the department’s internet website. 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
SECTION 3. GMO location. The Department, as part of maintaining the registry 
required by this Act, shall establish maps of each region of the country in which genetically 
modified organisms are used, stating their exact location, type of organism, and use. 
SECTION 4. Registration. Subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by 
the Department of Agriculture, all companies and institutions of higher education which uses or 
possesses genetically modified organisms for the purpose of research or in any of its agriculture 
related programs, shall register all such organisms with the Department. Each person or entity 
required to register its genetically modified organisms pursuant to this Act shall include 
information on how it uses such organisms, including but not limited to the exact agricultural 
product or crop upon which a genetically modified organism has an effect 
SECTION 5 .  Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 6, Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect aFter fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circuIation. 
Approved, 
2