FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 1676 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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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 com - the first genetically modified crop approved for field testing in the 
country. The Department of Agriculture claims that Bt com may increase com yi elds 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 .• 
l.k\w 4 k·04·~ ~,,~~ 
~MIRIAM DEF~NSOR S1\NTIrU 
• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session 


:' '. . 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
I 0 
.JllL 20 
i~Ii:5' 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENf1'!7s 
S. No. __ ---'_ 
"j 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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ESTABLISHING A GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM REGISTRY 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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SECTION I. Genetically Modified Organism. As used III this Act, "genetically 
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modified organism" shall mean: 
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A. An organism that has been altered at the molecular or cellular level by means that 
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are not possible under natural conditions or processes, including recombinant DNA and RNA 
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techniques, cell fusion, microencapsulating, macroencapsulation, gene deletion and doubling, 
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introduction of a foreign gene, and a process that changes the positions of genes, other than a 
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means consisting exclusively of breeding, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in vitro 
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fertilization, or tissue culture; and 
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B. An organism made through sexual or asexual reproduction, or both, involving an 
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organism described in paragraph A of this section, if possessing any of the altered molecular or 
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cellular characteristics of the organism so described. 
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SECTION 
2. GMO Registry. The Department of Agriculture shall establish and 
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maintain a registry of genetically modified organisms used by companies and institutions of 
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higher learning for the purposes of research and in any of their agriculture related programs. The 
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information included in such registry shall be made available to the public, upon request, in 
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written and electronic form on the department's internet website. 
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SECTION 3. GMO location. The Department, as part of maintaining the registry 
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required by this Act, shall establish maps of each region of the country in which genetically 
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modified organisms are used, stating their exact location, type of organism, and use. 
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SECTION 4. Registration. Subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by 
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the Department of Agriculture, all companies and institutions of higher education which uses or 
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possesses genetically modified organisms for the purpose of research or in any of its agriculture 
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related programs, shall register all such organisms with the Department. Each person or entity 
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required to register its genetically modified organisms pursuant to this Act shall include 
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information on how it uses such organisms, including but not limited to the exact agricultural 
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product or crop upon which a genetically. modified organism has an effect 
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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
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thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
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declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
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affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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