The National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), Departments of Science and Technology (DOST), Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Health (DOH) proudly announce the official launching of the BCH Pilipinas: The Philippine Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) at the Aguila Hall, Visitors' Center, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Quezon Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, on 7 August 2008.

The establishment of the BCH Pilipinas by the Philippines is in compliance to Article 20, paragraph 1 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, being a Party to the Protocol. The objectives of the BCH are to: (a) facilitate the exchange of scientific, technical, environmental and legal information on, and experience with, Living Modified Organisms (LMOs), and (b) assist Parties to implement the Protocol, taking into account the special needs of developing country Parties. The BCH will serve as a “one-stop-shop” where biosafety-related information of the country, such laws and regulations, risk assessment on approved LMOs for food, feed and processing, national report, competent national authorities on LMOs, and national contacts among other information can be accessed.

The setting up of the BCH Pilipinas was carried out with the aid of the UNEP-GEF Project for Effective Participation on the Biosafety Clearing House of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Aside from its launching in the National Capital Region, similar activities will be held on 19 August 2008 in Cebu City and in Davao City on 21 August 2008.

To learn more about BCH Pilipinas, visit its website at http://bch.dost.gov.ph.