The Bureau of Plant Industry-Plant Quarantine Service (BPI-PQS) has upgraded its molecular testing facility for plant pathogen and detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to enhance the quality of its lab analyses and comply with international standards.

BPI-PQS said the improvement of the facility and procurement of necessary equipment were made possible through a grant from the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Unit (DA-BPU).

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) also assisted in the upgrade.

Upon completion, the facility was turned over by the DA and the ISAAA to the BPI last December 15.

“The Philippines ’ biotech regulation continues to evolve and learn from its experiences since the first approval of GM product in 2002. We need to set-up necessary infrastructure for the testing and detection of GMOs and plant pathogen in order to continuously perform our tasks as the main regulatory agency for biotechnology in the country” said BPI assistant director Clarito Barron during the turnover ceremony.

BPI has already approved 51 events for the direct use and importation of several biotech crops like alfalfa, corn, soybean and potato.

The enhancement of the molecular laboratory of BPI-PQS will further boost the confidence of the general public on the capability of BPI in implementing DA Administrative Order No.8, the policy that governs the importation and release into the environment of plants and plant products derived from the use of modern biotechnology.