Cartagena Protocol

ERDB Director Dr. Henry A. Adornado welcomed the participants to the Technology Forum on Environment and Biotechnology held in Cavite on Nov. 25, 2015. (Photo Source: ERDB Website)

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.

The protocol establishes the rules and procedures for the safe use and transboundary movement of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) which the parties must adhere to. Parties are expected to ensure the safe handling, packaging and transportation of LMOs with proper documentation. The protocol further provides the framework for conducting a risk assessment. In the absence of insufficient scientific information, parties are encouraged to use the precautionary approach.

Focal Office:: Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB)
Date Ratified:: Party Since October 5, 2006
Focal Persons:: National Focal Point
       MR. JESUS R.S. DOMINGO
       Assistant Secretary
       Department of Foreign Affairs
       Tel No. - (632) 834-3094
: Technical Expert
       MS. JOSEFINA L. DE LEON
       Division Chief, Wildlife Resources Division
       DENR - Biodiversity Management Bureau
       Tel. Nos. - (632) 924 6031 to 35 local 222, (632) 925 8952-53
: Alternate Technical Expert
       MS. NERMALIE M. LITA
       In-charge, Wildlife Management Section, Wildlife Resources Division
       DENR - Biodiversity Management Bureau
       Tel. Nos. - (632) 924 6031 to 35 local 224, (632) 925 8952-53
Commitments:: Under the protocol, a Biosafety Clearing-House for Parties is also established to facilitate the exchange of information particularly on capacity-building, financial mechanism, compliance procedures and public awareness and participation.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Biodiversity Management Bureau provides technical support to the preparation of the National Report and maintenance of Biosafety Clearing House Mechanism (BCH) by the Department of Science and Technology.

DENR, through the Ecosystems Research and Database Bureau, is also a member to the National Biosafety Committee, a working group created through Executive Order 514 for the review of the applications of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Status / Updates:: Supporting Activities include:
1. Assistance with the preparation of the Second National Report to the Cartagena Protocol
2. Development of a proposed DENR Administrative Order “Rules and Regulations for Environmental Risk and Biosafety Assessment of Genetically Modified Forest and Wildlife Resources"
Policy Issuances:: Executive Order No. 514
Sources / Relevant Links:: https://bch.cbd.int/protocol

This Page was updated on Wednesday, 13 January 2016 22:05