Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 430)
The NCBP is attached to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The NCBP is composed of the DOST Undersecretary for R&D as Chairman, one biological scientist, one environmental scientist, one physical scientist, one social scientist, two respected members of the community, and one representative each from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Health (DOH).
The Chairman's term is coterminous with his appointment as Undersecretary for R&D. The members, excluding the Chairman, serve for three years renewable for another term or more under exceptional circumstances. The representatives from DA, DENR, and DOH hold their positions for the duration of their appointments to those agencies.
They must be Filipino citizens of unquestionable integrity residing permanently in the Philippines. The four scientist members must have at least seven years of collegiate and post-collegiate training in their respective fields.
The NCBP identifies and evaluates potential hazards in genetic engineering, formulates and reviews national biosafety policies and guidelines, supervises their implementation, develops working arrangements with quarantine services, assists in technical expertise development, recommends research programs in risk assessment, holds public deliberations, and provides assistance in legal matters concerning biosafety.
The DOST acts as the Secretariat for the NCBP and provides staff support as needed.
The initial funding is allocated from the present budget of the Department of Science and Technology, with subsequent funding to be included in the general appropriations bill submitted to Congress.
Public deliberations allow transparency and participation of the public on proposed national policies, guidelines, and other biosafety issues.
The NCBP can call upon the assistance of any government agency, department, office, bureau, or government-owned and controlled corporations to help fulfill its functions.