Question & AnswerQ&A (DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 21, S. 2005)
The main goal of the Center is to implement a rationalized, effective, and efficient agricultural biotechnology research and development agenda for the Department of Agriculture to generate improved agricultural technologies, increase productivity, enhance commercial potential for crops, livestock, and fisheries, create jobs, and contribute to national food security and global competitiveness.
The Agricultural Biotechnology Center is established within the corporate structure of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Department of Agriculture.
The Center has powers to develop and commercialize agricultural biotechnology, rationalize biotech R&D and commercialization agenda, operate a bioinformatics facility, train scientists, disseminate information on biotech benefits and risks, obtain funds and collaborate locally and internationally, extend technical support to DA research centers, and perform other necessary functions.
Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), specifically Section 7, and Executive Order No. 162 dated October 18, 1999, under Sections 2 and 9 provide the legal basis for the Center's establishment.
The network includes the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), National Tobacco Administration (NTA), Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), Cotton Development Administration (CODA), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), DA Regional Field Units, and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), among others.
Priority commodities include rice, white corn, coconut, high-value crops like mango, garlic, onion, eggplant, cotton, tobacco, sugarcane, banana, abaca, cattle (dairy and beef), carabao, small ruminants (sheep and goat), non-ruminants (hog, chickens, ducks), and important aquatic resources such as bangus and tilapia.
The Governing Board is chaired by the DA Secretary or a designated Undersecretary, includes heads or representatives of member agencies, representatives from private, NGO, farming, consumer, industry groups, and independent biotech experts as advisers. It provides policy leadership, sets programs, approves budgets, designates staff, and approves incentive systems for commercialization.
Three Technical Boards—one each for crops, livestock, and fisheries—are established under the Governing Board. Members come from member agencies, industry, farmer, and consumer groups, providing technical and scientific advice on R&D agenda formulation, prioritization, and implementation.
Core funding comes from the Department of Agriculture’s annual regular appropriations. Additional funds can come from national banner programs, DA Biotechnology Project funds, Bureau of Agricultural Research, contributions from member agencies, local and foreign donors, grants, investments, loans, and other sources. All funds are managed and disbursed by the Center Director under PhilRice fiscal control procedures and oversight of the Governing Board.
The Order takes effect immediately upon its issuance on July 7, 2005.