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The commercialization of biotech crops in the Philippines is influenced by regulatory frameworks, public perceptions, and, crucially, the judiciary, when their commercial release is challenged by those opposing the technology. While regulations serve as a cornerstone, their efficacy can be affected by public opposition and legal challenges.

To bridge this gap, strategic communication of the benefits and safety of biotechnology is essential for successful product delivery, especially when navigating the legal landscape and in fostering agricultural biotechnology regulation that prioritizes poverty alleviation, food security, sustainability, and social progress.

To address the critical challenges hindering the commercialization of biotech products in the Philippines, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) Inc., in collaboration with Bayer AgriScience Inc., held a workshop titled ‘The Future of Food and Law: A Workshop on Agricultural Biotechnology for the Philippine Judiciary.’

The workshop, held at a hotel in Manila on September 25, brought together more than 100 representatives from the Supreme Court, Philippine Judicial Academy, the Court of Appeals, regulators, academics, scientists and researchers, public and private technology developers, and communicators.

They analyzed current challenges and obstacles and develop proactive strategies to prevent setbacks in delivering biotech products to Filipino farmers and consumers.

Crucial role of judiciary

Former secretary of the Department of Agriculture and current ISAAA Board Chairman Dr. William D. Dar emphasized the benefits of biotech crops, citing the success of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, which has significantly increased productivity and reduced poverty among smallholder Filipino farmers.

Dar cited the crucial role of the judiciary in the commercialization of biotech crops in the Philippines, saying: ‘Your role in this discourse is crucial. As the guardians of our Constitution, your decisions have the power to shape an environment that either enables or hinders innovation.’

In a stirring appeal, he urged the workshop participants: ‘Let us collectively work to secure a future where no Filipino goes hungry.’

Justice Selma P. Alaras, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, welcomed the workshop participants and highlighted the judiciary’s role in navigating the legal and ethical complexities of biotechnology.

Alaras explained that the judiciary shares parallel goals, sentiments, fears, and outlook in building an optimistic hope for the future, and this hope propels the judiciary to perform its vital role.

She urged the participants to listen, communicate, and collaborate to address public concerns and foster innovation.

‘Bridge the gap. Talk with each other. Accept, give, negotiate, settle, or compromise. Harmonize,’ she said.

Agri-biotechnology landscape in Southeast Asia, the Philippines

ISAAA Inc. Executive Director Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita discussed the global status of biotech crop approvals, focusing on widely cultivated crops, recent approvals, and those pending development.

She highlighted biotech crops’ vital role in sustainability, food security, and climate change.

Aldemita also updated participants on gene editing in agriculture and the current regulatory landscape for gene-edited crops.

Dr. Abraham Manalo, assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, discussed the agricultural biotechnology landscape in the Philippines, focusing on the adoption and economic impact of biotech crops.

He highlighted the commercialization of Bt corn, the first biotech crop in the country, and its substantial growth and positive effects on local agriculture and smallholder incomes.

Manalo also introduced other approved biotech crops, such as Bt cotton, Bt eggplant, and Malusog Rice (Golden Rice).

Philippine biosafety regulations for GM, gene-edited crops

Reimond S. Corona, project senior technical specialist at the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), discussed the country’s biosafety regulations for genetically modified (GM) and gene-edited crops.

He outlined the timeline of these regulations, focusing on the evaluation processes and the significance of risk assessment by the Joint Assessment Group.

Additionally, he covered the determination process for plant breeding innovations and the requirements for obtaining biosafety permits.

Farmer decision-making on adoption of biotech corn in PHL

Dr. Clarisse M. Gonzalvo, assistant professor at the College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), presented her research on factors influencing the adoption of biotech corn among Filipino farmers after the 2015 Supreme Court ban on GMOs.

She identified a mix of economic, informational, and personal factors that encouraged many farmers to persist with the crop despite legal uncertainties.

Gonzalvo said that future policies should involve farmers as partners and promote a just transition to sustainable farming practices.

Lessons, insights from the Philippine Bt eggplant case

Atty. Damcelle T. Cortes, assistant professor at the College of Public Affairs and Development in UPLB, presented her study on the interaction between science and courts in the first Bt eggplant case in the Philippines.

She reviewed the environmental lawsuit from 2012 to 2016, including decisions from the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Cortes highlighted knowledge gaps between courts and scientists, concluding that while communication is important, it must be supported by legal frameworks to effectively mediate the interaction between science and law, especially in cases of alleged rights violations.

Stewardship for innovation

Jenny A. Panopio, biotech consultant at CropLife Philippines, highlighted the mission and stewardship programs of CropLife Asia, which represents the plant science industry.

She emphasized the importance of stewardship in protecting innovation and managing crop protection products throughout their lifecycle, including responsible resource use and risk mitigation initiatives.

Recommendations from the courts

The workshop participants were tasked with answering questions on legal frameworks and judicial processes, as well as legal and procedural issues, and public policy and future directions. Their recommendations are summarized as follows:

To improve the judiciary’s grasp of agricultural biotechnology, a strategy focused on expert-led training is essential, including workshops and seminars for judges and lawyers, with Mandatory Continuing Legal Education credit to boost participation. It was added that creating a Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence and establishing a database of scientific experts for judicial consultation are crucial.

The judiciary is vital in shaping agricultural biotechnology policy by protecting and tempering innovations through scientific evidence. The Writ of Kalikasan is a key legal tool that helps balance dangers and benefits to protect the environment.

To expedite the commercialization of biotech crops in the Philippines, outdated laws must be amended and regulations harmonized to streamline approval processes. The judicial system should be improved by simplifying court access and enhancing legal professionals’ understanding of scientific matters through expert guidance and technical training.

To ensure the scientifically sound application of the precautionary principle, the Supreme Court must revisit its rules and enhance judicial training. This principle should shift from outright prohibition to a risk-based response that considers potential harm.

To support environmental rights and address climate change and food security, Congress should establish a comprehensive national law on agricultural biotechnology and biosafety. This framework needs updated guidelines, dedicated research funding, and a collaborative public campaign to integrate scientific, legal, and socio-ecological aspects.

To promote biotech crop commercialization, it is essential to enact legislation that protects stakeholder rights and regulates biotechnology products.

Additionally, incorporating science and biotechnology into educational curricula will enhance public and professional understanding.

Lastly, government subsidies are needed to support sector growth.

By implementing these reforms, streamlining regulations, and ensuring judicial access to scientific expertise, the workshop agreed that the Philippines can leverage agri-biotech to tackle food security and sustainable development challenges. Clement Dionglay is a project associate at ISAAA Inc.

At this point, solid listeners and the general public alike are already used to seeing Buendia’s tenacity for acting as the perennial frontman has been on the big screen for ‘Pandamlagan (2025)’-a full-length period film featured at this year’s Cinemalaya, the most prestigious independent film festival in the country.

In this particular release, the ‘Bulaklak sa Buwan’ hitmaker undeniably showcased his freshly-honed acting capabilities on his own very own material, ‘Kandarapa.’

‘Kandarapa’ exists as the third single of Buendia’s latest solo oeuvre, ‘Method Adaptor’, an album that came from the depths of the artist’s soul which relishes on narratives personal and deep from within, ultimately creating a meaningful 10-track masterpiece. But at this moment, we shift our attention solely to the single’s official music video, furthering the plot of this new era of Ely Buendia.

Produced by the man himself, the ‘Kandarapa’ music video is proudly ‘D.I.Y-ed’ (do-it-yourself), with the help of Buendia’s own record label Offshore Music, even directed by one of its own hired hands and in-house creative, Gada Nyssa Zayco.

‘When I first heard Kandarapa, I felt the courage behind it. It takes a certain kind of bravery and strength to begin a song with an admission to say that you or something is not okay right from the first line, before any instrument even begins,’ shares Zayco, detailing her initial reaction to the song. ‘I wanted the visuals to feel like a dream you’re half-aware of, caught between wanting to wake up but at the same time trapped.’

Zayco has done plenty of creative work in Offshore Music, most of which are for the internal side of the label and for its own impressive music roster, most regularly for official photos and visual collateral. But Zayco’s prowess in directing, shooting, and editing for these types of work have already been out in the open as she also directed the extremely relatable music video for Pinkmen’s song, ‘Di Pa Rin Sapat (Ang Sahod)’, a 5-minute mirror-to-society visualizer which heavily presents working class struggles through guerilla-style shots and political imagery, utilizing the song’s explicit message about underpaid labor as base for the video.

In Zayco’s terms, her directorial approach for ‘Kandarapa’ differs from the mentioned music video through implementing more of an ‘art house’ style in its overall concept, toying around with colors (and the lack thereof), significant props that borders on metaphors, and of course the most prevalent of them all, the ocean. ‘They all echo what it feels like to live through cycles,’ the director says.

In the same breath, the young creative acknowledges the fact that this particular project holds a significant amount of weight, not only because she classifies herself as ‘fairly new’ in her film journey, but also this marks her first time working on a project of this caliber with Ely Buendia. ‘He gives you space to create, yet challenges you to see things from a deeper place,’ shares Zayco. ‘I used to see him as someone almost unreachable-a legend whose work defined generations.’

She also gets candid with her feelings, recalling the time when Buendia approached her to be the director of the single. She cites that the singer’s simple act of trust became her compass throughout the project.

The Kandarapa Music Video is set to premiere on October 19 (Sunday), 6PM on Ely Buendia’s YouTube channel. He also invites everyone to watch it with him through a livestream session on his TikTok account where fans can ask questions right after the premiere.

FILIPINO travelers heading to New Zealand can now breeze through airport immigration with the help of automated systems, thanks to a new policy that took effect on October 13.

Holders of Philippine ePassports aged 10 and above are now eligible to use the self-service lanes at all major New Zealand airports-for both arrivals and departures.

The move is part of New Zealand Customs’ broader push to digitize border processing, expanding eGate access to 11 additional countries and territories.

Alongside the Philippines, travelers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Seychelles, and San Marino are now included.

This brings the total number of eligible countries and territories to 59.

Streamlined Travel, Strong Security

New Zealand Customs and Immigration New Zealand conducted rigorous trials to ensure that ePassports from the newly added countries meet the nation’s high standards for border security and biometric compatibility.

The eGates use advanced facial recognition and passport chip data to verify travelers within seconds, allowing border officers to focus on higher-risk cases.

‘Together with completing a digital New Zealand Traveller Declaration, using eGates can help travellers reduce screening times, making it easier and faster to move through border security,’ Dana McDonald, Customs Group Manager for Border Operations, said.

Sarah Clifford, Director Border at Immigration New Zealand, added that this expansion makes genuine travel easier, ‘while maintaining the integrity of our border.’

Philippine Travel to NZ on the Rise

Over 31,000 Filipinos visited New Zealand last year, and the number continues to grow.

The inclusion of the Philippines in the eGate program is expected to further boost tourism and business travel, offering a smoother experience for Filipino visitors.

What You Need to Use eGates

A valid Philippine ePassport (age 10+)

Completion of the New Zealand Traveller Declaration online via https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/ or the NZTD app

With this upgrade, Filipino travelers can look forward to a more seamless journey-whether they’re exploring New Zealand’s stunning landscapes or heading home after a Kiwi adventure.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) isn’t just a household name but a driver in business continuity and builder of resiliency, especially among high-growth sectors.

In the latest episode of ‘Freshly Brewed,’ BusinessMirror’s digital show, Energy reporter Lenie Lectura sat down with Atty. Arnel Casanova, SVP and Chief External and Government Affairs Officer of Meralco, for an engaging discussion on how power is helping push the Philippines towards progress.

Celebrating its 122nd anniversary this year, Meralco cuts across sectors as the reliable power source of multiple sectors, ranging from household consumers to big corporations from various industries. The task to power up these groups is daunting as the population and business organizations multiply.

Wide reach

To jumpstart the conversation, Casanova gave the audience a glimpse of Meralco’s reach across the country. ‘Meralco is considered the biggest power distributor in the Philippines because we provide more than 50 percent of the nation’s power supply. But if you look at the geographical land area, Meralco’s franchise only covers two percent of the Philippine land area.’

Casanova said that Meralco’s services cover the National Capital Region, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cavite, parts of Quezon, three municipalities in Batangas, and parts of Pampanga.

‘It’s actually small in terms of land area, but in terms of capability and output, within the Meralco franchise, it is more than 55 percent of the Philippine Gross Domestic Product or GDP. It clearly shows (the contribution) of Meralco when it comes to economic growth. ‘

In the first half of the year, Meralco reported over eight million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in these franchise areas. ‘And it’s growing because the population is growing, as well as the country’s industries. We want to create more growth across the country so that everyone can be lifted,’ Casanova explained.

Power as an economic growth driver

To illustrate the impact of a strong distribution utility in enabling economic growth, the Meralco official cited the economic data in its Batangas franchise. There, Meralco services only three municipalities: Batangas City, Sto. Tomas, and San Pascual.

There are 34 towns in Batangas, Casanova said, but Meralco is only present in three. The two nearby towns are serviced by two small private utility distribution companies. ‘But when you look at the energy sales, Meralco’s performance in those three towns actually exceeds the entire province combined,’ he observed.

‘So, when Meralco entered Batangas in the 1990s, the cumulative annual growth rate of the economy in Batangas was 14 percent. That is a double-digit growth, year-on-year. For the last 30 years. So, when you look at those three towns in Batangas, those are the most progressive towns in the province.’

He added that the strong distribution utility in Metro Manila and the Calabarzon, which Meralco covers, correlates with the area being the center of growth and economic productivity. He said, ‘Meralco provides reliable power that the industries need. That is why you will also see the congestion of people because these are where the opportunities are available.’

In search of JV

Recently, the Meralco franchise was extended for another 25 years. Casanova stated that Meralco is open to joint ventures (JV) just as it had done in the past to widen its reach and improve its services.

‘Actually, we’re looking at all the electric cooperatives that are willing to have a joint venture with us. There’s a simple explanation for that: nation-building. When we look at the economic data again, the GDP per capita of Filipinos is about P503,000 per capita per annum, but the rest of the country lags between P150,000 to P200,000 per annum per capita.’

The gap of P300,000 per annum per capita is due to the lack of industries in the countryside, noted Casanova. ‘If you set up a manufacturing facility, cannery, a steel plant, a data center, or a semi-conductor plant, with foreign investors expected to come in-or, even, let’s say, cold storage facility or tourism-you cannot sustain these industries or grow them as fast as you want to when there is unreliable power.’

For its part, Casanova stressed that the company aims to boost the smaller electrical cooperatives by forging partnerships with them. ‘My view, and actually my role in the company, is that we really have to go beyond the Meralco franchise. It has a duty to help and empower our electric cooperatives so that everyone can be uplifted.

‘At a certain point, Metro Manila can only accommodate so much. But the industries must be able to move outside of the Meralco franchise and expand so that we can create more economic opportunities in the countryside. Basically, my analogy is that we make the pie bigger.’

Recently, Meralco has expressed its intent to partner with the Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATELEC II), proposing to support the cooperative’s operations and improve its reliability in the province.

In the 1970s and 80s, the early years of electrical cooperatives, these groups were created for rural electrification or to bring power to these areas. The focus then was to bring electricity to residences.

‘With the arrival of the digital age, however, the power demand has become so big that the non-stock, non-profit structure of the electric cooperatives can no longer cope with such big demands. So private capital is really the one that could adapt to that challenge,’ Casanova commented.

‘And that is why we have proposed to BATELEC II that since Batangas is the fastest industrializing province, we want them to be prepared for the present and future growth of the province. We proposed a joint venture so we could infuse capital and basically make challenges such as brownouts no longer a problem.’

Doing its share for a better Philippines, the focus now is on service reliability among the industries, concluded Casanova, for businesses to sustain their operations and thus be able to generate more jobs for Filipinos.

Watch the full episode on BusinessMirror’s YouTube channel. Catch new episodes of ‘Freshly Brewed’ on Mondays, 10 a.m. on BusinessMirror’s YT, FB, and website.

TEN of the finest golfers from the Philippines are set to bring national pride to the fairways when they join a host of major champions and big names for the inaugural International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus at Sta. Elena Golf Club from October 23 to 26.

Three-time Asian Tour champion Miguel Tabuena leads the charge in the event presented by BingoPlus that includes former world No.1 Dustin Johnson, 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

The 31-year-old Tabuena, who finished seventh and second in the 2024 and 2023 Asian Tour Order of Merit races, has two T5 finishes to his name this season and looked in good touch last time out on The International Series with a T11 at the Jakarta International Championship.

Justin Quiban has also shown some good form this season-following his career-best 54th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last season, his 2025 campaign got off to a good start with a top-20 finish in the Smart Infinity Philippine Open and a T10 at the star-studded International Series India presented by DLF.

‘It’s pretty exciting to be back home for The International Series, though a bit nerve-wracking with many friends coming to support,’ Quiban said. ‘I play at Sta. Elena quite often when I’m home, so it feels familiar.’

‘Having big names like Dustin Johnson in the field will definitely draw more fans to come out and support local players-it is going to be great for Philippine golf. It’s been a while since the Asian Tour returned here, and I’m excited to see how my game stacks up against the best,’ he added.

Sean Ramos, Aidric Chan, Carl Jano Corpus, Angelo Que, Keanu Jahns, Rupert Zaragosa, Clyde Mondilla and Perry Bucay will also be flying the flag for the Philippines in a dynamic lineup of proven performers and rising talent that will take on some of the biggest names in world golf.

Ramos earned his Asian Tour card last year, and continues to impress on The International Series, where he finished tied-22nd at International Series Morocco and tied-19th at the Jakarta International Championship last time out.

‘It is really exciting-probably the biggest golf event ever held in the Philippines,’ Ramos said. ‘To be able to play in it, and to do so on home soil, feels very special. I’ve been preparing by playing at Sta. Elena over the past few weeks to get familiar with the course and the greens.’

Two of the country’s most promising young golfers-cousins Aidric Chan and Carl Jano Corpus-secured their spots through the Asian Development Tour where they currently sit second and third on the Order of Merit.

Both players showcased their potential by claiming a victory each in back-to-back ADT events in Morocco earlier this season.

Veteran stars Que, Jahns and Zaragosa earned their berths via top finishes on the Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit, while Bucay-the country’s highest-ranked amateur on the WAGR-will make his debut in an International Series event.

The field also welcomes Mondilla, invited by presenting partner BingoPlus as part of its efforts to grow the game domestically-a four-time winner on the Philippine Golf Tour in 2017, has long been one of the nation’s most consistent performers.

The International Series Philippines is one of nine elevated events on the Asian Tour schedule this season that provide players from around the world a pathway into LIV Golf through the season-long Rankings race.

English twins Joaquin and Javier Bello struggled but found themselves on track in the deciding set to rally past their Italian counterparts- Samuelle Cottafava and Gianluca Dal Corso – for a semifinal slot in Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge on Saturday night.

The last year’s BPT Elite 16 tournament champion bested Cottafava and Dal Corso, 23-21, 25-21, 15-11, in the quarterfinal after defeating Belgians Kyan Vercauteren and Joppe Van Langendonck, 14-21, 21-19, 19-17, at round of 16 at the Nuvali Sands Courts by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

‘It was an exhausting match in the morning and then tonight, but we are grateful to our Filipino fans. We must give our best in the semifinal before thinking of anything else,’ Javier Bello said. ‘We must be ready all the time.’

Spain’s Alejandro Huerta and Adrian Gavira bested Italy’s Enrico Rossi and Marco Viscovich, 21-16, 21-17, for a semifinal spot while Austrian Christoph Dressler and Philip Waller beat Czech Tadeas Trousil and Jiri Sedlak, 21-18, 21-18, for a semifinal berth.

Italy’s another pair Manuel Alfieri and Alex Ranghieri trounced Indonesia Akbar Bintang and Sofyan Rachman Efendi, 17-21, 21-16, 15-12, to also barge to the semifinal round.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Stefanie Fejes and Jasmine Fleming blasted Japanese Ren Matsumoto and Non Matsumoto, 16-21, 21-18, 15-5, in the quarterfinal after taking down American Devonne Sours and Madison Shields, 19-21, 21-19, 15-11, in Round of 16.

They battle Lithuania’s Leva Dumbauskaite and Gerda Grudzinskaite in the semifinal. They crushed New Zealand’s Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald, 21-14, 17-21, 16-14, in the quarterfinal after bashing Aussies Taliqua Clancy and Jana Milutinovic, 21-16, 21-16.

Finnish Anniina Parkkinen and Valma Prihti toppled Switzerland’s Annique Niederhauser and Menia Bentele, 21-14, 21-17, in the quarterfinal to set up a semifinal showdown against Czechia’s Kylie Neuschaeferova and Martina Maixnerova.

Kylie and Maixnerova beat Brazil’s Thainara Oliveira and Talita Simonetti, 21-19, 21-16, in the round of 16 before whipping Estonia’s Heleene Hollas and Liisa Remmelg, 21-11,21-15, in the quarterfinal to claim their semifinal ticket.