The Department of Agriculture – Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO), the Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), and other key biotechnology centers of the DA spearheaded the 22nd Meeting of the ASEAN Genetically Modified Food Testing Network (GMFNet). They held the main meeting at Vivere Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa, and led laboratory tours at the BPI-NPQSD Central Laboratory and in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, from June 23 to 27. They organized activities for representatives from ASEAN member states to discuss each country’s current capacity in GMO testing.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation of the ASEAN GMFNet Plan of Action for 2026–2030, which aims to expand the network’s scope to include plant products derived from gene editing. In addition, a representative from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shared an overview of the existing guidelines and policies related to the regulation of gene-edited agricultural products. The Genetic Literacy Initiative (GLI) also delivered a presentation on international experiences and regulatory approaches to address the issue of low-level presence (LLP) of GMOs in agricultural shipments.

As part of the program, delegates visited the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) NPQSD Central Laboratory, where they were warmly welcomed by Bureau Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban. The visit aimed to emphasize BPI’s mandate to ensure the safety of GMOs and to showcase the laboratory’s capabilities in testing genetically modified agricultural commodities. The activity began with a brief presentation on the laboratory’s ongoing initiatives, followed by a guided tour highlighting the facilities used for GMO testing. The visit concluded with a meaningful exchange of knowledge and experiences, further reinforcing the ASEAN GMFNet’s collective goal of establishing a safe, science-based, and interconnected region in the field of GMO testing.