August 3, 2026 – Building on the longstanding agricultural partnership between the Philippines and Thailand, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) welcomed representatives from Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), Thai Trade Center Manila (TTC Manila), and Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) for a high-level meeting on rice trade, food security, and regulatory cooperation at the Director’s Office Conference Room.

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The meeting was presided over by BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D., together with Assistant Director for Regulatory Services and Administration Ruel C. Gesmundo and National Plant Quarantine Services Division Chief Joan-May R. Tolentino. The Thai delegates were led by Chanintorn Rimcharoen, Deputy Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade, and Chookiat Ophaswongse, Honorary President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, along with other representatives.

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The discussions covered the exchange of information on rice import policies, phytosanitary and food safety regulations, and market developments in the Philippines under BPI’s regulatory mandate. The delegation also discussed import procedures and requirements for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) and phytosanitary measures. A request from the Thai side to classify Pathumthani rice as Premium/Special Rice was also taken up.

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The meeting follows previous engagements between BPI and Thai counterparts, including bilateral discussions held in 2023 to strengthen agricultural trade and explore collaboration on the safe trade of agricultural commodities.

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The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Philippines and Thailand to facilitate safe, efficient, and transparent agricultural trade while strengthening plant health and food safety systems and supporting regional food security.