With the growing interest of both the scientific and public community in the use of modern biotechnology as a tool to address the emerging concerns of food security, especially in the face of rapidly growing population and continuous environmental degradation, there is an immediate need to provide a strong, yet efficient means to address the safety of crops of modern biotechnology.

In recognizing the potentials of modern biotechnology, a responsive regulatory system is needed in handling products of modern biotechnology. In this regard, the DA issued Administrative Order No. 8 (AO No. 8) governing the importation and release into the environment of plants and plant products derived from the use of modern biotechnology.

Pursuant to DA-AO No. 8, the Bureau of Plant Industry-Biotechnology Core Team (BPI- BCT) was created to achieve a systematic and clear implementation of the programmed activities of AO No. 8. Since its creation, the BPI- BCT has been responsible in providing administrative and technical support in the processing of application forms, evaluate completeness and sufficiency of the submitted applications, conduct of environmental risk assessment and establish registry of regulated products. The BPI-BCT was also tasked to document reports, proposals, guidelines and other procedural activities relevant to AO No. 8.

Through the BCT, the implementation of biotechnology regulation was effectively managed. The perseverance, resourcefulness, dedication and continuous capability building of the Biotech Core Team members in performing the task of modern biotechnology regulation led for the Philippines to become a model for developing countries for its science based and transparent biosafety regulatory system for biotech crops.

In 1987, scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Quarantine Officer of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and the Director for Crops of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), recognizing the potential harm of the introduction of exotic species and genetic engineering formed a committee and formulated the biosafety protocols and guidelines for genetic engineering and related research activities for UPLB and IRRI researchers. The committee went on to draft a Philippine biosafety policy, which was submitted to the Office of the President.

On October 15, 1990, recognizing the potential for modern biotechnology both in improving the lives of the people and in creating hazards if not handled properly, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order 430, creating the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) that formulated, reviewed and amended national policy on biosafety and formulated guidelines on the conduct of activities on genetic engineering. Thus, the NCBP comprised the representatives of the Departments of Agriculture (DA); Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Health (DOH); and Science and Technology (DOST), 4 scientists in biology, environmental science, social science and physical science; and 2 respected members of the community.

On July 16, 2001, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued the Policy Statement on Modern Biotechnology, reiterating the government policy on promoting the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology. On April 3, 2002, Department of Agriculture issued an Administrative Order No. 8, Series of 2002, implementing the guidelines for importation and release into the environment of plants and plant products derived from the use of modern biotechnology.

In March 17, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order No.514, "Establishing the National Biosafety Framework", prescribing guidelines for its implementation, reorganizing the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines, and for other purposes. The NCBP now involves more government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Health (DOH) to reflect the breadth and complexity of issues related to modern biotechnology. Other Departments and agencies which shall participate in biosafety decision making where appropriate, are the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in promoting and protecting Philippine interests on biosafety in bilateral, regional and multilateral forums; the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in relation to biosafety decisions which have impact on trade, intellectual property rights, investments and consumer welfare and protection; the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, in relation to biosafety decisions which have a specific impact on indigenous peoples and communities; and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in relation to biosafety decisions which have impact on the autonomy of local government units.