In the Philippines, the National Committee on Plant Genetic Resources (NCPGR) recommends policies, rules and regulations, and determines the overall direction of all plant genetic resources activities. Established by the Department of Science and Technology in 1993, the committee consists of representatives from the 15 government and non-government agencies mandated to conduct plant genetic resources activities. It has also developed partnerships with other local and international organisations involved in PGRFA work.
Policies, Plans, and Legislation: Several laws and executive orders concerning protected areas, seed regulations, biosafety, the rights of indigenous peoples and access to genetic resources, as well as plans such as the Philippine Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation, the Philippine Agenda 21 and the Magna Carta for Small Farmers have been developed, often following lengthy consultation among the various stakeholders. Consultations with stakeholders are standard procedure before defining Philippine positions at international and regional plant genetic resources fora.
For instance, in 1998 the committee sponsored a National Consultation on the FAO International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources and Farmers’ Rights, which brought together representatives of farmers’ groups, local, regional and international NGOs, universities and government agencies. The committee has also encouraged coordination among the national agencies responsible for PGRFA, including the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Science and Technology, and Environment and Natural Resources.
Implementation of PGRFA Activities: On-site conservation is carried out on-farm by farming communities. These communities may form a collective group, such as the Magsasaka at Siyentista Para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Akmang Agricultura (MASIPAG). Regional agencies, such as the Southeast Asian Regional Institute for Community Education (SEARICE) and Genetic Resources Action International (GRAIN), also provide technical and other forms of support. For protected areas, such as wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes and seascapes, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assigns management responsibilities to indigenous peoples, with the active support of many NGOs. Off-site conservation and use, in contrast, are handled mainly by government agencies as part of their crop improvement programmes.