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The Bureau of Plant Industry National Plant Quarantine Services Division inaugurated its office at Subic Bay Freeport Zone on August 20
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The office aims to prevent the entry of foreign pests into the country via the Subic port, contain and minimize the spread of pests already existing in the country and comply with phytosanitary requirements of trading partners
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) National Plant Quarantine Services Division inaugurated its office at Subic Bay Freeport Zone on August 20.
The new office will enhance the country’s agricultural biosecurity and address potential risks posed by plant pests and diseases, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
“Today, we are making substantial progress in our aim to guarantee the well-being of our agriculture industry and the prosperity of our farmers,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr said in a statement.
“The establishment of this new office in Subic holds a significant importance due to its position as a prominent center for trade and logistics. Let us continuously improve our border control system with increased efficiency and effectiveness,” Tiu added.
The DA chief said the NPQSD office aims to prevent the entry of foreign pests into the country via the Subic port, contain and minimize the spread of pests already existing in the country, and comply with phytosanitary requirements of trading partners.
Tiu Laurel highlighted the critical role of plant quarantine services in maintaining food security and supporting farmers as the introduction of pests and diseases can have severe economic repercussions.
For his part, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño welcomed the new NPQSD office as it would help foil the smuggling of illegal agricultural products in the freeport.
BPI director Gerard Glenn Panganiban said having a physical office in Subic Freeport facilitates the quarantine process and hastens trading activity while ensuring biosecurity of incoming commodities through the freeport. All importations of plant-based agricultural commodities are directed to go through the BPI plant quarantine office at the respective ports for the mandatory document verification and inspection.
Panganiban said BPI will collaborate with SBMA to pursue development plans that, among others, will help in the “food security in the locality.”
Panganiban said the P2 million project started in 2018 but was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction resumed in 2022.
Tiu Laurel outlined plans for expanding the facility’s capabilities to tackle future issues, including securing additional land for future needs.
