MANILA: The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has announced a strategic partnership with FMC Research Solutions, Inc., a Filipino regulatory technology firm, to launch a pilot program aimed at improving the safety and quality control of imported agricultural products. This initiative seeks to bolster the inspection and quarantine capabilities of the BPI in light of new legislative measures targeting agricultural smuggling.
According to Philippines News Agency, BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban emphasized the need for advanced technological solutions to support the recent enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act, which grants the Department of Agriculture expanded powers to tackle the smuggling of agricultural goods. The agreement with FMC Research aligns with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.’s efforts to digitize and streamline the department’s operations.
The collaboration will enable BPI to utilize an end-to-end system designed to address food safety challenges and prevent agricultura
l smuggling. “We will gain additional verification points for the inspection of agricultural products. This initiative will complement the existing tools of BPI, allowing us to be more proactive in ensuring the availability of safe, pest-free, and disease-free agricultural commodities,” Panganiban stated.
Melody Chua, co-founder of FMC Research, noted that the pilot program would enhance BPI’s monitoring and inspection processes. “Our proposed solution ensures comprehensive coverage to enhance the monitoring and audit functions of regulatory agencies by providing the needed reports and business analytics to aid the Bureau of Plant Industry,” she said.
FMC Research specializes in a comprehensive lifecycle monitoring system for imported agricultural products, which it will leverage to support BPI’s efforts in maintaining high standards of food safety.