MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the opening of a new Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) quarantine office at the Subic Freeport Zone, a move aimed at enhancing the country’s agricultural biosecurity and mitigating the risks posed by plant pests and diseases.
According to Philippines News Agency, the establishment of the PHP2-million quarantine office is a significant step toward safeguarding the nation’s agriculture sector and achieving food security goals. The Subic Freeport office will play a crucial role in protecting farmers and ensuring the biosecurity of incoming commodities through the freeport, thereby facilitating trade and logistics.
BPI director Gerard Glenn Panganiban stated that the new facility will streamline the quarantine process and support the acceleration of trading activities while maintaining stringent biosecurity measures. The DA also plans to expand the office’s capabilities to address future challenges, including securing additional land for further development in coordination with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).