The scheduled public consultations for the field trial of GR2E Golden Rice
in the Philippines have been completed. The local government units of Mu?oz,
Nueva Ecija and San Mateo, Isabela have engaged the public in the
consultation on July 18 and 19 to allow community members to ask questions
about the proposed field trial and submit their comments to DA-BPI.

Project leader Dr. Reynante Ordonio said, "This empowers the communities to
participate responsibly in a critical biosafety decision-making process. The
communities will be provided with all the information about the project and
Golden Rice, which were also posted in the community's most accessible
areas."

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is the government agency
that leads the development of Golden Rice in the Philippines. PhilRice
applied for a biosafety permit to conduct field trials on February 28, 2017
following the requirements of the Joint Department Circular No. 1 series of
2016.

[www.philrice.gov.ph]