Phl calls for information sharing on biosecurity

The Philippines has called for information sharing on biosecurity that has become more urgent for the country’s national security given the threat of bioterrorism or the spread of disease through natural occurrences.

Professor Irma Makalinao of the University of the Philippines, a technical expert of the country on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons, delivered a presentation entitled, “The Value of Technical Information Exchange to Improve Regional and Global Biosecurity,” on the sidelines of the Meeting of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) 2017 in Geneva.

The event was hosted by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health and Security. The aim of the activity was to enhance engagement among regional players in the hope of improving national and regional responses to biological events, whether these are natural, accidental or intentional occurrences.

In her presentation, Makalinao highlighted the importance of information sharing in biosecurity, saying it is “a shared collective responsibility, and there is a growing need for coordination and coopera- tion among government agencies and other relevant players on this aspect.”

Makalinao added that there are Philippine initiatives in promoting biosecurity in the country such as through the CBRN National Action Plan and the country’s move toward a regulatory framework for the National Biological Materials of Concern Program.

The side event was held during the Meeting of States Parties to the BWC, which resulted in an agreement on an intersessional program of work for states parties on how to further implement the treaty prior to the 2021 review conference.