QUEZON CITY | June 27, 2022 – In accordance with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) aim to institutionalize the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and other DA attached regulatory agencies proposed a three-year project on the adoption of Good Regulatory Practices (GRP) last June 23-24, 2022 during a two-day virtual workshop.

The workshop was attended by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), National Dairy Authority (NDA), and FPA.

RIA is a systematic and critical approach in assessing the effects of proposed and existing regulations and non-regulatory alternatives. The institutionalization of RIA within the concerned agencies to craft better and sound regulations for the concerned stakeholders. This shall ensure that regulatory capability, effectiveness, efficiency, consultation, accountability, assessment methods, and coordination with other agencies and companies are improved when facilitating trade and market access.

Guided by Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) Consultant Ms. Dominique Lam, the regulatory offices came up with 3 proposals:

1. To pilot RIA in the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to achieve successful change in one agency;
2. To conduct RIA training in all agencies to benefit all DA agencies; and
3. To adopt operational GRP networks to bring the DA regulators together

For the RIA training in all agencies, the following activities were proposed:

• Consultation workshop with DA
• Stakeholder workshop
• Study visit to Malaysia
• Trainings and seminars
• Guidance and advice on policy manual

For the establishment of GRP Network, the following activities were planned:

• Agreement of the Terms of Reference,
• Organization of networking events
• Documentation and sharing of success stories within DA agencies
• Workshop for Industry Stakeholders

A department wide RIA Committee is also proposed to be created, composed of principals and representative from different agencies. Moreover, regular meetings will be conducted by RIA Core Groups across agencies for updates and other concerns.

The workshop was initiated by BAFS, headed by Assistant Director Mary Grace Mandigma and representatives from Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and NDA.

FPA Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART) representatives consisted of Ms. Maria Theresa Oliveros, Ms. Rowena Reyes, Ms. Mirasol Bacarisas, Ms. Jessica Kay Puno, Mr. Edward Allen Calapatia, Mr. Jesson Garcia, and Mr. Angelo Bugarin.

The project proposal is due for submission to STDF on June 30, 2022. ###

Sources:

Kirkpatrick, C; Parker, D. (2003). Regulatory Impact Assessment: Developing Its Potential for Use in Developing Countries. https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/RegulatoryImpact_Parker.pdf

Anti-Red Tape Authority. Regulatory Impact Assessment Manual. https://arta.gov.ph/riamanual/

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Regulatory Impact Assessment. https://www.oecd.org/regreform/regulatory-policy/ria.htm#:~:text=Regulatory%20impact%20assessment%20(RIA)%20is,encompasses%20a%20range%20of%20methods.

Standards and Trade Development Facility. Preparation Grants. https://www.standardsfacility.org/projectpreparationgrants?field_region_tid_i18n=1927&field_status_value_i18n=All&field_sector_value_i18n=All&field_tr_beneficiaries_tid=&fbclid=IwAR2QXEr_ymAjH73iDObXlF-EgougkETBHCfIcv5IkWqjeEijvGUNtEN7aMA