Ang Pahayagan

Subic Bay Freeport – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to build a Bio-Safe facility in Subic Bay Freeport to help protect the country’s agriculture, fisheries, and fertilizer supply from smuggling and diseases.

Earlier this week, officials from the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement unit, led by Undersecretary Carlos Carag, met with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) representatives to discuss setting up the facility in key locations nationwide.

The proposed Bio-Safe facility is part of the government’s ₱1-billion biosecurity program for 2026. It aims to inspect agricultural products before they enter ports and undergo processing by the Bureau of Customs.

Aside from Subic, the DA is also considering the Manila International Container Terminal and the Port of Davao for the first phase of the program.

The initiative seeks to strengthen border control, curb smuggling, and prevent disruptions in food supply and price increases.

It also aims to stop the spread of diseases such as African Swine Fever and Avian Influenza, which have previously caused major losses in the agriculture sector.

TOP📸: Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chief-of-Staff Atty. Von F. Rodriguez shows the Subic Bay Freeport Zone map to Department of Agriculture-Inspectorate and Enforcement (DA-IE) Unit Undersecretary Carlos Carag during the former’s recent visit to explore its mandate to establish a Bio-Safe facility here. (Photo courtesy of SBMA / ROBIN C. TUAZON)