The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) has called for a stronger policy on the use of biotechnology crops in the Philippines as vital to the country’s long-term food security amid climate change and a rapidly growing population.

Congress should immediately craft a biotechnology law, which is forcible than a memorandum circular or administrative order to anchor the country’s policies to end hunger, Searca Director Gil Saguiguit Jr. said in a statement.