The Department of Agriculture is considering the establishment of a Bio-Safe facility at the Subic Bay Freeport to strengthen the country’s protection of agriculture, fisheries, and fertilizer supply chains against smuggling and disease threats.

Officials from the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement unit, led by Carlos Carag, recently met with representatives of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, headed by Chief-of-Staff Von F. Rodriguez, to discuss the proposed facility.

The project forms part of the government’s ₱1-billion Bio-Safe biosecurity program for 2026, which aims to ensure that all agricultural products undergo inspection before entering ports and proceeding through Bureau of Customs processes.

Subic is among the key locations being eyed for the program’s initial rollout, alongside the Manila International Container Terminal and the Port of Davao.

The initiative seeks to strengthen border controls, curb agricultural smuggling, and prevent disruptions in food supply and prices. It also aims to guard against transboundary animal diseases such as African Swine Fever and Avian Influenza, which have previously caused significant industry losses.

Authorities said the Bio-Safe program is expected to improve detection of illegal imports, tighten sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and help protect the local agriculture sector from future economic shocks.