18 August 2015 - Dr. Fedelino F. Malbas, Jr. of the Department of Health (DOH) led the Philippine delegation to the Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of Experts from August 10 to 14, at the United Nations in Geneva. 

Dr. Malbas updated the body of the status of Philippine compliance with commitments under the Biological Weapons Convention (ratified by the Philippines in 1972), the Chemical Weapons Convention and UN Security Council Resolution No. 1540 (agreed in 2005). 

Specifically, Dr. Malbas mentioned the Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA) filed in the Senate as Senate Bill No. 2762 (approved as amended at the second reading in August 2015) and in the House as House Bill 5822  (approved by all Members in Congress present in June 2015) as a key development that, when signed into law, will help align domestic legislation with international commitments made by the Philippines.

Outbreaks of diseases, whether through naturally occurring, accidental or intentional means was at the core of the discussions during the meeting. Presentations from various delegations on rapid emergency and humanitarian response, protection of front line workers, prevention/ curtailment of outbreaks, including recent outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa, as an example,  were extensively discussed. 

The Meeting of States Parties for the Biological Weapons Convention is scheduled on December 14 to 18, in Geneva. END