Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has filed a measure seeking to overhaul the country’s product regulatory system by transferring some functions of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to government agencies with more specialized expertise.
Escudero filed Senate Bill No. 2310, or the proposed “Product Regulatory System Reform Act,” which aims to streamline regulatory processes, address overlapping mandates, and strengthen consumer protection through a science-based and risk-informed framework.
The senator said the proposed reform seeks to reduce bureaucratic delays affecting both consumers and businesses while ensuring that products in the market meet safety and quality standards.
“Product regulation efficiency is critical for promoting public health and safety, and for protecting consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products,” Escudero said in the bill’s explanatory note.
He added that government regulation is necessary to address concerns that individual consumers cannot reasonably verify on their own, including product quality and compliance with technical and manufacturing standards.
Under the proposed measure, the regulation of raw and unprocessed food products will be transferred to the Department of Agriculture (DA), while processed food, cosmetics, and other consumer products will be placed under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Other products may also be assigned to specialized government agencies based on their risk profile and existing mandates.
Escudero said the realignment would allow regulatory responsibilities to be handled by agencies with the appropriate technical knowledge and institutional capacity.
The bill also requires stronger coordination among government agencies to prevent duplication of functions and improve the delivery of regulatory services.
Escudero said updating the current framework is necessary due to rapid technological developments, increasingly complex products, changing local and global markets, and emerging public health risks.
To ensure a smooth transition, the proposed law provides that existing permits, registrations, and authorizations issued by the FDA will remain valid until their expiration.
Pending applications and ongoing enforcement actions will also be completed by the agency that will assume the transferred regulatory function.
Escudero said the proposed reforms aim to establish a more coherent and efficient regulatory system that protects public health, consumer welfare, and safety while supporting innovation and investment.
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