Taguig city: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to fully shift to digital operations in 2026 as part of broader governance reforms aimed at improving regulatory efficiency while safeguarding public health. FDA Director General Paolo Teston made the statement during the ‘Big Bold Reforms: The Philippines 2026’ forum organized by the Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday at the Shangri-La, The Fort in Taguig City.
According to Philippines News Agency, Teston emphasized the agency’s commitment to reform and responsiveness, stating that while the FDA’s mandate to protect public health remains unchanged, the approach to delivering on this mandate is evolving. He highlighted recent performance improvements, such as higher application processing output, better manpower utilization, system consolidation through cloud migration, and the reopening of the Food and Drug Action Center with enhanced client services.
Teston announced that the FDA will transition to digital operations by 2026, a move expected to enhance the speed, transparency, and predictability of regulatory services. Through participation in the Big Bold Reforms forum, the FDA reaffirmed its commitment to governance reforms that support economic growth while ensuring public health protection.
In 2025, the FDA reinforced a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach by coordinating with partner agencies, industry groups, civil society, and other stakeholders. It engaged in sustained dialogues and platforms such as Kapihan at Talakayan and strengthened international collaboration with the World Health Organization and regional and global regulatory platforms to stay abreast of evolving science and emerging risks.
These efforts improved regulatory practices and ensured global standards translated into tangible protection and benefits for Filipinos. The agency expanded community outreach by supporting initiatives like Lab for All to bring regulatory and advisory services closer to communities, improving access to guidance for consumers and small businesses, and strengthening public awareness about health product safety.
Through its Field Regulatory Operations Office, the FDA intensified nationwide inspections, post-market surveillance, and enforcement activities to prevent unsafe and unregistered health products from reaching the public. Over 22,000 post-market surveillance activities were conducted, and 17,348 establishments were inspected. The agency documented 1,174 cases and confirmed 876 takedowns through online platform monitoring to protect consumers and maintain public trust.
The FDA advanced regulatory reforms to clarify processes, improve service responsiveness, and promote equitable access while upholding science-based standards. Key measures included the opening of the new Food and Drug Action Center, suspension of selected fees, support for micro, small, and medium enterprises, accelerated digital upgrades, and sustained advocacy efforts, all contributing to clearer, more predictable processes and stronger public confidence in the regulatory system.
The FDA’s workforce was bolstered through plantilla augmentation and capacity-building programs to sustain reforms and ensure effective, science-based regulation. Its regulatory centers processed over 177,311 applications nationwide, underscoring the importance of a well-supported workforce in delivering consistent public service amid system transitions.
