Economic Assessment of a Change in Pesticide Regulatory Policy in the Philippines

SummaryIn response to growing health concerns, the Philippine government instigated a suite of pesticide regulatory policies and implementing guidelines and launched Integrated Pest Management as a National Program to promote a safer and an ecologically sound approach to pest control. The main aim of this study is to measure the economic benefits of the 1992–96 pesticide policy package. Specifically, the study examines those factors that influenced the government’s decision to change the policies on pesticides and pest control practices and attributes these benefits to the key players, with a focus on relevant International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) policy-orientated research.