• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government said the proposed amendments to the existing ordinance banning genetically modified organisms (GMO) in the province will be harmonized with the national policy.
In a statement issued by the joint legal-scientific team yesterday, it affirmed the province’s commitment to ensuring that local agricultural policies remain science-based, aligned with national regulations, and responsive to the needs of the people.
Organic farming advocates, church leaders, and civil society groups, are up in arms over the proposed amendments to the GMO ordinance, claiming that that introducing GMO testing “undermines decades of work that positioned Negros Occidental as a national leader in organic farming, food sovereignty, and ecological sustainability.”
They also stressed the need to protect the rights of farmers and consumers against corporate-driven technologies that could endanger health, biodiversity, and sovereignty.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson encouraged those opposing the amendments to the GMO ban ordinance to attend the public hearing on Sept. 9.
Lacson said he will wait for the decision of the Provincial Board before making any further comment.
During the public hearing, they can air their concerns, the governor said.
The joint legal-scientific team pointed out there is a compelling need to amend the existing GMO ordinance to ensure consistency with the national policy framework on GMO regulation, as set forth under the Joint Department Circular No. 01, series of 2021 jointly issued by the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Health, and Interior and Local Government.
“While the province is proud of its organic farming heritage, we also face challenges such as climate change, pest outbreaks and food security threats,” it said, stressing that biotechnology provides tools to overcome such issues.
It added: “The Negros Occidental provincial government assures its people that the ordinance does not abandon the values of sustainability and cultural heritage. Rather, it strengthens our capacity to respond to modern agricultural challenges by aligning local law with national policy and scientific evidence”. | GB
