• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) committees on Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources are open to suggestions from organic farming advocates opposing the proposed GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) Regulatory Ordinance, according to committee chairman Board Member Andrew Montelibano.
During a public hearing held at the SP session hall yesterday, Montelibano encouraged organic farming advocates to submit their position papers next week, detailing their suggestions – what they want to adjust, add, or replace in the ordinance.
“We will see if it is feasible,” Montelibano said. “If there’s something we need to rephrase in our ordinance, we are more than willing,” he added.
In opposing the proposed ordinance, the groups emphasized that the provincial government is under no legal obligation to amend its landmark anti-living GMO ordinance to conform with the Joint Department Circular.
They argued that the circular is merely an administrative issuance that sets minimum national standards for the release of GMOs and does not mandate alignment from local government units.
“We assert that defending the ban on living GMO crops and animals is not merely about policy, but about protecting the agricultural future of Negros Island and its people,” the GMO-Free Negros Coalition stated.
Meanwhile, the provincial government’s legal-scientific team, which supports the enactment of the GMO regulatory ordinance, maintained that the measure would “safeguard food security, protect farmers, and embrace science-based innovation while upholding the province’s organic identity.”
Montelibano acknowledged that GMOs are prevalent, saying, “Whether we like it or not, GMO is everywhere.” While expressing continued support for organic farming, he added, “We believe that it is not sufficient to go fully organic for the rest of our lives.”
“At the end of the day, the people of Negros Occidental—not only the officials—have the choice on what to eat and how to live,” Montelibano said.
Vice Governor Jose Benito Alonso also voiced support for a combination of GMO and organic farming.
“Let us be realistic. As the population increases, we need to combine both, otherwise, we will go hungry,” Alonso said.
He added that there is no evidence that people die because of GMOs, and emphasized the need to strike a balance between organic and GMO practices.
The GMO-Free Negros Coalition urged the provincial government to ensure the proper implementation of Provincial Ordinance No. 07, Series of 2007, which promotes and develops organic agriculture, addresses food production issues, and strengthens support for organic farming.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz noted that despite 18 years of promoting organic agriculture in Negros Occidental, only a few farmers have obtained certification for Good Agricultural Practices. He also pointed out that organic agriculture alone cannot meet the food and livestock feed needs of Negrenses. | GB
