San Carlos bishop weighs in vs proposed GMO ordinance in Negros Occidental

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San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza speaks after the provincial government posted on its social media page a manifesto from six livestock and poultry groups backing GMO entry

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – San Carlos City, Negros Occidental Bishop Gerardo Alminaza on Tuesday, September 16, weighed in as he joined groups opposed to a proposed ordinance that would end Negros Occidental’s 18-year ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Alminaza spoke after the provincial government posted on its social media page a manifesto of support from six livestock and poultry groups backing GMO entry, citing cheaper animal feed and more income for corn growers.

“It is a fact that corn plays a vital role as a major component of animal feeds that comprise roughly 70% of our cost of operations,” the pro-GMO groups said.

They said the proposed ordinance would cut feed costs by ensuring a stable supply of yellow corn, give farmers more income opportunities, boost the provincial economy by reducing imports, and strengthen food security through a more sustainable supply of meat, eggs and other products.

The pro-GMO groups which expressed support for the proposed ordinance are the following:

• Negros Occidental Hog Raisers Association (NOHRA)
• Negros Occidental Layers Association (NOLA)
• Association of Broilers Integrators of Negros Occidental (ABINO)
• Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental (ARHANO)
• United Cattle Raisers Association in Negros (UCRAIN)
• Negros Occidental Swine Inseminators (NOSI)

But Alminaza said the move favors “profit-oriented millionaires or billionaires,” and would harm small farmers in the province.

“They’re not keen about the contamination that GMOs may cause later in the environment, harming more small farmers in the province,” he said.

Other groups also warned of risks.

Andrea Lizares-Si of the Provincial Council for Women, and Development Action for Women Netwok (DAWN) Foundation, said, “Now, that the province wants to allow Bt corn to come in, will sugar planters in Negros want to shift from sugar to GMO-embedded corn?”

Ruth Gamboa, a retired biology professor at the University of the Philippines in Mindanao (UPM), said GMOs threaten biodiversity, soil fertility and food security, while Joshua Villalobos, convenor of the Negros Initiative for Climate and Environment (NICE), urged the province’s policymakers to “keep GMOs out of Negros” and continue organic farming.

Green Alert Network, an environmental group which is part of the anti-GMO coalition, vowed daily protests until the measure is scrapped. On Friday, September 12, its members staged a protest dubbed the “butt campaign” to draw public attention to their cause. The protesters exposed their buttocks in broad daylight during a demonstration in full public view in Bacolod.

GAN founder Rusty Biñas said they hoped to win more support for their anti-GMO advocacy. – Rappler.com