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Friday, May 23, 2003
GMOs advantageous to RP dev't -- Magsaysay
SENATOR Ramon Magsaysay Jr. Thursday said the national government, through the Department of Agriculture, is supporting the introduction and production of genetically modified organisms and crops in the country despite snowballing protests on the alleged detrimental effects of GMO to health.
Magsaysay also maintained that GMOs are advantageous to the country's development.
"If we do not introduce GMOs into the country, mahuhuli na tayo sa development. Other countries have embraced these products. I believe that the proper thing to do right now is to inform the public on the pros and cons of GMOs," Magsaysay said during a press conference held at the CAP Cultural Center in Camp John Hay.
Magsaysay, who spoke at the 50th annual convention of the Rural Banks Association of the Philippines here, stressed that if the country does not start introducing and producing GMOs, the country will face bigger expenses in importing products like rice and corn, which are supposed to be major products of the country.
"One of the major advantages of GMOs is that the farmers will have less expenses on fertilizers and pesticides. Non-GMO products are more expensive by 25 percent than GMOs simply because of the expenses allotted for these maintenance," Magsaysay said.
The senator also revealed that there is a scheduled public hearing on GMOs.
"This will serve as a venue for those who are against the introduction and production of GMOs in the country to air their concerns. DA Secretary Cito Lorenzo will be handling queries and will also be the one to cite the advatages of GMOs to the public," he said.
In the city, Andrew Haralam, 29, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and former American Peace Corps, earlier went on a hunger strike at the Malcolm Square to signify his disagreement to the introduction of the GMO-type Bt corn in the country.
Haralam told reporters that the possible detrimental effects of the genetically modified organism-product to the environment include agriculture homogenization and immunization of target pests.
He also warned that Bt corn could cause stomach and colon cancer, birth defects and neurodevelopment disorders. He claimed that these possible side effects of the product are irreversible.
Meanwhile, Magsaysay, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, expressed his commitment to help Cordilleran farmers; especially the vegetable farmers of Benguet become more competitive and productive.
"With the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade-World Trade Organization being a main concern of local traders, it is most important that we enhance our local farmers by introducing modern techniques of farming and enhancing storage, transporting and packaging the local produce," Magsaysay said.
He stressed that the Gatt-WTO should not faze local traders.
"We must always have a proactive stand on this matter. Initiatives are being undertaken by concerned government agencies to be able to help our local traders to be more competitive in the world market," he advised.
Magsaysay said that a farmer's program would be implemented soon to enhance the agricultural sector of the country. MAC
(May 23, 2003 issue)
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