WITH the recent signing of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (Republic Act 11215), co-author Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin is calling for the inclusion of agricultural workers in the cancer awareness campaign mandated by the law.
Under Article IV of the measure, the awareness campaign must increase cancer literacy among Filipinos and help understand risk factors associated with cancer. Agricultural workers, particularly those who are working in vegetable farms, have high exposure to pesticides with carcinogens.
Deputy Speaker Garin, who authored the Farm Workers’ Protection Act (House Bill 6279), which aims to provide firmer guidelines on the protection of farmers and farmworkers, highlighted the importance of including the agricultural workers and educating them about the risks of being exposed to highly toxic pesticides that may lead to cancer.
According to the Journal of Rural Medicine, organophosphate insecticides are the most common category used in the Philippines, followed by carbamates and synthetic pyrethroids. Many carbamates are known carcinogens.
To further illustrate the adverse effects of abnormal exposure to toxic chemicals, Deputy Speaker Garin also cited a 2010 study conducted in Northern Luzon where children aged six to eight years old who were involved in pesticide preparation and application for vegetable growing were reported to experience headaches, skin irritation and abdominal pain.
To lessen the exposure of farmers and consumers to harmful chemicals, she then sought support for the development of organic agriculture in the country that promotes the use of natural pesticides and fertilizers.
Organic agriculture, according to the Department of Agriculture, will enhance soil fertility and farm biodiversity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment and prevent further depletion of natural resources.
Further, organic agriculture products are less prone to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) commonly found in industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides. EDCs have been found to drive cancer progression and are known to interfere with any aspect of hormone function.
As the voice of farmers in Congress, Deputy Speaker Garin is optimistic that the concerned agencies and stakeholders involved in the drafting of the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) will consider the welfare of agricultural workers in the ongoing discussions. (PR)