Ban of GMOs in Davao pushed
Councilor Rachel Zozobrado, the City Agriculturist Office and environmental groups joined calls for the city council to totally ban Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) starting with GM hybrid corn in the city and support thrust in promoting Organic Agriculture. “If it is ok with the mayor (Rodrigo Duterte) to totally ban GMO then we will push for that since there are already cities and municipalities doing that,” Zozobrado said in an interview during the Policy Forum on “Protecting the Rights of Organic Agriculture Practitioners in Davao City Against GMO Contamination” held yesterday in the city. The Forum, which was initiated by the City Agriculturist Office and Go Organic Davao, tackled the various threats posed by GMOs not only to the environment but also to health and to the livelihood of farmers. The call to ban GMO was triggered after white corn called “sige-sige” is reported widely planted in Davao City, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Bukidnon, Sarangani, and Agusan del Sur.
Group warns GMO contamination of Mindanao cornfields
DAVAO CITY – Groups advocating organic farming worry on the possible contamination of cornfields in Mindanao after a study conducted by farmers’ group Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (Masipag) showed a white corn variety in Bukidnon tested positive with the genetically modified Round-up Ready (RR corn) hybrid traits. The study was conducted on sige-sige corn samples in September last year by Masipag Mindanao. A similar test was reportedly conducted by the non-government environmental organization, Greenpeace, which had similar results. Go-Organic Davao City (GODC) said Sige-sige refers to a white corn variety in which the seed can be used again during successive planting seasons.
Proper labelling of GMO products to be pushed
DAVAO City Councilor Rachel Zozobrado, vice-chair of the Committee on Agriculture of the Davao City Council, said they will push for proper labeling of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) products for consumer’s benefit. Zozobrado, in a media interview at the sideliness of the policy forum protecting the rights of Organic Agriculture Practitioners in Davao City Against Genitically Modified Organism contamination, said that she will collaborate with councilor Marissa Abella Committee on Food and Agriculture to push through an ordinance that will ensure proper labeling of farm products. “After listening earlier, you’ll see how dangerous ang introduction ng GMO and we know also for a fact that spread out na ang GMO. I am thinking of collaboration with Councilor Abella because it is her committee,” Zozobrado said.
Davao organic group eyes certification of 100 local organic farms
DAVAO CITY — Davao’s Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) group is looking to give organic certification to up to 100 small farms in the city as construction of a permanent organic produce trading post goes on in the city center. Nena R. Morales, Davao-PGS chairwoman, said the group has already awarded certificates to five organic farmers and farms so far. Twenty are currently being assessed, with several still lined up for the rest of the year. The PGS, as defined by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) headquartered in Germany, “are locally focused quality assurance systems. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.” Ms. Morales further explained that under the PGS, an organic farmer is examined by a peer network of organic farmers and stakeholders that verify compliance with established standards.
Fake rice? Eat organic rice
DAVAO CITY — Organic food advocates here are encouraging local consumers to try out different varieties of organically grown rice in the local market amidst the growing concern about “fake” rice in the market. On Sunday, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate the alleged fake rice. Rice retailers were also warned by Duterte saying that they will be held accountable if proven that they are selling fake rice.
Organic farming zones pushed
DAVAO CITY – On the occasion of the worldwide Earth Day celebration this April 22, 2015, organic farming advocates are renewing their call for the city government to establish the city’s organic zones as mandated by the Davao City Organic Agriculture Ordinance of 2010. “Organic farms increase the fertility of soils and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Establishing organic farming zones all around the city will ensure Davao’s food security and make the city climate resilient.”, said Go Organic Davao City (GoDC) member Joy Enriquez. Davao’s Organic Agriculture Management Council (OAMC) had initially identified Barangay Sibulan in Toril District as one of the ideal sites for an organic farming zone due to the high number of organic farming practitioners in the areas. The area is home to the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe which has adopted organic agriculture as a predominant way of farming life.