How to save water? Harvest rainwater
DAVAO CITY – An environmental group urges residents here to save water by harvesting rainwater and storing it for household chores. Mark Penalver policy advocacy specialist of the Interface Development Interventions (Idis) said “harvesting rainwater for domestic or industrial use will lessen our water utility bills since we won’t waste drinking water for flushing toilets, cleaning households or for watering gardens.” The local government passed a Davao City Rainwater Ordinance in 2009, mandating the establishment of rainwater catching systems (RCS) in newly built residences and buildings. The policy was formulated to promote the storage and usage of rainwater for non-potable use.
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.
Envi group pushes gov’t to use lead safe paints
DAVAO CITY – Environmental group Interface Development Interventions, said the local government should have a policy requiring government agencies to get lead-safe paint. Executive Director Ann Fuertes said in a statement that the policy “will send a strong message that the Davao LGU is taking the lead in reducing real and potential exposure to lead and mercury which can be found in paints, gasoline, lamps and batteries.” “This will mean that government purchasing entities will be mandated to procure lead-safe paints for use in the construction of all citywide government facilities,” she added.
Paint companies say no to lead
SEVEN paint companies has confirmed to no longer carry products with toxic lead additives as support on Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) procurement for a lead-safe paint. In partnership with the Ecowaste Coalition, a nationwide environmental watchdog group, submitted a position paper to the committee, which is headed by Councilor Leonardo Avila III in aid of legislation. The companies, which prefer to be unnamed, has officially sent letters to the EcoWaste Coalition reiterating their commitment to comply with the phase-out timeline. Local paint manufacturers begun transitioning to non-lead paint production. IDIS said that there are lead-free paints that are already available in the market.