Gov Aumentado orders fast

recall, disposal of GMO corn

CORTES, Bohol, Aug 19 (PIA) –Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has issued an Executive Order recalling all distributed Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) corn in Bohol consistent with the provincial ordinance prohibiting the use and planting of GMO here, and reactivating the GMO monitoring Committee.

Through Executive order No 30, series of 2023, the governor has reiterated the provincial development policy on natural and sustainable agriculture and in preserving the integrity of the local biosystem and ecology for posterity.

Acting on reports on distribution, planting and field testing of GMO corn and in fact this time hearing it from the Department of Agriculture and its representative during the El NinoTtask Force meeting last May 12, 2023, the governor, through his executive order cited section 3 of Provincial ordinance No 2003-10.

That specific section states that no person shall conduct any laboratory or field testing or any activity whatsoever, for the propagation of or experimentation related to GMOS on any plant, animal or micro-organism in any area within the territorial jurisdiction of Bohol.

Section 4 of the same ordinance ruled that any violation would be meted out with affine of not more than P5,000 or imprisonment not over one year of both, at the discretion of the court.

Moreover, it says juridical entitles found in violation of such ordinance could be subject to closure.

Immediately after the El Nino Task Force Meeting in May, the governor through its executive assistant on agriculture, convened to investigate the extent of the violation and discussed actions to further protect the welfare of Boholanos exposed to the potential threat.

Following the confirmation of the violation, the governor called for the immediate cessation of GMO distribution by all agencies and private individuals or entities, distribution channels and stakeholders involved in the sale, transfer or distribution of GMO corn in Bohol.

Aumentado also ordered the immediate and comprehensive retrieval and disposal of GMO corn in Bohol to ensure their disposal.

He also ordered through the executive act, the reactivation of the GMO monitoring Committee.

As for the monitoring and implementation of such, the governor tasked the Office of the provincial Agriculturist along with the Multi-Sectoral GMO Monitoring Committee to carry out the order, monitor the progress of the retrieval and disposal as well as take all the necessary legal action to safeguard the interest of the people and maintain the ecological balance of the province.

Even then, last May, Botong, Marawis, Maubo, Omjon Corn-growers Association BOMMOCA, passed resolution No 1, series of 2023, requested Governor Aumentado and the provincial legislators for an amendment of the ordinance banning the planting of GMO corn.

Kon mahimo, wala na unta ang maong balaod aron mapasayon ang pag-uma sa mais, ilabi na sa pagkakaron nga mahal na ang suholan sa pagpahinlo ug pagpatrabaho sa maisan.

If possible, take out the ordinance to facilitate corn farming, especially now that the costs of land preparation for corn farms are expensive.

The resolution as signed by BOMMOCA secretary Vilma Deloso and attested by Teresita Gamale, BOMMOCA president.

GMO authority Dr. Chito Miranda, in a webinar all debunked claims that GMOs help abolish hunger, has a higher yield, adapts well to climate change, is a cheaper food, resistant to pests and drought and allegedly has a better nutritional value.

Dr Miranda claimed that in the last 30 years, 4 GMO crops incoude soybeans, corn, canola and cotton and all use two traits: herbicide tolerance and pest resistance through glyphosate, which has been proven to be carcinogenic.

In fact, a study showed that a farmer using GMO Roundup-Ready Corn spent 10,500 for every 20 kilogram of RR Corn over P4,500 for every 20 kilogram of normal hybrid corn.

Glyphosate is proven to be toxic to cells, and hitting the neurohormones in humans, this causes birth defects, endocrine disruption, autism, tumors, kidney diseases apart from cancer causing. (RAHC/PIA-7/Bohol)

FULL HOUSE. PROS and Anti GMO gathered last week at the BPSTEA to clarify issues and air out concerns on the reported field testing of Roundup Ready GMO corn in some farms in Bohol despite a provincial ordinance that prohibited that. Many believe that the GMO corn, which were designed for feed mill raw materials were in fact eaten by farmers in Bohol. (PIABohol/foto by Lito Paderog)