Bacolod backs GMO-free province
BACOLOD CITY -- The city government of Bacolod supports the campaign of the province against the entry of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) products.
Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said the Sangguniang Panglungsod last March passed an ordinance prohibiting the entry of the said products to the city.
“We are one also with the province in promoting organic agriculture,” Sayson added.
Recently, the provincial government team has intercepted the entry of 101.25 tons of whole corn found positive for Genetically Modified Organisms at the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco) port.
Governor Isidro Zayco believed that the intercepted corn may be part of 15,746 bags or 750 tons of genetically modified corn worth P18 million shipped by Bounty Fresh Foods from La Union and Ilocos to Negros consignee Bounty Agro Ventures on April 4.
The 750 tons of whole corn was shipped out of Negros on April 13 on orders of the governor, in compliance with the said ordinance.
“The provincial government will allow the shipping out of the intercepted corn with a warning that a repeat will be dealt with more severely,” Zayco stressed.
The governor also commended the team that intercepted the genetically modified corn.
Provincial Ordinance No. 07, Series of 2007 bans the entry of all GMO products in order to institute “stringent measures towards the protection of biodiversity and attainment of the status of Negros as an Organic Food Island in Asia."