A six-day hearing on a controversial provincial ordinance which imposes a ban on the entry of genetically modified organisms (provincial ordinance 007-2007)in Negros Occidental has kicked Wednesday at the Provincial Board (PB) session hall.
Vice Governor Emilio Yulo III said the hearings will determine whether or not the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will repeal or amend the ordinance that has been the subject of a series of discussions in the province in the past months.
The ordinance strictly calls for the banning of the entry of agriculture products with genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) specifically on corn and other grain products.
“The result will be used as our basis in what final decision we could take for the ordinance,†Yulo said.
But, in the meantime, the ordinance remains in effect as it is still an existing law continuously banning the entry of GMO products into the province.
Yulo said they will be inviting speaker from here and abroad to shed light on issues being raised on products with GMO.
The speakers include Dr. Camilo Beltran of Third World Network, Malaysia, Dr. Charito Medina, Dr. Santiago Obien of the Department of Health, Dr. Romy Quijano, professor of UP Manila for the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology College of Medicine, Dr. Randy Hautea, global coordinator and SEAsia Center, center director for International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications, Dr. Saturnina Halos of the Department of Agriculture ,Alicia Ilaga of the DA, director for DA Biotech Program Office, and Dr. Nina Gloriani, the dean of College of Public Health of UP Manila and president of Biotech Coalition of the Philippines.(PNA)
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