Vice Governor Emilio Yulo III yesterday said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental is now ready to tackle the controversial ordinance banning the entry of genetically-modified organisms into the province, if there be a proposal to amend it.

Yulo said he was already furnished a copy of the recommendation of the ad hoc committee chaired by Board Member Adolfo Mangao tasked to study the questioned ordinance by Governor Isidro Zayco, which is expected to be opened for discussion among the 15 SP members soon.

Mangao said he has recommended to Zayco the continued implementation of the ban on the entry of living GMOs into Negros Occidental, and the extension of the transitory provision for non-living GMOs until the provincial government has the capability to detect them.

Yulo, however, said it is stated in the provisions of the ordinance that the transition period for non-living GMOs had already expired, a year after the ordinance, was passed in 2007.

Livestock and poultry growers have called for the lifting of the GMO ban saying it is depriving their animals of adequate feeds, and that GMO products have not been proven to be harmful to health.

But pro-organic groups are opposed to the lifting of the ban saying there is no conclusive proof that genetically modified products are safe for human consumption, and its lifting would jeopardize Negros bid to become and organic food bowl.

In his recommendation, Mangao said there is no need for the GMO ban ordinance to be amended, except for an extension of the transitory provision.

Yulo said the GMO issue may be raised at the SP, even if there is no recommendation from Gov. Zayco, adding that the legislative function solely lies with the SP. “As long as there is a resolution or a proposal in the floor, we can take it up,” he said.

Board Member Enrique Lacson, chairman of the SP committee on Food Security, had earlier expressed his support for amendments to the ordinance, if it will affect the food security of Negros Occidental, noting that the ban has been selective, with action only taken against the corn entering the province.

“We cannot have an ordinance that we cannot implement fully,” Lacson said.

Mangao said nine against five among the ad hoc committee members voted for the retention of the GMO ban.*GPB

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