By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
The Magsasaka at Siyentipiko pasa sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (Masipag), in a statement released to the media, said the Golden Rice is “genetically modified” as it is “artificially inserted” with genes from the bacteria Erwinia uredovora and corn so it can produce beta carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
The recent trade issues involving China and Iran, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said, serve as a wake-up call that the industry needs to open to other markets abroad.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
“Human sa tulo ka adlaw namong panagtigum sa mokabat 73 ka mga lider mag-uuma sa tibuok rehiyon nakita ang daghang kasong natala nga nakapasamot sa kalisud sa mga mag-uuma (After three days of gathering by 73 leaders from the region we found out a number of cases recorded that push farmers to severe poverty),” Arnado said during an interview with davaotoday.com.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
“Ang nakakatakot sa planong pag-take-over ng National Electrification Administration o NEA sa ating kooperatiba ay ang napakalaking posibilidad na mabenta ito sa pribadong korporasyon,” Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casiño speaking before Daneco’s second general assembly held in Tagum Sunday.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
Elenito Escalante, chairperson of the teachers’ group Kahugpongan sa mga Magtutudlo ug Kawani sa Edukasyon sa Mindanao (Kamkem) said K + 12 is not the answer to the shortage of classrooms, textbooks, and the problem on teachers, among others which are recurring problems of the country’s educational system.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
Masipag said that when farming first became dependent on chemicals, synthetic and imported inputs that were institutionalized through the green revolution program in 1960s, the incidence of poverty and hunger steadily increased in the countryside, especially among the farmers.
BY KENETTE JEAN I. MILLONDAGA
Davao Today
Citing cases where additional funding of health programs by the government failed to reduce ailments suffered especially by children in remote villages, Pedro Arnado of peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Southern Mindanao Region, hopes this one will not again be for naught.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
“GM corn has completely changed the landscape of corn farming in the country, in a negative way,” Dr. Chito Medina, National Coordinator of farmers’ welfare advocacy group, Masipag (Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-ulad ng Agrikultura).
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
Casiño filed House Bill 5405 or the One Million Solar Roofs Act of 2011 in October last year, saying it’s the State’s responsibility to “promote the utilization of renewable energy resources to reduce dependence on imported energy from fossil fuels.” The bill also takes into account public health and the environment.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
Pedro Arnado, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Davao, said farmers have complained of low incomes and bankruptcy due to their failure to pay mounting debts from traders in business with multinational genetically-modified seed producers.
