Costly chemicals, agri inputs blamed in hunger incidence surge

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.

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Peasant groups warn against corruption of Rotavirus vaccine fund

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.

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Farmers did not benefit from GM corn, says advocacy group

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).

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Lawmaker supports call for massive installation of solar roofs

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.

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BT corn use to raise corn yield but farmers’ group wary

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.

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