ILAGAN, Isabela-Prompted by complaints and opposition from non-government groups to the commercialisation of genetically modified (GM) products, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said he would seek a legislative inquiry into the reported ill effects of GM crops.

On a recent visit here, Biazon, vice chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, admitted that he has been hearing complaints genetically modified organisms (GMOs), especially the commercialisation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-corn.

"This has prompted me look deeper into this GMO issue. How it will affect the people's health, the environment, the farmlands," he said.

Fr. Greogorio Uanan, Anti-GMO Multi-Sectoral Alliance in Isabela (Agmais) spokesman and social action center director of the Diocese of Ilagan, said their campaign against Bt-corn has succeeded in creating awareness among Filipinos on the supposed ill effects of the GM crop.

"Thanks to the media, people all over the country are now aware of the effects of Bt corn. It is up to them to decide if they will plant and eat such GM corn," Uanan said.

He said they would continue their protests and ask farmers to join them.

Earlier, the American-owned agriculture firm Monsanto-Philippines, reported harvesting Bt corn in over 120 hectares in Isabela, Ilocos, Pangasinan, Camarines Sur and Misamis Oriental.

Emmanuel Borlongan, Monsanto-Philippines government and public affairs lead director, said the "successful Bt corn harvests" would encourage farmers to shift form ordinary and low-yielding hybrid varieties to the GM crop in the next planting season.

Borlongan reiterated that the Bt corn has been proven safe by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines and was approved for commercialisation by the DA after it passed tests conducted by agricultural scientists.