CEBU CITY (PNA) - Non-government organizations (NGOs) and farmers' groups in the Visayas have issued a declaration to fight the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture, claiming GMOs would worsen the living conditions of farmers in the country.

The groups made the declaration on Thursday, at the end of the three-day conference on genetics conservation and food security held in Banawa Hills, Cebu City.

The declaration stressed the importance of protecting the country's food sovereignty by opposing the use of GMOs that are introduced by multinational companies.

On the other hand, biotechnology experts led by Dr. Saturnina Halos, chief of the Department of agriculture -Biotechnology Advisory Team (DA-BAT), said that contrary to their fears, biotechnology products developed in the Philippines are actually more nutritious, cost less to produce and are resistant to pest and the corn borer, which destroys up to 80 percent of the corn production of farmers.

Other biotech experts said that biotechnology will not lead to a situation where a firm may monopolize seeds of GMOs, saying that genetic engineering as practiced in the country has already allowed the production of seeds of stronger, more nutritious agricultural products.

Moreover, stringent regulations imposed by the DA has forced those engaged in biotechnology research to be more circumspect and rigorous in their scientific ventures, developing seeds that germinate well and produce more grains or ears of corn.

Shen Maglinte of Sibol ng Agham Teknolohiya (Sibat) said the national government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), ahs been urging farmers to use Bt corn, a genetically modified crop that is resistant to a pest, the Asiatic corn borer.

The Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras (Pamanggas) said in the conference that the D Region 6 office in Iloilo has been promoting the use of Bt corn.

"In some cases, representatives of Monsanto (the company that developed Bt corn) would go to the area and offer free seeds for farmers to plant," Maglinte said, adding, "many farmers don't know what GMOs are, and those who do are unaware of the adverse effects."

Contrary to the pronouncements of multinational companies and the national government, genetically modified crops are not answer to food insecurity, he said.

He said GMOs not only pose health and environmental risks, but also worsen the poverty of farmers.

Normally, farmers use the seeds of crops they grow for the next planting.

With GMOs this is not the case, Maglinte said.

He said GMO crops like Bt corn are designed in such a way that they do not germinate well.

So, for the next planting, farmers will be forced to buy new seeds, he added.

Estrella Flores, Farmers' Development Center (Fardec) executive director, aid the group has received reports that a certain company is promoting the use of GMO seeds in northern Cebu and in Argao.

"But we will have to verify," she said.

She added that Fardec and other groups are watching the entry of GMOs in Central Visayas, although the DA in Region 7 had assured it will not promote the technology in the region.