BACOLOD CITY - A Filipino scientist yesterday said Visayas mayors are ready to receive more genetically modified (GM) crops that would soon be released fo0r commercial production all over the country.

He said that these executives believe that the widespread cultivation of GM crops would pave the way for sustained economic growth in their towns and better food security for the country.

Dr. Benigno Peczon, who is also president of the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), a biotech non-government organization comprised of scientists, academicians, and agriculturists said municipal mayors are optimistic that genetically modified products will be widely accepted owing to its benefits to various stakeholders.

In an earlier dialogue with members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel, Peczon said most municipal mayors were impressed by the benefits to farmers who try the Bt corn.

Peczon spoke about "Biotech: Economic Opportunities Paving the Way for Partnership for Bio-Commerce" where he stressed that biofuels, biofertilizers, production of lactobacillus and anti rabies vaccine and tissue culture as among market prospects.

He said the biotechnology is a maturing technology which will continue to provide useful crops, improve health and help sustain the environment.

The event paved the way for an exhibit showcasing the importance of biotech in providing food security, and information of the would-be benefit to various stakeholders by genetically modified crops currently being developed and tested in the Philippines. Aside from increased farm yield, Bt corn, the first genetically modified crop ever to be released fro commercial production in the Philippines, does not require the use of pesticide owing as it was genetically engineered to resist the European and Asian corn borer.