BACOLOD CITY – A national organization of farmers and scientists has warned the public on the possible entry in the local market of generically-modified rice (GMO).

MASIPAG (Magsasaka at Siytentista Para sa Ikauunlad ng Agham Pang-agrikultura) advocacy officer Ma. Veronica Promentilla said that LLRICE62 and the US long rice are now seen in prominent supermarkets in Manila.

According to Promentilla, LLRICE62, a product of BAYER, is reportedly banned in the US. She said several independent scientific studies on genetically-engineered rice or crop revealed that GMOs are hazardous to the environment and humans because they contain two genetically different materials.

She appealed to the government to actively monitor the GMOs in the market.

"Unfortunately, we lack technical capability to detect GMOs in imported agricultural crops," Promentilla said.

GMO promoters claimed that the same are safe and can increase production. It reduces pesticides and can solve widespread hunger.

MASIPAG, on the other hand, countered the promoters’ claim saying that GMO failed to prove the increase in agricultural production and the cost of production is very high.

"It does not help alleviate poverty because they are produced for the transnationals’ interests," she said, adding that "crops are easily contaminated without the farmers’ knowledge or consent."

She also pointed out that "farmers are not allowed to save, exchange, sell or improve seeds because they are patented, and genetically-engineered technologies create dependency to transnational companies because they alone have the license or patent on said technologies."

She said the GMO products, such as US long rice and LLRICE62, were banned in the Philippines as environmental watchdog, Greenpeace, was able to get a restraining order for the distribution of such products.