SEPT.

7, 2011 DATE

NR # 2519C
REF. NO.

House holds forum on Climate change adaptation and food security through Biotechnology
The onslaught of extreme weather events and erratic climate patterns attributable to the effects of climate change underscored the need to beef up agricultural methods, especially in highly vulnerable countries like the Philippines, to ensure food security and environmental sustainability. In a recent forum hosted by the House Committee on Ecology and the Special Committee on Reforestation entitled Biotechnology: A Potent Tool for Climate Change Adaptation and Food Security, Dr. Wayne Parrot, Crop Science professor from the University of Georgia, USA, highlighted the role of biotechnology both as a climate change adaptation measure and in low carbon footprint promotion. Parrot, who is actively involved in years of research and development in agricultural crops and teaches genetics, agroecology and sustainable agriculture, said biotechnology can help in climate change in two ways: one is through mitigation and the other is through adaptation. In the last 15 years since its global introduction, GMOs have given positive economic and environmental impact and about 80% of processed food in the market have something derived from GMOs. Moreover, 14M out of the 15.4M farmers in 29 countries using genetically modified crops are actually small farmers (cultivating 200 hectares or less), stressed Parrot. Ecology chair Rep. Dan Fernandez, who welcomed the opportunity to listen to experts on the effects of climate change, also acknowledged the existence of the controversy in biotechnology even in the halls of Congress, as two House bills from opposing ends of the controversy has been filed, one by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro) and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (PL- ABANTE MINDANAO), HB 2276, and HB 1810 by Reps. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga) and Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur). As legislators tasked to craft policies to help the government deal with the effects of climate change, we have to come up with responsive policies informed by science, Fernandez stressed. On the reforestation efforts of the government, Reforestation committee chair Rep. Victor Yu (1st District, Zamboanga del Sur) also said GMOs may offer a solution to upland agricultural migration which imperils the countrys forest reserves. Biotechnology may lead to higher crop yield, thus raising income for those living in the rural areas and lessen the need to convert forest lands to meet agricultural and food demands, Yu said. Hon. Mel Senen Sarmiento (1st District, Western Samar), who is an active member of the ecology committee, said the committee supports climate change mitigation and adaptation measures of the government, particularly the Department of Agriculture, and its thrust to attain food security and sufficiency. Sarmiento who expressed the need for government to spend more on research to ensure food security and sufficiency for the Filipino people who will soon reach 100M also said he is happy to see more departments during the general appropriations deliberations exerting efforts to mainstream climate change adaptation measures.

SEPT. 7, 2011 DATE

NR # 2519C
REF. NO.

Climate Change Commissioner Naderev Sano illustrated the global effects of climate change and global warming, and carefully detailed the vulnerability of the Philippines, especially its impact on the countrys agricultural sustainability. Climate change is not solely an environmental issue, but a political, economic and social issue as well. When climate change because of human activities, we also change everything including food, clothing, and the way we construct buildings, said Sano. Addressing the climate change challenge means building a better nation, he added. Dr. Randy Hautea, global director and director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), South East Asia Center, discussed on the current state of biotechnology in the Philippines. The introduction of biotechnology in Philippine agriculture lowered production cost because of reduced pesticide use, and led to higher productivity which translated to higher income for farmers. We hope to see more products to reach the market and reach more people within the next five years, said Hautea. He said as early as 1979, the Philippines has been engaged in biotechnology with the establishment of the National Institutes of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology (BIOTECH now National Institutes of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) at the University of the Philippines Los Baos. Biotech was tasked to develop cost-effective technologies for the production of goods and services that are cheaper alternatives to conventional products but which are safe to the environment and makes use of locally available materials. The forum is part of an ongoing U.S. Department of States Biotechnology Outreach Program, in partnership with Philippine agencies, the academe and NGOs, such as the Department of Agricultures Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and the Regional Field Unit X (DA-RFUX), the Biotechnology Coalitions of the Philippines (BCP), the Philippine Science High School System, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, the ISAAA, and the House of Representatives. Clarifications and inquiries may be coursed through the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines through Prof Abe Manalo or Godfrey Ramon at telephone number 9246507. (30) aam & arm