WHITE CORN

IN THE
PHILIPPINES:
Contaminated
with Genetically
Modified Corn
Varieties
Varieties

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WHITE CORN
IN THE PHILIPPINES:
Contaminated with Genetically
Modi󿬁ed Corn
Cor n Varieties
Varieties
Overview p. 4

Corn production in the Philippines

– the importance of white corn p. 6

Status of Genetically Modi󿬁ed (GM)

Corn in the Philippines p. 9

Greenpeace Investigation of GM
Greenpeace
Contamination of White Corn in
the Philippines p. 12

Other incidences of maize

contamination worldwide p. 14

Implications of GM contamination p. 15

Recommendations and Demands p. 16

Annexures
Annexures p. 18
3
Overview
White corn is one of the most important food
crops in the Philippines. After rice, it is the
staple food of 20% of the population, primarily
in the Southern Regions of the Visayas and
Mindanao. The cropcrop is also economically
important as it is a major ingredient of poultry
and livestock feeds as well as a raw material in
many industrial products.
products. In 2010, total corn
production was valued at Php70B (US$ 1.7B).
Filipino farmers have traditionally planted open
pollinated varieties (OPV) of white corn that
allowed them to save seeds from their harvest
for the next planting season. Traditional OPV
planting also make it possible for farmers to
exchange seeds and breed varieties that are
better adapted to the environment.
Unfortunately, these traditional OPV of
white corn for planting may soon be lost to
farmers as Genetically Modi󿬁ed Organism
(GMO) contamination is already happening
from genetically modi󿬁ed corn varieties that
are patented and owned by agrochemical
companies.
Testing conducted byb y Greenpeace shows that
the white corn variety in Mindanao has already
been contaminated by genetically modi󿬁ed
(GM) varieties of corn. Analysis of samples
purchased in a market in Mindanao showed
the presence of two varieties of GM corn. The
levels of contamination found were substantial,
with percentages of up to 40% GM varieties.
4
GM corn is sold in the Philippines, primarily
as yellow corn. How the contamination of the
white variety occurred is unknown. Another
unknown is the extent of the contamination.
It is also not clear if this GMO has contaminated
other maize crops in the Philippines. But one
thing is certain: maize breeds freely with other
variety over long distances.
The result of the testing proved one thing -
GM crops cannot be controlled in open 󿬁eld
settings. Clearly, the government needs to
undertake further testing to evaluate the extent
of GM contamination and take action to contain
GM contamination and save the nation’s
traditional seed varieties which are crucial for
the preservation of the country’
country’ss agriculture.
Unfortunately for our farmers and consumers,
this report shows the evident failure of a
government regulatory agency to safeguard
our traditional seed varieties from GM
varietal releases.
releases. The research conducted
by Greenpeace revealed the lack of proper
implementation of RA 7308 or the “Seed
Industry Development Act” which mandates the
government to “conserve
“conserve,, preserve, and develop
the plant generic resources of the nation and
provide the local industry protection against
unfair competition from imported seeds.”
The National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)
has admitted a lapse in the government policy
regarding seed registration.
registration. It says that their
registration policy is voluntary and that seed
registration prior to selling has just become a
common practice and is not a requirement.

While our research has shown that GM maize

m aize
has already caused high levels of contamination
in white corn in the Philippines, we face another
threat to our seed biodiversity. It appears that

Golden Rice, yet another GMO, may soon be

commercialised in this country. Field trials have
been completed and the next level of regulatory
process for its commercialization is
i s underway.

Despite strong opposition from farmers,

environmental and religious groups, consumers
and breastfeeding advocates, the government
has been approving the propagation and
commercialization of GMOs.

It is likely that GM Golden Rice will result in

genetic contamination of conventional and
traditional varieties of rice. Once released into the
environment these organisms cannot be recalled.
To keep rice GM free, the government must stop
the Golden Rice commercialization now.

5
Corn production
in the Philippines
– the importance
of white corn
Next to rice, corn (or maize, Zea mays) is Cor n 1990 - 2005 6
Usage of Corn
an important food crop in the Philippines, a
staple food of 20% of the Filipino population 1,
primarily in the southern regions of the Visayas
and Mindanao2. To the estimated
estimated 1 million corn
farmers in the Philippines3, the crop is also
economically important as major ingredient of
poultry and livestock feeds and as raw material

in many industrial products such as starch oil,

arti󿬁cial sweeteners and organic liquids4. The
total corn production in 2010 was valued at
Php70B (US$1.7 billion)5.

Based on 1990-2005 󿬁gures, around 22% of the

total corn supply in the country was consumed
as food, 64% as feeds, 13%
1 3% for processing Usage of Corn 20117
into other food product and 1% as seeds6. The
trend is also true for 2011 󿬁gures with 63% of
total supply used for feeds, 21% as food, and
13% for processing7.

The general varieties of corn planted in the

Philippines are yellow and white. While yellow
corn (young corn, popcorn and sweet corn)
are edible, most of this variety is intended for
industrial use such as feeds and raw materials
for industrial products.
products. The yellow corn variety
variety,,
which contains yellow fat, is favored as feeds
over white corn because it gives poultry and
livestock meat a good color8. Food
Feeds
White corn, on the other hand, is used Processing
as substitute for rice in times of hardship. Seeds
In places where rice is the main staple,

6
white corn is consumed as vegetable or snacks.
White corn is commonly referred to as the poor
man’s rice.
In terms of production area, averaging the
1990-2005 󿬁gures, white corn was planted in
about 61% of total corn area, while yellow corn
is planted to only 39% (Annex I). Notably
Notably,, from
2005 to 2012, the areas where yellow corn was
planted increased from 39% to 50%.
In 2011, corn consumption was estimated at 1.5
M metric tonnes (Annex III), whereas total white
corn production was estimated at 2.15 M metric
tonnes (Annex IV). Assuming that white corn
is the variety primarily consumed, then there
was a surplus of 0.65 M metric tonnes of white
corn. While there is no national accounting to
show as to where the surplus of white corn had
gone to, it is reasonable to assume that white
corn gets mixed with yellow corn for feeds and
processing.
From 2000 to 2011, corn consumption ranged
from 1 M to 1.7 M metric
metri c tonnes, whereas white
corn production ranged from 1.8 M to 2.5 M
metric tonnes. More white corn was produced
than consumed. This is probably part of the
reason why the Department of Agriculture
(DA), in 2010 started promoting white corn
as an alternative to rice. Apart from
from surplus
production, it is thought that diversifying the diet
- in particular consuming white corn - will help
in curbing the country’
country’ss rice shortfall and help to
reduce rice imports.
The Department of Agriculture9 is also
promoting white corn as a healthier staple than
rice because of its low glycemic index. White
corn is slower to digest, resulting in a gradual
release of glucose into the bloodstreams, thus
lessening the risks of diabetes, which is a major
cause of death in the Philippines10.
White corn also contains more protein, lysine
and tryptophan, dietary 󿬁ber, minerals, and
antioxidants than rice. Lysine aids in building
muscle tissue, recovering from injury or surgery
and absorbing calcium effectively
effectively.. It also helps
the body produce antibodies, enzymes, and
hormones while tryptophan is needed for
normal growth in infants11.
After recognizing the value of white corn as
a staple food, several government programs
have promoted it as anan alternative to rice. An
example is the “Adaptation and Dissemination
of Newly Developed Improved White Corn
Varieties as Alternative Source as Staple
Food”12. This program
program was established to
support the production of white corn and
expand its promotion at a national level
including the establishment of a more stable
supply of white corn and producing varieties for
the preferences of the different
di fferent regions.
Globally, there are thousands of different
varieties of corn, many of these have
contrasting colors. In Mexico for example,
where corn originates, corn can be yellow,
orange, purple or white. In the Philippines,
Mexico and elsewhere, hybrid maize is generally
yellow while “landraces”, or traditional varieties
of corn (where farmers save and exchange
seed) can be many colours.
In the Philippines, white corn is favoure
favoured
d as a
staple or substitute to rice because of its taste
and eating quality while hybrid yellow corn13 is
produced primarily for 50% of livestock mixed
feeds14. Other coloured
coloured corn (e.g. purple) is not
not
grown widely in the Philippines.
White corn is also primarily used as ingredient
in cooking - mostly for desserts and specialty
foods such as Maja Blanca, a type of pudding
consisting primarily of white corn and coconut
milk – in other parts of the country.
The main white corn growing regions
regions in the
Philippines are Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region,
Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN (South
Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani,
and General Santos City), Autonomous Region
7
of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Central
Visayas. (Annex
(Annex V). Farmers in these
these regions
prefer to grow white corn due to its higher selling
price as compared to yellow corn.

Filipino farmers have traditionally planted open

pollinated varieties (OPV) of white corn that
allowed them to save seeds from their harvest
for the next
next planting season.
season. This also made
it possible for farmers to exchange seeds and
breed varieties that are better adapted to the
environment. These are are not possible with hybrid
hybrid
seeds where farmers need to sell the entire
harvest and buy new seeds that will be used for
planting in the next cropping season. Although
some farmers save hybrid seeds for the next
season, the yield declines each year, so farmers
are forced to buy new seeds every season.

8
Status of Genetically
Modi󿬁ed (GM) Corn
in the Philippines
Genetically modi󿬁ed (GM) corn varieties from
Monsanto and Syngenta were introduced to the th e
Philippines in 2002. These fall into two broad
categories:
1. Insect-resistant GM (Bt) varieties. These
contain inserted genes from the soil bacteria,
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These genes produce
a toxin which is toxic to certain maize pests.
Different Bt varieties are toxic to different maize
pests, ranging from the Asiatic corn borer
borer,, army
worm and cutworm.
2. Herbicide tolerant GM varieties. These
contain genes that make the GM plant tolerant
to certain herbicides. In this case, the herbicide
in question is Monsanto’
Monsanto’ss Round Up, and the
GM seeds are called Monsanto’
Monsanto’ss “Roundup
Ready” (RR).
In 2002, GM corn was 󿬁rst approved for
cultivation in the Philippines. Since then, it is
estimated that more than 685,000 ha, or 27%
of the total corn cultivation area devoted to corn
is now planted with corn varieties15. Most of
the GM corn varieties are yellow in color,
color, except
for one variety being sold by Pioneer Hi-Bred in
General Santos City which is white in coloration
and sold as P3640WR16. This variety contains
the Roundup resistance gene from Monsanto.
This is alarming since most people who are
aware of GM corn planted in the Philippines
think that the commercial varieties being
propagated are only yellow corn, thus this
commercial sale of GM white corn variety is
critical. If farmers,
farmers, seed developers
developers and other
consumers are not aware that there is GM white
corn variety sold in the market then there is no
way for them to segregate the traditional
tradition al seeds
from GM seeds.
A check with the National Seed Industry Council
(NSIC) registry for approved seed varieties
showed that this GM white corn variety has not
been registered for sale by Pioneer Hi-Bred.
The NSIC17 says that the registration policy is
voluntary,, however it is common practice for
voluntary
seed companies to register the seed before
selling it.
NSIC mentioned that upon checking, the
original white corn variety had earlier been
registered with their of󿬁ce, while the roundup
GE trait that was inserted into the variety has
been granted an earlier and separate approval
by the Department of Agriculture
Agricul ture Bureau of
Plant and Industry (DA-BPI). Hence, as stated
by NSIC, both the white corn variety and the
gene inserted to produce this particular GM
white corn have been granted approval – only
separately.
NSIC claims that technically
techni cally,, no speci󿬁c law
has been violated by Pioneer Hi-Bred in selling
this particular GM white corn seed variety
as the registration of seeds prior to selling
is not a government requirement but only a
9
company policy.
policy. NSIC however admitted the
need to evaluate the said variety for particular
agronomic performance even if it is already
being sold in the market 18.
Unfortunately, NSIC’s
NSIC’s statement actually
contradicts with what is stated under the
Philippine law. It is a violation under Republic
Act 7308 or the “Seed Industry Development
Act” which mandates the government to
“conserve, preserve, and develop the plant
generic resources of the nation and provide
the local industry protection against unfair
competition from imported seeds.”19 The policy
thrust prohibits and penalizes under its Section
15 the “Importation in commercial quantities
of species of seeds that are being produced
locally” to protect the local seeds.
More worrying, genetically modi󿬁ed white corn
will bring about unfair competition between
foreign patented GM white corn and the local
un-modi󿬁ed corn industry since there will be no
means of recall once contamination happens.
This is even worsened by the fact that Filipino
farmers and consumers have no knowledge
about the difference of GM and non-GM corn.
The case mentioned above shows the failure of
regulatory agencies, such as the NSIC to monitor
GM varietal releases. Seed registration must
protect seed buyers and should provide them
with the needed information about agronomic
performance of a variety. The release of GM
white corn variety - that precedes the evaluation

Table 1 Area of GM Corn Cultivated in the Philippine Island Groups 2003 – 2011 (ha) 20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Bt Corn
LUZON 10,158 48,516 43,735 85,702 103,438 68,301 38,507 37,115 19,331
VISAY
VISAYAS 24 534 445 405 2,551 298 0 0 0
MINDANAO 587 10,706 5,829 10,693 16,604 13,053 9,516 3,120 1,874
Total 10,769 59,756 50,009 96,800 122,593 81,652 48,023 40,235 21,205
RR Corn
LUZON 0 0 0 11,685 54,509 5,471 3,518 642 4,295
VISAY
VISAYAS 0 0 0 4,2424 8,295 4,571 2,790 0 800
MINDANAO 0 0 0 10,384 56,589 41,443 40,501 8,048 9,943
Total 0 0 0 26,493 120,023 51,485 46,809 8,690 15,038

Stacked
(Bt + RR)
LUZON 0 0 0 3,879 59,346 158,520 183,771 373,079 452,730
VISAY
VISAYAS 0 0 0 232 2,472 7,074 8,006 5,366 17,011
MINDANAO 0 0 0 469 9,641 48,844 40,618 115,153 173,924
Total 0 0 0 4,580 71,279 214,438 232,395 493,598 643,665
Pyramided
LUZON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,,537
4
VISAY
VISAYAS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 922
MINDANAO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,464
GRAND
TOTAL 10,769 59,756 50,009 127,873 313,895 347,575 327,776 542,522 685,372

10
 Figure 1 Area of GM Corn Varieties Grown in the Philippines 2003 - 2011

700,000

600,000

500,000
s
e
r 400,000
ta
c
e 300,000
H

200,000

100,000

Bt Corn The area of GM corn with stacked traits which combine

RR Corn
herbicide tolerance (RR) and insect resistance (Bt) has
Stacked (Bt+RR)
Pyramided increased, whilst those with single traits have decreased.

of agronomic performance that should have been
conducted by the NSIC/DA-BPI- is a disservice
to the Filipino people.
Initially “single trait” varieties of GM seed were
sold on the market based on their insect resistant
or herbicide tolerant traits. However, since 2007
(see Table I), adoption of single trait GM corn
products has decreased and adoption of “stacked
trait” varieties has increased. These stacked trait
varieties are crosses between single trait Bt and
RR varieties so they are both herbicide tolerant
and insect resistant. More recently, “pyramided
traits” have been cultivated since 2011 (Table 1).
These are crosses between different types of
insect resistant (Bt) varieties, so the GM crop is
resistant to more than one type of insect.
Currently, there are 󿬁ve varieties of single trait
Currently,
corn varieties being sold for propagation, these
are: Monsanto’s
Monsanto’s MON810 (Bt), MON89034
MON8903 4 (Bt),
NK603 (RR), Syngenta’s Bt11 (Bt) and GA21
(RR)21. While there are 3 varieties of stacked
trait corn approved for propagation, these
are: Monsanto’s MON810xNK603,
MON810xNK60 3, MON8MON89034
9034
xNK603 and Syngenta’s Bt11xGA2122.
Since 2002, despite strong opposition from
farmers, civil society organizations and some
religious and environmental groups against
the cultivation of GM crops, the Department
of Agriculture has allowed their use and
production, and even provided subsidies to
encourage farmers to adopt GM corn23.

11
Greenpeace Investigation of
GM Contamination of White Corn
in the Philippines
Sampling and Analysis
In conducting the investigation, a Greenpeace
researcher purchased samples in Sultan
Kudarat, in the Philippine island of Mindanao.
Four samples of white corn grits were purchased
from different stores in Tacurong market (see
Table 2) in December 2012. To have ample
amount for analysis, 2 kg of each sample were
purchased. Corn grits comprise ground corn
so each one of these samples represents a
mixture of many maize kernels (or grains). No
further processing (e.g. drying) was necessary.
One sample of white maize kernels was
purchased from Sitio Palamak, Barangay Chua,
Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, also in December.
Three (3) kg was purchased, a larger amount
than the required samples as grits as each
kernel represents an individual pollination event
so 1,000 kernels were needed to get a 1 in 1,000
(0.1 %) detection limit.
All samples were
were bagged to prevent
prevent cross
cross
contamination. Samples were then sent to
a commercial laboratory specialising in the
analysis of GM crops by PCR (Polymerase
Chain Reaction). Each sample was tested for the
presence of GM corn varieties MON810, NK603,
GA21 and MON89034. The presence
presence of these
particular GM events was tested because they
are known to be sold and grown commercially
in the Philippines.
Further, the concentrations of MON810 and
NK603 were quanti󿬁ed in two of the corn grit
samples SKTCR1 and SKTCR4, and one of
the kernel samples, SKBGB1.
12
Results
All samples tested positive for both the GM
varieties of MON810 (Bt – insect resistant) and
NK603 (RR – herbicide tolerant), but negative for
GA21 and MON89034. Quanti󿬁cation of these
varieties in two samples of white corn grits
revealed substantial levels of GM contamination
by over 10 % MON810 and up to 40 % of
NK603 (see Table 3). However
However,, the kernel
sample revealed only relatively small amounts of
GM contamination (0.1 % MON810 and 0.3 %
NK603), but detectable nonetheless.
The positive results for GM varieties in the white
corn samples indicate that these samples were
contaminated with GM corn varieties. The white
corn samples tested indicate that both the
NK603 (RR, herbicide tolerant) and MON810
(Bt, insect resistant) gene from Monsanto are
present in all four samples. This could represent
more than one episode of contamination with
different individual GM events, or contamination
with a variety containing both GM events.
It is not possible to distinguish between
contamination with stacked trait corn and
multiple contamination episodes with single
trait corn.
This study represents a “snapshot” of the GM
status of white corn samples, as purchased
from the market. It did not perform a
representative sampling of white corn across
the Philippines. There is no indication of how
the GM contamination occurred, nor the extent
of the GM contamination.
Table 2 Details of purchased samples of white corn
cor n and detection of GM varieties by PCR

Sample Sample Place of Purchase Date of GM corn present?

No. Description Purchase MON NK GA MON
810 603 21 89034
SKTC
SKTCR1
R1 Whit
White
e co
corn
rn Delgado Store 19 December YES YES NO NO
grits (Tacurong Market, 2012
Sultan Kudarat)
SKTC
SKTCR2
R2 Whit
White
e co
corn
rn Raut Store 19 December YES YES NO NO
grits (Tacurong Market) 2012
SKTC
SKTCR3
R3 Wh
Whit
ite
e co
corn
rn Raut Store 2 19 December YES YES NO NO
grits (Tacurong Market) 2012
SKTC
SKTCR4
R4 Wh
Whit
ite
e co
corn
rn TB Agricultural 19 December YES YES NO NO
grits Supply 2012
(Tacurong Market)
SKBGB
GB1
1 Wh
Whit
ite
e cor
corn
n Sitio Palamak, 20 December YES YES NO NO
kernels Barangay Chua, 2012
Bagumbayan, Sultan
Kudarat

Table 3 Concentrations of GM Corn present in selected corn samples

Sample No. Sample MON810 (Bt corn) NK603 (RR corn)

Description Amount Amount
pLOQ† pLOQ†
present present
White corn
SKTCR1 13% +/- 2% 0.1% 33% +/- 2% 0.1%
grits
White corn
SKTCR4 17% +/- 4% 0.1% 41% +/- 3% 0.1%
grits
White corn 0.1% +/- 0.3% +/-
SKBGB1 0.1% 0.1%
kernels 0.05% 0.05%

† pLOQ: practical limit of quanti󿬁cation

13
Other incidences of maize
contamination worldwide
Maize is known to outcross (or cross-pollinate)
readily to other maize plants. There are many
studies con󿬁rming long distance pollination from
GM maize up to 1,000 m away24. In EU studies,
maize has been shown to be amongst the most
dif󿬁cult GM crops to contain due to the high
cross-pollination
cross-pollina tion rate and the large distances
that viable maize pollen can travel25.
GM maize is described as presenting a
“medium to high risk” of contaminating non-
GM maize crops26. Cross-pollination is only
one method where GM contamination can
occur. Human error, mix-ups during harvest
and storage can all cause GM contamination.
The GM Contamination Register enumerates
92 incidences of GM contamination of maize
worldwide27, suggesting that contamination from
GM maize can occur wherever it is grown.
In Mexico, traditional varieties (or landraces) of
maize have been found to be contaminated with
GM varieties28. Although the contamination
had been suspected for some time, it was only
14
during the publication of new studies in 2008-
2009 that the contamination of landraces was
con󿬁rmed 29.
GM contamination in white and purple corn was
also found in Mexico30, even though the only
commercial GM varieties of maize available in
the Americas at that time were yellow hybrids.
The genes that determine colour in maize are not
necessarily linked in any way to the transgenes31.
In Mexico, it was thought that the GM grain
was used as seed and diffused through local
populations. While the GM grain seed might
have disappeared as a distinct seed type, the
remained within the gene pool32.
transgenes remained
While no suggestions for the route of contami-
nation of maize grain with GM varieties in the
Philippines can be made, the results from
Mexico indicate it is perfectly possible for
white corn to become contaminated
contaminated with GM
varieties, even if the only GM varieties are
yellow hybrid corn.
Implications
of GM contamination
It is clear that the introduction of GM maize
into the Philippines has caused high levels of
contamination (up to 40 %) in at least some white
corn products. The extent of GM contamination
is still unknown, as the testing in this report only
represents a “snapshot” of the GM content of
corn for sale on one island of the Philippines.
It is also not known how this contamination
occurred. It could be from a mix-up or cross
pollination with GM corn. Based on the Mexico
experience, GM yellow corn can contaminate
corn of a different colour. It seems to be the
same case in the Philippines.
The contamination of white corn in the
Philippines will have a long-term effect on the
right of consumers to eat and plant corn that is
free from GMOs. Furthermo
Furthermore,
re, the inherent risks
associated with GM crops are not consistent
with the government’s programmes to promote
white corn as a healthier staple since there is no
clear scienti󿬁c consensus about the long-term
safety of GM foods.
It is evident that GM crops cannot be
controlled. Despite this, the Philippine
government may soon consider approving
the commercialization of GM Golden Rice.
Given the experience with GM contamination
of white corn, it is very likely that this GM rice
will contaminate conventional and traditional
varieties of rice. There can be no recall once
GMOs are released into the environment.
15
Recommendations
and Demands

1) We call on the Department of Agriculture and the local government units to undertake
and coordinate further testing to evaluate the extent of GM contamination of white corn
throughout the Philippines and take actions to contain the GM contamination.

2) We demand an immediate moratorium from the Department of Agriculture on the release

of GM maize and other GM crops while the extent of GM corn contamination is being
evaluated.

3) We call on local government units to exercise their rights by immediately declaring

moratorium on the release and commerciali
commercialisation
sation of GM crops in their areas.

4) The GM contamination of white corn exposes Filipinos to the inherent risks of GM crops.
We call on farmers and consumers to demand liability and redress from corporations for
undermining their right to produce (organic corn and valuable traditional white corn) and
consume healthy food.

5) The Department of Agricultur

Agriculture,
e, through the NSIC, should order Pioneer Hi-Bred to recall
its genetically modi󿬁ed white corn P3640WR and a redress to this lapse in implementing
Republic Act 7308 (Seed Industry Development Act of 1992) to ensure that seed varieties are
properly registered before selling.

6 We ask all Filipinos to protect rice biodiversity and the rice sector, by stopping the
further release of the GM ‘Golden’ rice into the environment via 󿬁eld and feed testing and
subsequent commercial
commercial release. We demand the Department
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture to put an
immediate stop to the 󿬁eld research and commercial release of GM ‘Golden’ rice.

16
17
Annexures
Annexures

Annex I Philippine Corn Production per year from 1960 to 201133

8000

7000

6000
n
r 5000
o
c
t 4000
M
0
0 3000
0
1
2000

1000

0
0 3 6 9 2 5 8 1 4 7 0 3 6 9 2 5 8 1
6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 0 0 0 1
9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2

18
Annex II Corn Production in the Philippines (ha)34

Year White Corn Yellow Corn

1994 1,865, 870 1,139,950
1995 1,670,318 1,022,014
1996 1,695,615 1,040,108.00
1997 1,698,964.00 1,026,911.00
1998 1,451,249.00 902,959.00
1999 1,607,755.00 1,034,453.00
2000 1,573,408.00 936,934.00
2001 1,565,112.00 921,476.00
2002 1,503,118.00 892,338.00
2003 1,564,943.00 844,885.00
2004 1,562,347.00 964,788.00
2005 1,492,202.00 949,586.00
2006 1,471,453.00 1,099,220.00
2007 1,469,327.00 1,178,990.00
2008 1,367,410.00 1,293,611.00

2009 1,402,845.00 1,281,045.00

2010 1,338,943.00 1,160,097.00
2011 1,283,701.00 1,260,911.00
2012 1,311,581.00 1,282,244.00

Annex III Corn Supply Utilization35

2011 Metric tonnes

SU Beginning Stocks 153
SU Production 6971
SU Imports 66
SU Gross Supply 7,190
UT Exports c/
UT Seeds 51
UT Feeds and Waste 4,531.00
UT Processing 930
UT Ending Stocks 166
UT Total Net Food Disposable 1,512.00
UT Per Capita kg/yr 15.78
UT Per Capita g/day 43.23

SU - Supply
UT - Utilisation
c/ - Less than 1000 metric
metric ton

19
 Annex IV Vo
Volume
lume of Corn
Corn Production
Production in the Philippines
Philippines (metric tonnes)35
(metric tonnes)

Volume of Production (metric

(metric tonnes)
Corn (Total) White Corn Yellow Corn
Year
1994 4,519,246.00 2,089,905.00 2,429,341.00
1995 4,128,510.00 1,862,423.00 2,266,087.00
1996 4,151,332.00 1,883,087.00 2,268,245.00
1997 4,332,417.00 1,879,209.00 2,453,208.00
1998 3,823,184.00 1,620,465.00 2,202,719.00
1999 4,584,593.00 1,823,834.00 2,760,759.00
2000 4,511,104.00 1,889,338.00 2,621,766.00
2001 4,525,012.00 1,917,654.00 2,607,358.00
2002 4,319,262.00 1,796,929.00 2,522,333.00
2003 4,615,625.00 2,052,684.00 2,562,941.00
2004 5,413,386.00 2,227,430.00 3,185,956.00
2005 5,253,160.00 2,251,617.00 3,001,543.00
2006 6,082,109.00 2,360,840.00 3,721,269.00
2007 6,736,940.00 2,527,633.00 4,209,307.00
2008 6,928,225.00 2,254,567.00 4,673,658.00
2009 7,034,033.00 2,316,434.00 4,717,599.00
2010 6,376,796.00 2,169,103.00 4,207,693.00
2011 6,971,221.00 2,150,222.00 4,820,999.00
2012 7,406,830.00 2,165,505.00 5,241,325.00

20
Annex V White Corn Production by Region (metric tonnes)36

Region 2011 2012

Philippines 2,150,222.00 2,165,505.00
CAR 20,147.00 20,345.00
Ilocos Region 52,753.00 51,461.00
Cagayan Valley 56,787.00 66,601.00
Central Luzon 21,321.00 24,238.00
CALABARZON 32,717.00 30,090.00
30
MIMAROPA 14,438.00 14,238.00
Bicol Region 47,208.00 47,714.00
Western Visayas 67,512.00 74,727.00
Central Visayas 176,025.00 171,387.00
Eastern Visayas 71,228.00 74,160.00
Zamboanga Peninsula 149,950.00 167,571.00
Northern Mindanao 349,754.00 363,919.00
Davao Region 153,555.00 150,704.00
SOCCSKSARGEN 253,808.00 241,059.00

CARAGA 35,100.00 44,462.00

ARMM 647,909.00 622,829.00

Units and Abbreviations Used

t metric tonne
M Million
ha Hectare
GM genetically modified (also called genetically engineered)
Bt Bacillus thuringiensis. Genes from this soil bacterium are used to create GM
insect resistant plants.
OPV Open pollinated
pollinated varieties.
varieties. Varieties where
where seeds can be saved for planting
the following year. This is in contrast to hybrid varieties, where seeds must be
brought each year.
RR Roundup Ready.
Roundup Ready. A type
type of GM plant
plant conta
containin
ining
g genes
genes granti
granting
ng resista
resistance
nce to
the herbicide “Roundup”

21
1 World Food Program. 2012. Philippine Food and Nutrition Security Atlas. http://www.wfp.org/
content/philippine-food-and-nutrition-security-atlas-march-2012
2 Logroño, M.L.; Lopez, EL. & Alejandro, F. 1996. Maize seed situation in the Philippines: a country
report. Philippine Journal of Crop Science 21: 61-70.
3 Rice Watch Action Network. 2007. Issues and Prospects of the Philippine Corn Industry. www.
r1phils.org/PDF%20Files/Phil%20Corn%20Industry.pdf
4 Siopongco, L.B., Altoveros, N.C., Cruz, V.M.V
V.M.V & Villavicencio, M.L.H. 1999. Morphological diversity

in NPGRL’s
NPGRL’s local corn collection. Philippine Journal of Crop Science 24: 103-113.
5 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. http://countrystat.bas.gov.ph/

6 Rice
Watch and Action Network. 2007. Issues and Prospects of the Philippine Corn Industry. http://
www.r1phils.org/PDF%20Files/Phil%20Corn%20Industry.pdf
7 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. http://www.bas.gov.ph
8 Rice Watch and Action Network. 2007. Issues and Prospects of the Philippine Corn Industry.
9 http://pcdspo.gov.ph/goodnews-article/da-pushes-for-low-glycemic-white-corn-propagation/

10 http://business.inquirer.net/123585/one-person-dies-from-diabetes-every-10-seconds

11 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2012/01/25/agriculture-department-promotes-

white-corn-202581
12
http://www.bar.gov.ph/chronicle-home/archives-list/47-march-2012-issue/126-white-corn-as-
staple-food-is-the-next-big-thing
13 http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Grain%20and%20Feed%20Annual_

Manila_Philippines_3-27-2013.pdf
14 http://www.da.gov.ph/index.php/2012-03-27-12-03-56/2012-04-13-12-38-36

15 http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Agricultural%20Biotechnology%20

Annual_Manila_Ph
Annual_Manila_Philippines_
ilippines_7-24-2012.pdf
7-24-2012.pdf
16 First
veri󿬁ed through telephone conversation with Pioneer General Santos City in Mindanao 󿬁eld
sales of󿬁ce on July 2013. Through a phone conversation on July 2013, the staff
staff of the National Seed
Industry Council mentioned that the variety need not be registered as long as the inserted genetically
modi󿬁ed trait has been approved. Veri󿬁ed through a trip to General Santos, June 2013.

17 Telephone conversation
conversation with Choi Mamaril of the National Seed Industry Council, September 17, 2013.
18 Ibid.

19 Section 2. Declaration of policy.

policy. Republic Act 7308 “An Act to Promote and Develop the Seed
Industry in the Philippines and Create a National Seed Industry Council and for other purposes.”
http://www.psdn.org.ph/chmbio/ra7308.html
20 http://biotech.da.gov.ph/upload/Aggregate_Data_of_GM_Corn_%28April_2012%29.pdf

21 Bureau of Plant Industry 2012. Approval registry of regulated articles for propagation. Annex II
22 Bureau of Plant Industry 2012. Approval registry of combined trait products for propagation. Annex IIA
23 http://www.bic.searca.org/news/2007/nov/phi/09.html

24 See, for example, Jarosz, N., Loubet, B., Durand, B., Foueillassar, X. and Huber, L. 2005. Variations
in maize pollen emission and deposition in relation to microclimate. Environmental Science and
Technology 39: 4377– 4384. Halsey, M.E., Remund, K.M., Davis, C.A., Qualls, M., Eppard, P.J. &
Berberich, S.A. 2005. Isolation of maize from pollen-mediated gene 󿬂ow by time and distance. Crop
Science
22 45: 2172-2185.
25 EEA 2002: Eastham, K. & Sweet, J. 2002. Genetically modi󿬁ed organisms (GMOs): the signi󿬁cance
of gene 󿬂ow through pollen transfer. Expert’s Corner Series, European Environment Agency,
Copenhagen. http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/environmental_issue_report_2002_28
IPTS/JRC 2002: Anne-Katrin Bock, A-K, Lheureux, K., Libeau-Dulos, M., Nilsagård, H., Rodriguez-
Cerezo, E. 2002. Scenarios for co-existence of genetically modi󿬁ed, conventional and organic crops
in European agriculture. Joint Research Centre (DG JRC), Institute for Prospective Technological
Studies http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/publi/reports/coexistence/
IPTS/JRC/ESTO 2006: Messean, A., Angevin, F., Gómez-Barbero, M., Menrad, K. & Rodríguez-
Cerezo, E. 2006. New case studies on the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops in European
agriculture. Joint Research Centre (DG JRC), Institute for Prospective Technological Studies and
European Science and Technology Observatory Technical Report EUR 22102 EN. http://www.jrc.es
Binimelis, R. 2008. Coexistence of plants and coexistence of farmers: is an individual choice
possible? Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics doi 10.1007/s10806-008-9099-4
26 Treu, R. & Emberlin, J. 2000. Pollen dispersal in the crops maize (Zea mays), oil seed rape (Brassica
napus ssp oleifera), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp vulgaris) and wheat
(Triticum aestivum). A report for the Soil Association from the National Pollen Research Unit. Available
at http://www.soilassociation.org
27 http://www.gmcontaminationregister.org, Accessed 17th September 2013.
28 Piñeyro-Nelson,A., Van Heerwaarden, J., Perales, H.R., Serratos-Hernández, J.A., Rangel et al.
2009. Transgenes in Mexican maize: molecular evidence and methodological considerations for GMO
detection in landrace populations. Molecular Ecology 18: 750–761.
Dyer, G.A., Serratos-Hernández JA, Perales, H.R., Gepts, P., Piñeyro-Nelson, A. et al. 2009. Dispersal
of transgenes through maize seed systems in Mexico. PLoS ONE 4: e5734. doi:10.1371/journal.
pone.0005734
29 Dalton, R. 2008. Modi󿬁ed genes spread to local maize. Nature (News) 456: 149.
30 Dyer,G.A., Serratos-Hernández JA, Perales, H.R., Gepts, P., Piñeyro-Nelson, A. et al. 2009.
Dispersal of transgenes through maize seed systems in Mexico. PLoS ONE 4: e5734. doi:10.1371/
journal.pone.0005734
journal.pone.0005734
31 G.A. Dyer, pers. comm. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of
California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
32 Dyer, G.A., Serratos-Hernández JA, Perales, H.R., Gepts, P., Piñeyro-Nelson, A. et al. 2009.
Dispersal of transgenes through maize seed systems in Mexico. PLoS ONE 4: e5734. doi:10.1371/
journal.pone.0005734
journal.pone.0005734
33 http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/?country=ph&commodity=corn&graph=production

34 Palay and Corn: Area Harvested by Geolocation, Ecosystem/Croptype, Period and Year
Year.. Source:
http://countrystat.bas.gov.ph/ query made on 17 September 201
35 Riceand Corn: Supply Utilization Accounts by Commodity,
Commodity, Year
Year and Item. Source: http://
countrystat.bas.gov.ph/ query made on 17 September 2013
36 Palayand Corn: Volume of Production
Production by Ecosystem/Croptype, Geolocation, Period and Year.
Year.
Source: http://countrystat.bas.gov.ph/
http://countrystat.bas.gov.ph/ query made on 17 September 2013
37 Palayand Corn: Volume of Production
Production by Ecosystem/Croptype, Geolocation, Period and Year.
Year.
Source: http://countrystat.bas.gov.ph/
http://countrystat.bas.gov.ph/ query made on 17 September 2013

23
Greenpeace is an independent
global campaigning organisation
that acts to change attitudes
and behaviour, to protect and
conserve the environment,
and to promote peace.
greenpeace.org
Paper: Freelife Cento 100 gsm.
Process:
24 Offset, using soya ink
Written by Daniel M. Ocampo and Janet Cotter,
Ph.D. with inputs from Wilhelmina Pelegrina,
Virginia Benosa-Llorin,
Benosa-Llorin, Atty.
Atty. Zelda Soriano
and Beau Baconguis.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Marvin “Moss”
Rico for conducting the 󿬁eld research and
investigation to make this report possible.
The authors also would like to thank the
farmers, NGOs and differe
different
nt organisations that
have helped the resear
research
ch and actual conduct
of testing of white corn in the different areas
of research for this report.
In Cebu:
Mr. Robert Bajenting of the Cebu Coalition for
Food Security and Mr. Bernard Alcantara of
the Pagtambayayong Foundation.
In Bukidnon:
Dante Cipriano, Bayao Zagado and Floyd Balo
of Task Force Mapalad.
In Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat :
Dennis Merialis, Ph.D. VMC City College,
Inc. and Mr
Mr.. Bernardo Fermocil, Municip
Municipal
al
Agriculturist of Bagumbayan in Sultan
Sultan Kudarat.
In Leyte:
Mr. Cleo Baconawa
In Davao:
Jhonriel G. Chamen of the Josefa Segovia
Foundation.
25
26