Major homegrown restaurants and hotels in Bacolod City, comprising the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental (HRANO), have added their voices to the campaign against the proposed ordinance seeking the entry of living genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Negros Occidental.
Led by president Roberto Magalona, owner of Café Bob’s, HRANO expressed its stand in a position paper submitted to the Provincial Board, with at least 39 signatories as of Wednesday, Oct. 1
“We strongly oppose the entry, planting and distribution of living GMOs in our province,” the group said.
They said their position “stems from the direct and lasting consequences that living GMOs would have on the hotel and restaurant industry – an industry that depends on safe, authentic, and locally sourced ingredients to sustain its operations and reputation.”
“Our industry is also deeply tied to the tourism sector, where Negros has positioned itself as a leader in organic agriculture and sustainable gastronomy. Tourists come here not just for beaches or festivals, but for the unique culinary experiences that highlight fresh, local, and chemical-free food,” they added.
HRANO said “Negros risks losing its branding as the ‘Organic Capital of the Philippines’ and the ‘Organic Food Bowl of Southeast Asia’ once the planting and distribution of GMO crops is allowed in the province”.
“This is the distinction that sets us apart from other destinations. This will directly affect the competitiveness of our hotels, restaurants, and food-based tourism events,” the group added.
The proposed “Negros Occidental GMO Regulatory Ordinance,” which has hurdled the second reading last month, aims to reverse the province’s 18-year-old GMO ban under Provincial Ordinance No. 07, Series of 2007 or “The Safeguard Against Living Genetically Modified Organisms.”
In a statement, the Negros Occidental provincial government’s joint legal-scientific team said “there is a compelling need to amend the existing GMO ordinance to ensure consistency with the national policy framework on GMO regulation” as the province “reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding food security, protecting the farmers, and embracing science-based innovation while upholding its organic identity.”
HRANO “urged the provincial government to pursue real, lasting solutions to food security and economic stability, instead of opening the door to growing, planting, and distribution of GMO crops.”
“These include investing in farm-to-market roads to reduce transportation costs, providing direct support and subsidies to local farmers, strengthening post-harvest facilities, and expanding market linkages between producers and hospitality businesses,” they said. “By supporting our local agriculture sector, we ensure fair prices for farmers, stable supply chains for restaurants and hotels, and high-quality food for consumers.”
Among those that have expressed support to the stand of HRANO are Bob’s Restaurant, Aboy’s Restaurant, Inaka Restaurant, Azucarera, Maria Kusina, Mushu, Twenty-Six Herb Garden, 18th St. Pala Pala, ELG’s Secret Garden, Imay’s, Akasya Restobar, Tractor Café, Renee Coffee, Chef Mikolo Food Services, Fudmaster, Primo’s Restaurant, Juliana’s Cafe and Resto, Felicia’s, Tiffany’s Confections, Peñalosa Farms, Nature’s Village Resort, East View Hotel, Negrense Suites, Saltimboca Tourist Inn, Sugarland Hotel, 11th St Bed and Breakfast, Check Inn Corp., Resorts Negrense, Punta Bulata Resort and Spa, Jinkys Kitchen, Chicken House, Masskara Chicken Inasal, Lion’s Park Grill and Restaurant, Marapara Club House, and Mom Rose Chicken Lechon.*PNA