Twelve years ago, Bicolano farmers collectively uprooted the toxic “Golden Rice” at the experimental farm inside the Department of Agriculture-Region 5 in the town of Pili, Camarines Sur.

The uprooting of the rice on August 8, 2013 was part of the global opposition to Golden Rice and other GMOs, or genetically modified crops.

In 2023, the Supreme Court filed a Writ of Kalikasan and a Writ of Continuing Mandamus prohibiting the commercial propagation of Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant.

Despite this, the Department of Agriculture (DA) lead the farming of Golden Rice in Viga, San Andres, and Virac, Catanduanes and within PhilRice in Ligao City. In some areas in Bicol, this rice is even being fed to children in schools.

Golden Rice is a type of experimental rice grown to alledgy address vitamin A deficiency among children and people, especially in underdeveloped countries. However, studies have shown that this as ridiculous as an individual would need to consume 3.75kg of rice per day to meet the required amount of vitamin A.

“Vitamin A deficiency is a symptom of malnutrition resulting from extreme poverty. The bigger motive of biotech corporations for profit is clear. Golden Rice will open the floodgates to other genetically enhanced products, altering our food and further subjecting agriculture and food systems to corporate control,” explained the group SIKWAL GMO (Sarong Inisyatiba para Wasakon ang Lasong GMO, or Bicol Initiative to End Toxic GMO).

According to association of women farmers Amihan, and Bantay Bigas, Golden Rice is impractical. It is unnecessary and a dangerous experiment that can endanger Filipino farmers and consumers, especially children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

Golden Rice could also destroy and totally wipe out local rice varieties, causing further suffering for farmers. The only ones who stand to benefit from this experiment and project are large transnational agrochemical corporations selling the chemicals needed to grow Golden Rice.

The farmers are calling on the people to unite, stand up, and continue the fight for safe, sufficient, and affordable food.