GROUP 5

BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

•GENESIS 1:29

•GENESIS 41:33-36

•MATTHEW 12:1-8

•ISAIAH 5:1-7

•JEREMIAH 22:13

•DEUTERONOMY 24:19-22

POSITION OF THE CHURCH•UMC SOCIAL PRINCIPLES ¶160 (G) FOOD SAFETY

WE SUPPORT POLICIES THAT PROTECT THE FOOD SUPPLY AND THAT ENSURE THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOW THE CONTENT OF THE FOODS THE ARE EATING. WE CALL FOR RIGOROUS INSPECTIONS AND CONTROLS ON THE BIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF ALL FOODSTUFF INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

POSITION OF THE CHURCHWE URGE INDEPENDENT TESTING FOR

CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD, AND THE

REMOVAL FROM THE MARKET OF FOODS

CONTAMINATED WITH POTENTIALLY

HAZARDOUS LEVELS OF PESTICIDES,

HERBICIDES, OR FUNGICIDES; DRUG

RESIDUES FROM ANIMAL ANTIBIOTICS,

STEROIDS , OR HORMONES;

POSITION OF THE CHURCHCONTAMINANTS DUE TO POLLUTIONS THAT

ARE CARRIED BY AIR, SOIL, OR WATER FROM

INCINATOR PLANTS OR OTHER INDUSTRIAL

OPERATIONS. WE CALL FOR CLEAR LABELING

OF ALL PROCESSED , GENETICALLY CREATED,

OR GENETICALLY ALTERED FOODS , WITH

PREMARKET SAFETY TESTING REQUIRED.

POSITION OF THE CHURCH

WE OPPOSE WEAKENING THE STANDARDS

FOR ORGANIC FOODS. WE CALL FOR

POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT A

GRADUAL TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABLE

AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE.

POSITION OF THE CHURCH•UMC SOCIAL PRINCIPLES ¶160 (H) FOOD JUSTICE

WE SUPPORT POLICIES THAT INCREASE

ACCESS TO QUALITY FOOD, PARTICULARLY

FOR THOSE WITH THE FEWEST

RESOURCES. WE AFFIRM LOCAL,

SUSTAINABLE, AND SMALL-SCALE

AGRICULTURE OPPORTUNITIES THAT

ALLOW COMMUNITIES TO FEED

THEMSELVES.

POSITION OF THE CHURCHWE DECRY POLICIES THAT MAKE FOOD

INACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITIES

WHERE IT IS GROWN AND THE

FARMWORKERS INVOLVED IN ITS

GROWTH.

POSITION OF THE CHURCH•UMC SOCIAL PRINCIPLES ¶162 (H) SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

A PREREQUISITE FOR MEETING THE

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF THE WORLD’S

POPULATIONS AN AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM THAT

USES SUSTAINABLE METHODS , RESPECTS

ECOSYSTEMS, AND PROMOTES A LIVELIHOOD

FOR PEOPLE THAT WORK THE LAND.

POSITION OF THE CHURCHWE SUPPORT A SUSTAINABLE

AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM THAT WILL

MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT THE NATURAL

FERTILITY OF AGRICULTURAL SOIL,

PROMOTE THE DIVERSITY OF FLORA AND

FAUNA, AND ADAPT TO REGIONAL

CONDITIONS AND STRUCTURES- A SYSTEM

WHERE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM WHERE

PLANT, LIVESTOCK, AND POULTRY

PRODUCTION

POSITION OF THE CHURCHMAINTAINS THE NATURAL ECOLOGICAL CYCLES, CONSERVES ENERGY, AND REDUCES CHEMICAL OUTPUT TO A MINIMUM. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE REQUIRES A GLOBAL EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE ON FOOD AND RAW MATERIAL PRODUCTION, THE PRESERVATION OF ANIMAL BREEDS AND PLANT VARIETIES, AND PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CULTIVATED LANDSCAPE.

POSITION OF THE CHURCHWORLD TRADE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS NEEDS TO BE BASED ON FAIR TRADE AND PRICES, BASED ON THE COST OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION METHODS, AND MUST CONSIDER THE REAL COST OF ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE. THE NEEDED TECHNOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS ARE THOSE THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY AND CONSIDER ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES.

POSITION OF THE CHURCH•EXCERPTS FROM AGLIPAYAN SPIRITUALITY

WE AFFIRMS OUR HOPE FOR THE

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

HERE ON EARTH. IT IS OUR SERVICE TO THE

LIBERATING GOD CONCRETIZED IN

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FILIPINO PEOPLE IN

THEIR STRUGGLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE,

FREEDOM AND ABUNDANT LIFE.

FACTS, CURRENT ISSUES AND CONCERNS•BLACK SAND EXPLORATION COVERS A TOTAL OF 13,483.89

HECTARES IN THE CAGAYAN COASTAL TOWNS OF SANCHEZ

MIRA, PAMPLONA, ABULUG, BALLESTEROS, APPARI, BUGUEY

AND GONZAGA.

•BLACK SAND EXPLORATION PERMITS IN ILOCOS NORTE AND

ILOCOS SUR COVERING SOME 22,000 HECTARES.

FACTS, CURRENT ISSUES

•THE PHILIPPINES HAS THE HIGHEST PREVALENCE OF FOOD INADEQUACY

AMONG ASIA'S 'TIGER CUB ECONOMIES' FROM 2005 TO 2012

•THE PHILIPPINES IS THE 8TH LARGEST RICE PRODUCER IN THE WORLD,

ACCOUNTING FOR 2.8% OF GLOBAL RICE PRODUCTION. THE

PHILIPPINES WAS ALSO THE WORLD'S LARGEST RICE IMPORTER IN

2010.

FACTS, CURRENT ISSUES

•MORE THAN A QUARTER OF FILIPINO ADULTS (36%) CLAIMED

TO BE FOOD INSECURE, WHILE 23% OF FILIPINO CHILDREN

SAID THE SAME IN THE LATEST NATIONAL NUTRITION SURVEY

(NNS) CONDUCTED IN 2011.

FACTS, CURRENT ISSUES•SINCE 1950, THE FOREST AREA IN THE PHILIPPINES HAVE

DISAPPEARED AT A RATE OF 2,2% ANNUALLY.

•MIRA RESULTS INDICATE THAT LIVELIHOODS, ESPECIALLY IN

FARMING AND FISHING, HAVE BEEN SEVERELY AFFECTED BY

THE TYPHOON, RESULTING IN INCOME LOSSES OF UP TO 70%.

FACTS, CURRENT ISSUES•SOUTHERN MINDANAO, WHICH COMPRISES THE PROVINCES

OF DAVAO DEL NORTE, DAVAO DEL SUR, DAVAO ORIENTAL AND

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, ACCOUNTS FOR A TOTAL OF 48,535

HECTARES OF CAVENDISH BANANA PLANTATIONS, OR MORE

THAN HALF OF THE COUNTRY’S 82, 412 HA. PLANTED TO

BANANAS.

FACTS, CURRENT ISSUES•SINCE 1950, THE FOREST AREA IN THE PHILIPPINES HAVE

DISAPPEARED AT A RATE OF 2,2% ANNUALLY.

•MIRA RESULTS INDICATE THAT LIVELIHOODS, ESPECIALLY IN

FARMING AND FISHING, HAVE BEEN SEVERELY AFFECTED BY

THE TYPHOON, RESULTING IN INCOME LOSSES OF UP TO 70%.

FACTS, CURRENT ISSUES1. LAND USE AND CROP CONVERSIONS

EX. A. KAPULONG, DAVAO DEL NORTE

-FROM RICEFIELDS/CORNFIELDS TO BANANA PLANTATIONS TO GEMELINA

(TIMBER) PRODUCTION

B. SOME MUNICIPALITIES IN NORTH COTOBATO

-FROM RICEFIELDS/CORNFIELDS TO BANANA PLANTATIONS TO RUBBER

PLANTATION OR OIL PALM PLANTATIONS

HUNGER IN MINDANAO

HUNGER INCIDENCE

4TH QTR. 2008

MINDANAO

33.7 % (1.4 M FAMILIES)

METRO MANILA

23.3 % (570,000 FAMILIES)

LUZON

20 %(1.6 M FAMILIES)

VISAYAS

20 % (1.6 M FAMILIES)

Widespread Hunger

in Mindanao

Source: 2008 Social Weather Station

PINEAPPLE PLANTATIONSIN NORTHERN MINDANAO

Company Hectares Location

Dole Philippines 36,204 Dangcagan ug Kibawe,

Bukidnon

Del Monte Philippines 4,019.28 Malaybalay, Impasug-

ong, Sumilao

DAVCO 1,500 Don Carlos

Southern Fresh Products 1,500 Don Carlos

Dole-STANFILCO 1,300 Malaybalay, Impasug-

ong, Kitaotao, Baungon

Lapanday Diversified

Products

900 Manolo Fortich,

Malaybalay

TOTAL 45,423.28

BANANA PLANTATIONS

Company Heactares Location

Dole-Stanfilco 11,904 Malaybalay, Valencia,

Impasug-ong, Kiataotao,

Dangcagan, Don Carlos,

Baungon, Lantapan,

Maramag, Sumilao

Agrinana Development

Corporation

6,167 Baungon, Libona

Southern Fresh Products 3,200

Mt. Kitanglad Agri-

ventures

2000 Lantapan

Lapanday Diversified

Products

1,435

TOTAL 24,706

PALM OIL 170, 000 HECTARES IN SHANNNALYNE

ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL PARK,

ESPERANZA-LORENZO, AGUSAN DEL SUR.

15, 391 HECTARES IN TAMBULI MINING COMPANY,

SAN LUIS, AGUSAN DEL SUR.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN•EDUCATION PROGRAM

STUDY OF FACTS AND TRENDS IN PHILIPPINE

AGRICULTURE; SOCIAL PRINCIPLES

BIBLE STUDY: BTR ON CLIMATE JUSTICE AND

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

AND JUSTICE

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FOCUS ON CLIMATE

CHANGE ADAPTATION. EX. DROUGHT RESISTANCE

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN•SERVICES, TRAINING AND PROJECTS/PROGRAMS

TRAINING ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED DEMO

FARM; SEED BANKS (INDIGENOUS VARIETIES)

***LOCAL CHURCH MEMBERS AND

COMMUNITY PEOPLE WILL BE MOTIVATED TO

TAKE PART OR INITIATE THE PROJECTS.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN•ADVOCACY AND CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ISSUES

ISSUES

a)LAND USE CONVERSIONS

b)CROP CONVERSIONS

c)GMOS

ACTIONS TO BE TAKENCONDUCT

a)COORDINATE/ NETWORK WITH OTHER

ORGANIZATION AND GROUP WITH SAME

DEMAND/CALL

b)FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH TO LAUNCH A

CAMPAIGN AGAINST LAND CONVERSION,

ETC. SUCH AS:

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN

i. ISSUE STATEMENT OF PASTORAL

LETTER ON ISSUE AFFECTING THE

PEOPLE

ii. LETTER OF CONCERN ADDRESSED TO

GOVERNMENT BODIES/AGENCIES

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN•PUBLIC WITNESS

LITURGICAL GATHERING BOTH INDOOR AND

OUTDOOR

PLANTING SEASON AND HARVEST SEASON

**TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY DURING

THEIR GATHERING

PARTICIPATION TO THE CAMPAIGNS IN

SUPPORT TO THE ISSUES OF THE LAND AND

THE PEOPLE.

RECOMMENDATIONS•EVALUATION OF

AGRICULTURAL/FOOD SECURITY

PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE

CONCERNED LOCAL

CHURCH/DISTRICT/CONFERENCE

(THIS WILL BE HELPFUL FOR FUTURE

PLAN FOR THOSE WHO WILL DO THE

SAME)