PhilRootcrops released Official Statement on the Alleged Mabini, Bohol Poisoning

PhilRootcrops released its official statement on the alleged cassava poisoning incident in Mabini, Bohol in an interview with ABS-CBN Cebu on March 14, 2005.

The official statement was finally concluded after a team of scientists from the Center conducted an independent investigation to the death of 27 elementary school children of Brgy. San Jose, Mabini, Bohol on March 11. The death was allegedly due to poisoning from a cassava-based food (local term maruya) sold by certain Mrs. Anita Luyong, the vendor.

The Center generally sums up that the poisoning was not due to the inherent hydrocyanic acid (HCN) content of the cassava from which the food was made from.

The team who conducted the investigation is composed of Dr. Marcelo Quevedo-postharvest physiologist, Dr. Julie Tan, food technologist, Ms. Cynthia Godoy, research chemist, Prof. Alan Loreto, extensionist, and Mr. Reynaldo Bergantin, plant breeder.

About PhilRootcrops

The Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) is a government research, development and training institution for root and tuber crops: cassava, sweetpotato, taro, yam, yambean, arrowroot and other rootcrops.
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Vision, Mission & Goal

Vision
Creating wealth, enhancing health, improving lives through roots and tubers
Mission
To provide the national leadership in formulating and implementing strategic root crop research and development programs that can reduce poverty and food insecurity
Goal
To generate and promote root crop innovations and information that can improve the lives of stakeholders along the root crop value chain.

Contact Information

DR. EDGARDO E. TULIN
Director
PhilRootcrops, VSU,Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines 6521-A
Telephone / Fax No.: +63 (053)563-7229 Trunkline: +63 (053) 565 0600 local 1063
Facebook: PHILROOTCROPS |
Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
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