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Saturday, October 01, 2005
Councilor wants neutral expert to tackle water
COUNCILOR Emmanuel Galicia Sr. favors the holding of a study on the effects of agricultural chemical runoffs on water sources as well as inviting another expert to orient Davao City councilors about agricultural chemical runoff and water sources.
But Galicia stressed that the person to conduct the study has to be neutral, someone who is not associated with plantations and environmental groups.
This Galicia claimed following the presentation of the progress report on the city's watershed terrain analysis where it was noted that while it is contended that there is no scientific bases to say the water sources are contaminated with harmful chemicals from agricultural runoff, the reality is that this is so because there has not been any such test conducted.
"I am looking for one person, an expert, who is not brought by the banana planters or by the Davao City Water District or the environmentalists to talk to us councilors, one who is neutral. He is being called by the councilors to enlighten us to what is really the correct answer to the issue, is the water contaminated or not," said Galicia.
Environmental groups have been pushing for a moratorium on the expansion of high-chemical banana and pineapple plantations in the city's water recharge areas as this pose high risk to the water sources as well as the farm workers and residents.
But plantation management groups have consistently insisted they are not posing any risk to anyone and at time have accused environmental groups of protecting certain interests.
"Some say that there is no bad effect on our water, so there is no need for a moratorium. But this is only one side. Others would also insist that there should be a moratorium. There is a need for further monitoring to know if there is a bad effect and that is the issue," Galicia said.
This is the reason why they deem it necessary to tap the expertise of someone neutral.
When asked if he knows anybody qualified to do neutral monitoring, Galicia admitted that at present, he does not know anyone who fits the bill. (BRQ)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (October 1, 2005 issue)
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