Thursday, September 28, 2006 Dad stalls for time: demands study before ban
IT IS better for the City Council to wait for the result of scientific studies before deciding on banning aerial spraying as an agricultural practice in the city, said City Councilor Nilo G. Abellera.
Abellera, in his privilege speech Tuesday, said there is little evidence to show that the use of aerial spraying as an agricultural practice in the city is hazardous to public health if the City Council will base it on available data.
The available data for councilors to use is the 17-page consolidated report containing all the stand and position papers of government and non-government agencies including the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Health (DOH) on the issue.
Abellera said with the lack of studies, banning such practice now may not be acceptable to those in favor of the method.
"So what keeps us in a hurry? Why are we in haste? The passage of the ordinance and its planned implementation in January 2007 is done as if there really is urgency that we could not wait until studies are made," Abellera said.
Earlier this month, DOH regional director Paulyn Rosell-Ubial said a team from the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control and Information Service in University of the Philippines-Manila will be arriving in the city to make a preliminary and feasibility study comparing aerial and ground spraying.
Ubial said the study will take six months to one year to finish.
Abellera said resorting to ground spraying will require much time in preparation. Banana companies also need to build roads, procure the equipment and infuse additional capital to finance the method, he said.
He added that the issue is of national significance that is why a national study and legislation in addressing the issue may be in order. (BRQ)
