Monday, November 27, 2006 Mayor admits change of heart over ban on aerial spraying
FROM his strong stance against aerial spraying several months ago, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte admitted having a change of heart after finding no conclusive evidence against it.
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte revealed that he already submitted the findings of their evaluation on aerial spraying to the City Council.
"It's up to the City Council now to evaluate," Duterte said.
The Council is set to vote Tuesday on the proposal banning aerial spraying in the city.
Asked what made him change his stand, Duterte said they found no substantial proof on the claims that many already died due to the effects of aerial spraying.
"Offhand I would say that proof is inadequate to support it. It's not conclusive," Duterte said.
The mayor said they conducted survey on areas in and around banana plantations within the city and they found no evidence on deaths related to chemical spraying.
Duterte said, "Simple justice dictates that there should be reasonable truth" before implementing any policy against aerial spraying.
"The investments of the banana plantations here is also not a joke," Duterte said.
The mayor said though that mitigating measures must be strictly enforced to ensure that workers and residents as well as the environment are protected from the ill-effects of chemical spraying.
He said this can be achieved by implementing buffer zones.
Duterte warned plantations that he could easily cancel their business permits if they refuse to do so. (BOT)
