Thursday, December 07, 2006 Quiboloy cites Charter, law versus aerial spray
A DAVAO-based international evangelist did what he does best in his preaching as he ranted against those who insist on aerial spraying of chemicals in banana plantations. He cited provisions of the law, very much like citing verses in the Bible.
"Don't take away our right. It's my right to live, to breath in fresh air. It's my constitutional right," he said in the live telecast of his "Give Us This Day" Tuesday evening.
He cited Article 2, Sections 15 and 16 of the Philippine Constitution that states:
"Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
"Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature."
He then castigated banana plantations who are into aerial spraying for trampling on these rights.
"All you who own banana plantations, it's all in the Constitution, read it," he said.
He likewise cited Section 4(a) of the Clean Air Act or Republic Act 8749 where it states that "citizens have the right to breathe clean air".
He then challenged banana plantation owners and their company officials to live right within the plantations that are being sprayed daily.
"You're saying that what you're spraying is harmless? That's because you live there in the city where there is no aerial spray. I challenge the rich owners to build a house inside the plantation that is being sprayed everyday. Live there with us and bring your children with you," he said.
"You live there so that you will die with us. Not that we will die while you are safe in your homes downtown. That's my challenge," he said.
Quiboloy has been the most vocal against aerial spraying outside the environmental groups as he has this prayer mountain in Tamayong, Calinan where several of his congregation work in and stay in, whom he said has been adversely affected by aerial spraying of chemicals.
He then urged ordinary residents near plantations to protest against aerial spraying and not be afraid to say that the threats of banana plantations to pull out their investments from the city are but empty threats because they are profiting from the operations here.
"Don't believe that they will bring their investments somewhere else because they don't have anywhere else to do. Do not be affected by their threats. They are spraying poison on you and yet you only get very minimal profit from this. You should demand recompense from these plantations," he added.
The debate on aerial spraying has heightened anew following the release of recommendations by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and the recent verbal attacks by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte on environmental groups who were castigating the report even before they have read its contents.
