Sunday, February 11, 2007
Group hails mayor's approval of aerial spray ordinance
By Grace L. Plata
PRO-aerial spray ban advocates are overjoyed that City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has finally signed into law the ordinance, which according to them, proves that an aware and organized citizenry and leaders with strong political can do a lot.
Interface and Development Interventions (Idis) Executive Director Lia Jasmine Esquillo said, "We thank the mayor for sealing the fate of the ordinance."
Esquillo said this shows how the government puts paramount importance to people's health and the environment, thus calling for everyone to accept the ordinance and support its implementation.
According to Esquillo, it (aerial spray ban) is a landmark legislation that puts Davao City in the global map for environmental good governance.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, however, is confident that other provinces will not replicate Davao City's move.
Yap on Saturday said, "I do not see them following blindly, as the Department of Health have not issued an official statement, saying there is scientific evidence to prove it is harmful."
Yap added that since Davao City has opted to make this stand, Department of Agriculture will facilitate talks and measures to strike a balance between the agribusiness and environmental concerns.For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (February 11, 2007 issue)
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