Friday, March 30, 2007 Editorial: No more banana split
THERE will be no political fireworks in Davao del Norte after all. Everything is back to normal following the withdrawal of Antonio "Tonyboy" Floirendo from the gubernatorial race to preserve family unity.
Tonyboy had earlier been endorsed by his father, Don Antonio Sr., in lieu of Anthony del Rosario, the vice governor, who had already filed his certificate of candidacy for governor. The surprising twist led to the clamor of supporters of the Del Rosarios for Anthony's father, Secretary Rodolfo "Dolfo" del Rosario, to challenge Tonyboy for the post.
Tonyboy's withdrawal averted a split in the Floirendo-Del Rosario clan which had stuck together through thick and thin in the political-economic development of the province.
As of this writing, it is expected that Anthony will file his COC for reelection as vice governor, even as Dolfo is certain to win handily over reelectionist Gelacio "Yayong" Gementiza for the top post. No sweat.
Enough already
Talk about PBGEA's (Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association) intention of exhausting legal means to delay the inevitable implementation of the aerial spraying ban passed by the Davao City Council is not going to help the industry at this stage.
Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has already made up his mind that the ban will take effect as mandated by law because it is designed to protect the health of the people residing along the peripheries of banana plantations. The ban calls for a three-month phaseout period within which the plantations can make adjustments that would minimize the negative impact of the law on their operations.
Among the adjustments is the putting up of buffer zones along the peripheries that separate the plantations from populated areas in order to minimize possibility of chemical spray from drifting towards houses, even if manual spraying is practiced.
By desisting from embarking on legal efforts to counter the effects of the aerial ban on its operations, the PBGEA will earn pogi points and perhaps even a measure of sympathy from the government. The saying "You can't fight City Hall" is pregnant with meaning and holds true -- at least in this country in general, and Davao City in particular.
