Tuesday, May 01, 2007 City ready to answer suit on aerial spray By Grace L. Plata
THE City Government will stand by its approval of the anti-aerial spray ordinance unless it is ordered by court.
City Administrator Wendel Avisado said this in reaction to the civil case filed by the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) against the city for passing the controversial ordinance banning aerial spray.
"We welcome the filing of the case so that the court can come in and settle the matter once and for all. But in so far as the City Government is concerned, Mayor Duterte has spoken and the City Council has taken its official stand on the matter and it will not back out until ordered by the court with finality," Avisado said in a text message.
Avisado added that the City Legal Office is ready and prepared to answer the suit in due time.
City Legal Officer J. Melchor Quitain said his office has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.
Meanwhile, Councilor Leonardo Avila II said the action is a legal remedy that PBGEA has the right to make.
"It is most welcome so we can also test the strength of the ordinance and the basis of its formulation which is the people's right to health against financial interests of a few," said Avila, chair of the council’s committee on environment and natural resources.
