Thursday, November 29, 2007 Rallyists told to hold protests at plantations
THE Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) appealed to aerial spray ban advocates to refrain from disrupting their businesses and instead do their protest actions at the banana plantations where the actual spraying is done.
The appeal was made by PBGEA spokesman Anthony B. Sasin after several protesters rallied in front of the PBGEA office at Rizal Street, Davao City on Wednesday.
Sasin said the protest rally not only affected the operation of their office, but also that of neighboring establishments in the area.
"Sana dun na lang sila sa District 3 (where banana plantations are located) magprotesta. Nadidisrupt kasi yung operation namin. Pati yung ibang offices dun sa malapit umaangal na din dahil affected na din sila," Sasin said. (They should hold their protests in District 3. They're disrupting our operations when they protest here. Nearby establishments are being affected as well.)
He branded the protest as a "scare tactic" by anti-aerial spray supporters to pressure banana companies as well as the government and the court.
At the same time, Sasin denied insinuations that the closure of Lapanday was a ploy to pressure the City Government to recall the ordinance banning aerial spraying in the city.
He said the conversion plan of Lapanday was crafted eight years ago and that it just so happened that when the plan will finally be implemented the issue on the aerial spray ban is also being hotly contested at the Court of Appeals. (BOT)
