Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Council backs City Hall legal battle on spray ban
THE Davao City Council supports the executive department's push to bring the aerial spraying ban case to the Supreme Court (SC) after the appellate court ruled the ordinance as unconstitutional.
Proposed by environment committee chair Leonardo Avila III, the resolution aims to show solidarity among the agencies of the local government unit.
"It is the policy of the City Government to support all activities for the protection and enhancement of our environment. That for the health, safety and peace of mind of all the inhabitants of Davao City, we resolve to support the moves of the City Mayor's Office through the City Legal Office," the resolution stated.
Avila, during the discussion, said it is essential to show the people that the City Council is in support of the executive department and is firm on its decision made during the 14th Council to approve the ban.
Some of the original parts of the resolution, however, were deleted. Councilor Bonifacio Militar said the deleted parts are already citing the merits of the case, which is not proper for them to do.
In an earlier interview, City Legal Officer J. Melchor Quitain said should the SC decide to uphold the Court of Appeals ruling, then the city could opt to pass another ordinance to the same effect, like the regulation of the use of toxic chemicals in plantations.
"The environment and the people come first. There is no argument in that," Quitain said. (GLP)
