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Saturday, August 19, 2006
Mayor sets deadline for aerial pesticide sprays
By Barbara Carla R. Quiero
DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has done it before as he ordered the ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics and then when he ordered a smoking ban. Now he's at it again, this time against aerial spraying of pesticides on banana plantations in the Davao City.
In both smoking and pyrotechnic ban, an ordinance was crafted and passed after the mayor ordered their prohibition.
In the case of the aerial pesticide spray, Duterte said compliance with the ban would ensure that banana plantations continue to get their business permits.
"Ang akin is I will give the plantation owners until the end of the year to use aerial spray. After that, I am no longer going to issue any business permit," Duterte said in an interview Friday after the Madyaas Confederacy gathering at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.
Several days ago, Duterte said it only takes common sense and basic logic to know the ill effects of aerial spraying on the environment and the people's health.
Aerial spraying and its effects on residents outside plantations have heated up this year after environmental groups intensified protest actions against the practice.
Environment groups have been ranting at plantation companies for the lack of buffer zones separating residential areas from plantations using aerial sprays.
Councilor Arnulfo Cabling said he recommends the "gradual shift from synthetic farming to organic farming."
"Anything synthetic is not good. I recommend the gradual stop of the use of aerial spray in prime agricultural lands but I recommend the immediate stop of aerial spraying in critical areas," Cabling said in a separate interview.
Cabling said he is coming up with three documents, including the Watershed Code, Watershed Framework, and Watershed Plan for each watershed in the city.
The Watershed Code has been passed on first reading at the City Council and is now at the City Legal Office for review.
Next week, the City Council will have two regular sessions, which is on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the City Council will only have one agendum, which is the proposed passage of an ordinance banning aerial spraying and providing mechanisms for its gradual phase-out in agribusiness practices within the city.
Councilor Nilo G. Abellera said each agency will be given time to present their side.
Councilor Emmanuel D. Galicia said the session will be on the afternoon, starting at 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.
"Gusto maminaw sa City Council kung unsa ang mga pros or cons sa issue (The city council wants to listen to the pros and cons of the isseu)," Galicia said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(August 19, 2006 issue)
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