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Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Banana group sees doom with aerial spray ban
By Carlo P. Mallo
DAVAO CITY –- Banana growers and exporters warned Tuesday that the Davao City ban on aerial spraying of pesticide would have a backlash on the local economy.
The court recently junked the petition of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) to declare the ban as unconstitutional.
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PBGEA president Stephen Antig on Tuesday told Sun.Star that substantial amounts of money would be lost due to the ban. "We have yet to establish the exact amount but I am sure it will be very substantial," he said.
Antig said that while they plan to appeal the decision, they do not intend to defy the ban.
He said that since Sunday, even before the court decision was made known to the public, aerial spray planes have already been grounded. The temporary injunction on the aerial spray ban ordinance issued by Judge Renato Fuentes expired last Sunday, a day after he ruled on the constitutionality of the ban.
After a three-month snag in the implementation of the landmark aerial spray ban ordinance, which was signed into law by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the measure finally took effect.
Key players said the ordinance could lead to the demise of the banana industry in Davao City. Aerial spraying has been the method used by banana companies in containing the dreaded Black Sigatoka disease.
Another apprehension of the banana industry is the possible domino effect that the ordinance would have on the other industries in the city that are also dependent on the banana industry.
"Some of these are the trucking and shipping," Antig said.
PBGEA reached a consensus Tuesday afternoon to raise the question of the constitutionality of the aerial spray ban ordinance to the Court of Appeals. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (September 26, 2007 issue)
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