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Environment groups back ban on pesticide spray in Philippines 
Feb. 9, 2009
The “unequivocal support” was aired during the national chemical-safety workshop held in Quezon City after the Davao City Council ordered banana plantations to stop aerial spraying of pesticide.
“We express our unequivocal support to the local government of the City of Davao, which has stood by its obligation to protect public welfare,” Roy Alvarez of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Task Force on Organic Farming said.
“We are in solidarity with the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying [Citizens Against Aerial Spraying] or MAAS, and commit to helping them in their struggle to live a life free from toxic chemicals,” Alvarez said on behalf of the participants coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
“This expression of support from groups all over the country to stop toxic shower is a milestone. It shows that aerial spraying is truly a national chemical- safety issue that should be immediately addressed not just by the courts, but by concerned executive agencies as well,” Lia Esquillo, executive director of the Interface Development Interventions, a member of MAAS, said.
The concerned groups also expressed shock and dismay over the decision of an appellate court in Cagayan de Oro City, declaring the said Davao City ordinance unconstitutional.”
“We are totally bewildered by the court’s decision,” commented the EcoWaste Coalition.
Sections 15 and 16 of the Constitution affirm the state’s obligation to protect and promote the people’s rights to health and to a balanced and healthful ecology.
“It is deplorable that the court chose business interest over people’s health and the safety of the environment,” the workshop participants said.
“We call on the courts to respect and protect people’s fundamental rights to life, health and a healthy environment by overturning its decision and upholding the validity of the ordinance,” thus appealed the environmentalists.
Source: Bussiness Mirror
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