Partner organizations urge gov’t to halt aerial spraying of banana plantations

A network of faith-based and non-government
organizations has again urged the government to put a halt on aerial
spraying of banana plantations in Mindanao.

The Philippine Misereor Partnership (PMPI) said local and
international studies have shown that aerial spraying of banana
plantations “has ill-effects to the life and health of people, their
livelihood and to the environment.”

(PMPI) is a partnership of more than 200 faith-based non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), peoples’ organizations (POs) and development
associations in the country.

In a press statement, PMPI criticized the government’s inaction on the
matter and lamented that “the environment is being put in danger,
including the health, livelihood and welfare of many poor people
living around the plantations”, in exchange of short-term economic
gains.

Concerned companies, however, claimed the studies made are not
convincing enough to effect a ban on aerial spraying.

But PMPI argued that above all else, “the safety of the people and the
environment should be given prior protection” while quoting Pope
Benedict XVI that “every economic decision has a moral consequence.”

PMPI said a ban on aerial spraying be put in place, despite demands
from companies to validate the studies made.

The Arroyo administration failed to act on the issue despite calls
from the Department of Health’s to stop aerial spraying because of its
harmful effect on people’s health; and recommendations from the
Commission on Human Rights to implement a ban “while studies are being
conducted and validated.”

With a new government led by Aquino, the group is hoping the ban will
be implemented soon.

“We call on President Benigno Aquino, which claims to walk the right
path, and the Supreme Court to act decisively against this practice
for the sake of the poor and the environment,” PMPI said.

Posted in: Aerial Spraying of Banana Plantations