Davao Groups Chide Banana Growers Over Case Vs City

DAVAO CITY — The Mamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (Maas) chided the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association for filing civil charges against the city government over the controversial aerial spraying ordinance.

Dagohoy Magaway, spokesperson of Maas, said the case emanated from the arrogance and inability of PBGEA to respect the wisdom and decision of the city government over a policy that involved lives of the people and the environment.

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One Comment to “Davao Groups Chide Banana Growers Over Case Vs City”

1. Simbakels Balbahutog says:

   May 7, 2007 at 1:38 pm

   It is simple to ban aerial spraying. the ordinace was already approved (i guess). What i dont understand is that the people keep on going to debate the banning of it. let it be ban. anyway its only the method of application. there is another way to apply chemicals. Another way is by ground spray.. As I understand, banana companies just dont want to have ground spray due to its high cost. yes, its right. companies can save as much as 50% of the ground spray if they do aerial spraying and lessen the incedence of fruit burning.
   As stated above that during one of the deliberations before the ordinance was signed, prominent health experts have clearly pointed out the harm of the chemicals used by the banana companies in aerial spraying like dithane, a mancozeb-containing chemical which is banned in Libya and restricted in Sweden for its hazardous effects on people and environment.
   the point is simple, it is not aerial spraying that is the real issue of health. Its the chemical. What is the difference then of using dithane in aerial spraying and ground spraying. I guess none, it is still dithane (Mancozeb – Oil Suspension). So the best issue that this government should resolve is how to control the chemicals that the companies are using.