Duterte blinks on aerial spraying ban proposal

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/01 October) — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has changed tack. From strongly worded calls to ban aerial spraying by banana plantations onthe basis of precautionary principles, he has now sought for “hard evidence”first on allegations the practice causes health and environmental hazards.

In today’s episode of the city government’s television program “Gikan saMasa, Para sa Masa” (From the people, for the people), Duterte asked for 10days to “conduct a survey” on the issue.

The mayor said his earlier stand was based only on his personal take on theissue. He said the survey, likened to an actuarial survey conducted byinsurance firms, could be a joint executive and legislative undertaking.

He clarified he was still neutral on the issue and that “whatever decisionwe can come up with, it will be anchored on hard evidence, not onunsubstantiated claims.”

City Councilor Leo Avila, who chairs the committee on environment proposingthe ban ordinance, clarified to MindaNews in a message Sunday that the mayoronly wanted “something to support the ban”.

The pronouncement came six days after the mayor met with officials of the

Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA). Read story here.

 

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