No more time for aerial spray bill

Published by rudy Date posted on November 23, 2009

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The House of Representatives has no plans of passing a bill proposing the banning of aerial spray in the country within its term and opposing parties would have to wait for the next Congress to push for it.

House Committee on Ecology chair Belma Cabilao issued these developments, seen by many as favoring players and stakeholders in the multi-million dollar banana-exporting industry of Southern Mindanao, during a public hearing over the weekend.

“It will have to be re-filed in the next Congress, as we are now running out of time,” Cabilao said.

The first-ever congressional hearing on aerial spraying was held here over the weekend even as a case is still pending in court regarding the implementation of a total ban in Davao City.

Police here estimated at least 8,000 banana industry workers who trooped to the Apo View Hotel to push for the lifting of an aerial spray ban.

Those directly employed by the banana plantations were also joined by stevedores and warehouse personnel who will be most affected if the aerial spray ban would take effect.

The issue on the aerial spray ban came in the midst of the country’s being considered as one of the world’s banana-producing nations.

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), the umbrella group of the Cavendish exporting industry, welcomed Cabilao’s pronouncements.

“We are happy, but this is just a temporary relief,” said PBGEA president Stephen Antig. “We will have to prepare still, and we will be better prepared.”

Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, who was also present during the congressional hearing, vowed he would re-file the bill.

“Of course, of course, this bill will be re-filed in the next Congress as it concerns public health and the economy,” Rodriguez said in an interview after the hearing.

The congressional inquiry was held in an effort to look into the allegations made by both parties, who were pro and against the banning of aerial spray in plantations and farms in the country.–Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)

April 2025

World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”

Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos

Time to support & empower survivors. Time to spark a global conversation. Time for #GenerationEquality to #orangetheworld!

Monthly Observances:

March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth

Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week

Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Trade Union Solidarity Campaigns

No to Trafficking

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

Categories