CSOs urge government to stop aerial spraying in Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Stressing results of scientific studies showing aerial spraying of banana plantations “has ill effects to the life and health of the people, their livelihood and the environment,” a coalition of Church-based and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) has urged the Aquino administration to stop all forms of aerial spraying in Mindanao.

The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI), a coalition of more than 200 faith-based NGOs, people’s organizations (POs) and development associations said 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.

“The safety of the people and the environment should be given prior protection,” the group said in an e-mailed statement.

“We call on President Benigno Aquino, who 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,” the PMPI said.

The PMPI also quoted Pope Benedict XVI, who said that “every economic decision has a moral consequence.”

In his letter, entitled “If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation,” released on Jan. 1, 2010, during the World Day of Prayer for Peace, Pope Benedict XVI pointed out that “environmental degradation is often due to the lack of farsighted official policies or to the pursuit of myopic economic interests, which become a serious threat to creation….Every economic decision has a moral consequence!”

In Caritas in Veritate 25, the PMPI quoted once again Pope Benedict XVI: “The primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is the human person in his or her integrity. The human being is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social life.”

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

“Even if it is claimed by the companies affected that the studies are not conclusive, the precautionary principle states that if there is doubt, the safety of the people and the environment should be given prior protection. Let a ban of aerial spraying be put in place, while studies are being confirmed, if this is what the companies are demanding,” the PMPI said. –Bong D. Fabe / Correspondent, Businessmirror