MANILA, Philippines – Various civil society groups on Tuesday called on Congress to pass the long delayed bill banning aerial pesticide spraying in banana plantations nationwide. The groups, including Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (MAAS), said that the controversial agricultural method brings more harm than good to local communities and the environment. “Beyond its supposed […]
Trees downtown neglected, misused
THE Interface Development Interventions Inc. (Idis) called for conservation efforts to protect Davao City’s urban biodiversity after a City Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro) survey of the city’s urban parks and forests revealed signs of neglect and misuse of trees growing all over the metro. “We should also expand local conservation efforts to include the […]
Watershed trees lost to ravages of El Niño
DAVAO CITY — About 300 various seedlings out of 1,000 planted in the city’s watershed areas under an agro-forestry program did not survive the dry spell brought about by the prevailing El Niño, the environmental group Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) reported. IDIS Program Coordinator Chinke Pelino said the group has temporarily stopped planting activities […]
Group lauds mining ban ordinance
THE Interface Development Interventions (Idis) lauded Wednesday the approval of the ordinance banning mining in Davao City. The environmental group said that the development suggests that the city-wide policy is “one step closer in making the world in general and Davao City in particular a better place to live for the future generations.” “Thus, we […]
Drought affects Davao’s ‘rainforestation’ projects
DAVAO CITY—The prolonged dry spell has not only affected crop production but it has also affected “rainforestation” initiatives in the watershed, according to an environment group. “The heat is making it difficult for tree nurseries to thrive, requiring more efforts from our community partners to ensure their survival,” said Joy Enriquez, watershed protection campaigner of […]
CSOs call on the national Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) agency to stop aerial spraying in the Philippines
DAVAO CITY- Ninety-five (95) local and international civil society organizations (CSOs) and institutions have petitioned the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) to ban aerial spraying in banana plantations in the Philippines. In a position paper drafted by the lead CSO, the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) , the group highlighted the dangers of using aerial spraying […]