DAVAO CITY—After disallowing the growing of genetically modified plants alongside organic crops, including the experimental culture of the so-called Frankenstein varieties, the city council has started tackling a more detailed proposal to keep modified organisms out of the city. The move was hailed by local anti-GMO (genetically modified organism) groups. “While the local Organic Agriculture […]
Organic advocates push for GMO Ban Ordinance
Davao City – The Go Organic Davao City, a network of organic farming practitioners and their supporters, is pushing for the passage of the GMO Ban Ordinance in Davao City. “We need to protect the integrity of organic agriculture in Davao City”., said Tina Delima , Officer –in-charge of SIMCAARRD. “While the principles of our […]
Protests vs aerial spray still alive, growing louder
DAVAO CITY—Groups campaigning against aerial spraying are calling on President Benigno Aquino to issue an executive order banning crop dusters nationwide and urging the Supreme Court to uphold the legality of the ban in the city. “We’re calling on the Supreme Court to decide fast on the issue in our favor and put an end […]
MAAS calls on Supreme Court to uphold legality of Davao City Ban AS Ordinance
Davao City – Anti-aerial spray activists called on the Supreme Court to finally uphold the constitutionality of the Davao City Ban Aerial Spray ordinance. “Five years after it was passed, it has yet to be enforced.”, according to Dagohoy Magaway, President of the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spray (MAAS). “This is because the Supreme Court […]
Gov’t measures to stop ‘Panama disease’ branded as ‘exercise in futility’
DAVAO CITY, Nov 22, 2011—At least 1,000 hectares of banana farms in Southern Mindanao have been destroyed so far by Fusarium, a disease with no known cure that organic farming advocates said was aggravated by the practice of monocropping in the region. The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) said Fusarium, also known as […]
Mayor insists anew: No to Bt eggplant testing in Davao
NOV. 22, 2011 DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Z. Duterte’s stand on the controversial Bascillus thurigiensis eggplant locally known as Bt talong has not changed amid clamor for another round of field tests here. Duterte said she sees no compelling reason to allow the field testing of Bt talong in any part of the city, […]
Village officials, stakeholders forge commitment to protect Davao City’s watershed
DAVAO CITY, Oct. 17 – A total of 22 signatories representing barangays and key organizations, including the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and city government here, recently signed a commitment to protect the city’s watershed as part of the full implementation of the Watershed Code of Davao City. Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella, chairperson of the City […]
Mayor directs reconstitution of watershed management councils
DAVAO CITY. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has penned an executive order that reassembled the management council as part of the full implementation of the Davao City Watershed Code. Executive Order No. 23 provides that the Watershed Management Council (WMC) along with the barangay watershed management councils and watershed multi-partite monitoring teams should be rebuilt to help […]
Environmental impact assessment guidelines not enough to protect the environment, says law group
DAVAO CITY – The current guidelines on environmental impact assessment is no longer sufficient in protecting the environment, according to the alternative law group SALIGAN, in their legal research which was presented to the public, Thursday in Davao City. “Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2003-30 and its operation guidelines issued by the previous government has diluted […]
Group urges ‘think green’ for Easter
Environmental groups are calling on Catholics to reflect on the sorry state of watersheds in the southern city of Davao while observing Holy Week. “The redemptive nature of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is not only for healing our broken relationships with God and our fellow men but also for restoring our damaged relationship with the […]