DAVAO CITY– Around 281 faith-based organizations, non governmental organizations , people’s organizations and members of the Catholic clergy nationwide urged the Supreme Court to resolve the legality of the Davao City ordinance banning aerial spraying in favour of the affected communities.
These organizations, belonging to the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI), issued the statement during its 4th General Assembly last March 1, 2012 at the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City.
Prefacing their statement with a quote from a letter of Pope Benedict XVI entitled “If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation”, the group also called on President Benigno Aquino III to issue an Executive Order halting aerial spraying practices in all agricultural areas in the country.
In that letter, Pope Benedict XVI had written that “Environmental degradation is often due to the lack of far-sighted official policies or to the pursuit of myopic economic interests, which become a serious threat to creation..Every economic decision has a moral consequence!”
Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (MAAS) President Dagohoy Magaway welcomed the statement of national support for banning aerial spraying saying that this is candid proof that there are many groups nationwide who recognize the validity of the precautionary principle which is the basis of MAAS’ campaign to ban aerial spray.
“The Supreme Court and President Aquino should heed this growing clamor nationwide and take immediate steps to halt the practice of aerial spraying in banana plantations everywhere.”, he said.
Last year, President Aquino had tasked the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) to convene a workshop to consolidate recommendations from various stakeholders on the issue. However, the workshop failed to include representatives coming from MAAS and the affected communities.
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