|
7 PRESIDENTIAL BETS WANT BAN ON AERIAL SPRAY |
|
Mindanao Times, with a report from Emilord P. Castromayor
|
|
Saturday, 10 April 2010 |
A survey conducted by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Ecowaste Coalition revealed that seven of the nine presidential candidates are in favor of total ban of aerial sprayin in banana plantations nationwide.
The 2010 Green Electoral Initiative asked the candidates the question: “ Are you FOR or AGAINST the position of the Department of Health recommending that the practice of aerial spraying of agrochemicals in banana plantations be stopped?”
Among the participating candidates, the answers of Nicanor Perlas and Senator Richard Gordon showed their good grasp of the issue, the National Task Force Against Aerial Spraying statement sent to the Times said. Perlas said he will promote a sustainable agriculture approach to pest and disease management to protect the health of the communities and ecosystem.
"Most of the pesticides sprayed by plane do not reach the target pest. If they do, the pests develop immunity. The immunity requires the use of even more dangerous pesticides.", he said. adding that the immunity will only create "super pests" that are more difficult to kill.
Gordon, meanwhile, said aerial spraying "forces people to inhale toxins against their will."
“A plantation owner who uses pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers on his own property can arguably be within his rights to do so, but when it enters the public realm and affects other people or the environment, he causes an injury that government is obligated to prevent.” he said.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
SPECIAL REPORT: The “Presidentiables” and Mindanao 2010-2016 (6): Goin’, Growin’ Bananas |
|
Carolyn O. Arguillas, MindaNews
|
|
Friday, 09 April 2010 |
DAVAO CITY -- The latest Green Electoral Initiative survey of Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Ecowaste Coalition shows that seven of the nine Presidential candidates have expressed their support for the outright ban of aerial spraying in banana plantations, with the answers of environmentalist Nicanor Perlas and Senator Richard Gordon standing out as “having the most clear and progressive position on the issue.”
In a press statement, the National Task Force Against Aerial Spraying said the GEI survey question was: “Are you FOR or AGAINST the position of the Department of Health recommending that the practice of aerial spraying of agrochemicals in banana plantations be stopped?”
Perlas will “ban aerial spraying of hazardous chemicals especially on banana plantations” and will instead promote “sustainable agriculture approaches to pest and disease management that will adequately protect crops from damage, while protecting the health of communities and ecosystems.”
Gordon said aerial spraying “forces people to inhale toxins against their will,” he said. “A plantation owner who uses pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers on his own property can arguably be within his rights to do so, but when it enters the public realm and affects other people or the environment, he causes an injury that government is obligated to prevent.”
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
EDITORIAL, Mindanao Daily Mirror
|
|
Monday, 22 March 2010 |
When five Catholic bishops in Mindanao issued a pastoral letter last week favoring the controversial practice of aerial spraying for “lack of data” to warrant its prohibition, it may have merited some benefit of the doubt. After all, the prelates—Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, Tagum Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, Mati Bishop Patricio Alo, Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, and Davao Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando—were perceived to be men of discernment and sobriety.
But only five months ago, eight other bishops in Luzon, including Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, wrote a letter to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urging her to “ban permanently aerial spraying everywhere as soon as possible.” It was a blunt and compelling statement.
The obvious questions therefore are: How can prelates from Luzon be more concerned of the alleged health hazards of aerial spraying, compared to their counterparts in Mindanao where the widespread practice has spawned allegations of pesticide contamination and human suffering? Are the Luzon bishops more informed of the situation or are they merely shooting from the hip? Conversely, are the Mindanao bishops objectively advised of the issue or are they overly-cautious of the ramifications of their decision?
Embarrassing as they may be, these are questions that deserve devastating honesty. The various health advocates that have courageously come out in protest of the practice—some of whom are said to have braved threats to life—may seem like ideological gadflies to some. Yet to dismiss them as such, especially in the face of scientific studies, is not only reckless but inane.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Abandoned Flock, Lost Shepherds |
|
Fr. Amado Picardal, CssR, http://amadopicardal.blogspot.com
|
|
Monday, 22 March 2010 |
Everytime I hear about priests and bishops accused of failing to fulfill their role as "good shepherds," I feel sad. Even if they are just a drop in the bucket, they do a lot of damage to the Church. Their cases are sensationalized and the majority of those who live as good shepherds are overlooked. Yet we cannot hide the fact that there are some priests and bishops who care only about their own pleasure, privilege, power, prestige and possessions. There are those who side with the rich and the powerful and forget about the victims, the poor and marginalized. Vatican II and PCP II called for a renewal of the Church. But a renewed Church requires a renewed clergy. This is a poem a I wrote for the lost shepherds.
THE LOST SHEPHERD
Like a sheep without a shepherd
we cry out to you.
We have been scattered,
our homes demolished, our land poisoned,
our sons and daughters abused or slaughtered.
Like a flock forgotten by its shepherd
we wait for you.
But you're too busy worrying
about your image, influence
and investments.
You do not even know us.
As we wander in this valley
of terror, hunger and death
we long to see your face
and hear your voice
calling us by name.
But you have wandered
from your flock
and from the good shepherd
you promised to follow.
You have succumbed to the
temptation in the desert.
Yours is the pleasure, power, the glory
and the wealth.
Like a flock in search of a shepherd
we call out to you,
be our shepherd.
Leave everything you have
and lead us in our journey
to the promised land.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
