Banana growers sue Davao City for ban on pesticide aerial spray

DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) has filed a civil case before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) here against the Davao City government for implementing a local ordinance banning the aerial spraying of pesticides in agricultural areas, particularly in the banana plantations in the city.

PBGEA president Stephen Antig filed the petition before the RTC here for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and writ of preliminary injunction against the city government for implementing the said ban.

The banana industry leaders sought the legal remedy after they failed to convince city government officials not to pass the local ordinance. The ordinance was enacted last March 23.

The PBGEA deemed as oppressive the three-month transition period given to banana plantations to shift from aerial spraying to boom spraying of pesticides.

The PBGEA likewise warned of a possible collapse of the banana industry in the city due to the expected losses from the boom spraying system. Besides, they asserted that the transition itself requires a longer period and a large investment before the requirements for boom spraying can be met.

City Administrator Wendel Avisado said the city government welcomes the filing of the case and would not backtrack from its position that the ordinance be fully implemented.

The PBGEA even sought the intercession, but to no avail, of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap before the ban was effectively enacted last March 23. It will be fully implemented by June 23.

But Mayor Duterte stood firm on his decision that the ban be implemented despite insistent representations and lobbying by the banana industry leaders here.

"It is the welfare and the health of the people that we have to protect more than the interest of the banana growers," Duterte said.

Avisado likewise said the City Legal Office is prepared to deal with the petition filed by PBGEA. – Edith Regalado