Church, environmentalist groups rally vs. poison rain in S. Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY -- Local officials, environmentalists and residents on Monday protested in Surallah airport toprevent another sortie of a private plane to conduct aerial spraying on banana plants.Led by local officials, Church leaders and members of Surallah Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying Movement (SAASM), the protesters expressed opposition to aerial spray due to health hazards it provides to residents living near and around banana plantation. The aerial spraying pose serious health problems to residents as well as the environment, South Cotabato Board Member Romulo Solivio told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida.In opposing aerial spray, Solivio maintained that the local officials, Church leaders and farmers are not opposed to the presence of a multi-national company in Surallah because it provides economic aid to the locals.However, the manner about spraying of pesticides should be done so as not to pose hazards to the environment and the villagers, Solivio added.Fr. Guillerme Pelino, Diocese of MarbelSocial Action Center, said he was dismayed the Sumifprubanana plantation ignored the notice of violation of the local government of Surallah.

He said the aerial spraying despite theabsence of a permit issued by the local government was a clear violation of local revenue code.