Bishops ask banana growers to stop aerial spraying

Posted November 04, 2009 14:39:00

Jeffrey M. Tupas

Inquirer Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Four members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have challenged the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) to exercise corporate responsibility by stopping the aerial spraying of chemicals in banana plantations in Mindanao.

In its letter addressed to PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig, the bishops, led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, described the aerial spraying of chemicals by the country’s leading banana exporter as an “immoral" act "that infringes upon human health and dignity.”

Joining Rosales in this call are Auxiliary Bishops of Manila Broderick Pabillo and Bernardino Cortez and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez. The same well-placed officials of the CBCP have commissioned the Archdiocese of Manila Ministry of Ecology to assist the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (MAAS, Citizens against Aerial Spraying) while they are in Metro Manila.

MAAS has been campaigning for a permanent ban on aerial spraying in banana plantations.

“We appeal to the goodness and wisdom of your hearts to value the dignity of life and the integrity of creation over and above corporate gains and profit targets. Your professed corporate social responsibility is being challenged now,” said Rosales in the letter dated October 26, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“We strongly suggest that you rise to the occasion as socially responsible corporate citizens and, on your own volition, halt aerial spraying for public health and social peace. As the ethic of reciprocity reminds us all, “do not do to others what you would not like to be done to you… Please heed this very valid, relevant and urgent concern of the poorest of the poor farmer communities who existed long before your plantations opened,” Rosales added.

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