Posted on August 13, 2009 by durianpost

DOH nothing to do with aerial spray study

By ROGER M. BALANZA

The Department of Health in Region XI has disowned role in a recent study which recommended a stop to use of aerial spraying in Davao del Sur for its alleged effects on health of people in communities near banana plantations.

The study was presented in Davao City in July by Dr. Allan Dionisio of the National Poison Management and Control Center (NPMCC). The study was jointly conducted by NMPCC and the Philippines Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxilogy (PSCOT) with funds from the DOH.

But DOH Assistant Secretary Paulyn-Jean Ubian, also head of DOH XI, said DOH was not involved in the study nor did it provide the funds. Dr. Ubial, in a press conference on Wednesady, said DOH’s role in the study was merely to accompany the study team and was never involved in the research and review of the findings of the study team.

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), the umbrella group of export Cavendish banana growers, earlier had assailed the study for dragging DOH, which also earlier denied any hand in the study.

PBGEA is vehement in opposing aerial spraying of fungicide—a chemical classified as least toxic by the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA)—which controls the deadly leaf disease Sigatoka. The Cavendish banana export is a major industry in the Davao Region and Central Mindanao earning about $400 million in annual export earnings for the country.

PBGEA is contesting at the Supreme Court an appeal by the Davao City government for reconsideration of a ruling on a Davao City ordinance banning aerial spraying which has been declared as illegal by the Court of Appeals in Cagayan de Oro City.

The joint NPMCC-PSCOT study titled “Health and Environmental Assessment of Sitio Camocaan in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur,” said prolonged exposure to aerial spraying would have an impact on health of people and the environment, called for a stop the aerial spraying and urged banana planters to shift to organic farming.

Fungicides ca either be applied in banana plantations through aerial spraying using airplane dusters or manual or boom spraying.

Anthony Sasin, PBGEA spokesman, said aerial spraying is the most effective and cost-efficient method of controlling banana diseases. Manual spraying or boom spraying would require manpower and too slow to catch up with the fast-spreading Sigatoka. Aerial spraying also requires lesser volume of fungicides and are applied on target by spray planes using high-technology spraying gadgets and guided by Global Positioning System (GSP).

Dr. Ubial said the NPMCC-PSCOT study had no basis to claim manual spraying is least risky to people and the environment than aerial spraying.

The NPMCC-PSCOT study did not say whether or not aerial spraying is better or worse than manual spraying,” she said, adding that the study merely recommended a shift from pesticides to organic farming.”

Dr. Ubial said the study failed to answer which method of applying fungicide is best in controlling banana diseases. The study is not a sound basis in policy-making to address the question of wheter to allow or not aerial spraying in the banana plantations, she said