RDR defends aerial spraying, having survived 30 years of it

DAVAO del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario has taken the cudgels for aerial spraying, saying banning the practice will prove disastrous to the industry, especially in his province where 36,000 of the 60,000 hectares in the Davao region are located. “Banning the practice will cause a grave economic problem to our people,” he said. 
As for the claim by oppositors that aerial spraying pauses a hazard to people’s health in banana plantations, the governor said that he had worked in banana plantations for 30 years without experiencing any after effects from aerial spraying. And that includes his own family, citing the case of his youngest daughter, now 27 years old, who was born as a perfect child and raised normally in the Tagum Agricultural Development Corporation (Tadeco) plantation where he had started out as a young supervisor. “She is even the brightest among my five children.” said the governor, who retired as one of the top officials of the Anflo Investment Corp. in September of 2007.
As a supervisor, Del Rosario was exposed to aerial spraying for many years but felt no harmful effects from it, saying that “aerial spraying is not harmful as long as recommended regulations in its use are followed.” In fact, he is willing to testify before any congressional hearing on a ban to aerial spraying, for that would give him the opportunity “to prove that banning it would lead to huge economic losses.” 
For one thing, Del Rosario pointed out, low-dosage fungicides, not pesticides as claimed, are being applied on banana plants and safety regulations are strictly observed, like the wearing of protective gear, that even those who come in contact with drips will not suffer from any illness. Furthermore, he said, that experience shows that aerial spraying is even safer than manual spraying where farm workers are exposed to bigger danger. In aerial spraying, warning signs are placed in conspicuous places so that everyone is informed about it.
Only recently, a reported study in 2006 on the effects on inhabitants of Camocaan, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, had concluded that illnesses in people residing there were caused by aerial spraying, and that the practice should be banned.
The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), however, down-played the study after finding loopholes in it that proved the study is far from adequate to be conclusive. Like, for instance, in the manner samples had been taken from areas where they ought not to have been taken, as testified to by residents of Camocaan and Baliwaga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
The PBGEA has asked for a review of the study by government entities because of the inadequacies. So far, it is only the University of the Philippines which has reportedly agreed to do so.