KIDAPAWAN CITY | June 14, 2022– FPA SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Officer (RO) Alita Bornea and Provincial Officer (PO) Maricel Tabigue were invited to attend the public hearing on the proposed Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-16-032 entitled “Providing for the Revised Environmental Code of Cotabato Province, Repealing for the Purpose Ordinance No. 326 and for Other Purposes” on June 9, 2022 at Capitol Compound, Amas, Kidapawan City, Cotabato.
The proposed provincial ordinance includes FPA related concerns as follows:
- Regulations on the disposal of empty pesticide containers pursuant to existing laws, rules, and policies issued by the FPA and DENR; and
- Regulations on aerial and power spraying. This is to provide policies in the banning and prohibition of aerial spraying of pesticides using manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) like drones, in all agricultural activities in Cotabato, with reference to FPA MC No. 28, s. 2018 or the Good Agricultural Practices for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
The provincial ordinance aimed to ensure the protection of the environment, preservation and sustainable utilization of the resources, and the promotion of healthful and balanced ecology.
The public hearing served as a venue for non-government organizations (NGOs), national line agencies, local government units (LGUs), environmental advocates, business and academe sectors to contribute with the revision of the provincial ordinance to be more comprehensive, updated and fitting with the current status of the city. The inputs discussed during the hearing shall be included in the drafting of the revised environmental code.
The said provincial ordinance was authored by Hon. Jonathan M. Tabara who is also the Chairperson of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Environment, Climate Change Adaption, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. ###
Sources:
Provincial Government of Cotabato. (June 2022).
https://www.facebook.com/cotabatoprovinceofficial
Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council – North Cotabato PAFC-NC. (June 2022).
Written by: Joey B. Pascua | Published: 14 June 2022
Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team
