Philippines: environment watchdog formed to monitor pineapple plantation

Pineapple growers in Maasim, Sarangani and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) have created a multi-partite monitoring team (MMT) for pineapple plantations. The MMT shall monitor project compliance with the Environmental Management Plan and conditions stipulated in the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued to grower Polo Samahang Nayon Multi Purpose Cooperative (PSNMPC).

Representatives of the EMB, PSNMPC and pineapple giant Dole Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement creating the MMT Wednesday (August 23). MMT members include the local environment and health offices, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and municipal tribal chieftain, Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority, a local women's association, Mahintana Foundation, and eight barangay captains within and around the plantation site.

One of the MMT functions is to "gather information to facilitate determination of causes and extent of damages and validity of public complaints or concerns" about the plantation project. The agreement established an Environmental Guarantee Fund "as a lead source for the indemnification of damages" that may be caused by the project and for "immediate rehabilitation and/or restoration of affected ecosystems."

It also set up an Environmental Monitoring Fund "to cover the expenses of environmental monitoring and surveillance activities of the MMT." Dole Philippines has provided a vehicle worth P600,000 to be used by the monitoring team in the project site. "We are helping the growers form their own cooperative. Until then we will do all possible means to protect the area," SNMPC manager Diorito Bitantos said.

Rolando Tuballes, Maasim environment officer, disclosed that "solid waste management and pollution control is manageable in the plantation site.""What we need to do more is the conservation of soil and water in the plantation area that directly affects the growers themselves and the community," Tuballes said.

Maasim has earned at least P300,000 in revenues from growers at the plantation site in barangay Amsipit, a high elevation field of rolling hills. "We will be expanding 3,500 hectares of pineapple in Amsipit and its adjacent barangays," said Oscar Simanagan, a superintendent of Dole Philippines.

Sinamagan, who is officer-in-charge of the Maasim plantation, said the firm's expansion program of 3,500 hectares planted by 2008 targets a 25-hectare per week planting schedule. He added that Dole Philippines would install a mobile processing plant at the site next year to process fresh fruits for shipment in General Santos City, 43 kilometers east of Maasim.

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