Del Monte says use of endosulfan has gov't nod
Says cargo was transferred without its consent
MANILA, Philippines--Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI) said Friday that the use of the pesticide endosulfan had been authorized by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and had been used by the company for decades with no untoward health incident.
The company, which packages fruits and vegetables in the Philippines under the Del Monte brand, issued the statement in response to the announcement of the National Disaster Coordinating Council that a cargo of the restricted pesticide had been loaded into the MV Princess of the Stars.
"While this cargo is owned by Del Monte Philippines Inc., it was still en route for delivery to Del Monte and was therefore outside its control at the time of the accident," the company said.
Princess of Paradise
"DMPI continuously monitors the movement of delicate materials such as endosulfan," it said.
DMPI said that without its knowledge and consent, ship owner Sulpicio Lines Inc. loaded the endosulfan in the Princess of the Stars instead of the MV Princess of Paradise, the supposed appointed vessel for the cargo.
"Upon learning that our cargo was loaded in the ill-fated [vessel], we immediately informed the FPA," DMPI said.
It said it was "in constant touch with the FPA and other government agencies to ensure that any and all action will be taken to avoid and prevent any damage."
"We want to assure the public that we in DMPI are responsible corporate citizens and we are just as concerned with the environment and are actively assisting the authorities in addressing this pressing situation," it added.
According to DMPI, the endosulfan originated from a supplier in Israel and was packed and shipped in accordance with strict international shipping standards for cargoes of this type.
It said Sulpicio Lines had been fully apprised of the nature of the cargo because all required documents were submitted, including the material safety data sheet from the supplier.
The DMPI plantation in Bukidnon is described as the largest and most integrated pineapple plantation in the world. It has been the leading exporter of processed pineapple products for nearly 80 years.
One of best
An epidemiologist of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) in Northern Mindanao said DMPI has not violated any law since it started canning operations in Misamis Oriental.
"So far, Del Monte has been one of the best companies under our jurisdiction that complies with all our policies," said Dr. Roy Mendoza of BFAD 10.
Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy were given a clean bill of health from any effects from the toxic waters surrounding the sunken passenger ferry, MV Princess of the Stars off the coast of Romblon province.

Fifty six diving personnel tasked to retrieve bodies of passengers trapped inside the ferry will undergo more tests on Saturday for any ill effects from pesticides that are suspected to have leaked in the cargo hold of the ferry.

Retrieval operations for the bodies of passengers were suspended on Friday when the cargo manifest of the ship showed large quantities of a highly toxic pesticide called endosulfan. 

Authorities feared that the pesticides could have contaminated the waters around the sunken ferry and could prove fatal to the diving crew.

Divers started to complain on Thursday of experiencing skin irritation after surfacing.

The Philippines government slammed the ferry's owners for not immediately divulging the contents of the ferry's cargo hold and threatened to add other possible criminal charges against the owners.

Environment officials are concerned that the pesticide could cause a severe damage to the delicate aquatic environment around Romblon province.