As Vice Chair of the Committee on Finance and as Chair of the Committee on Climate Change, Sen. Loren Legarda vows to make sure that the budget for fiscal year 2010 will give utmost priority to addressing the issues of climate change and disaster risk reduction.
“The 1.541-trillion budget for next year was formulated by the Executive Department before the super typhoons hit our country, killed hundreds of our people, destroyed millions worth of properties and infrastructure, and devastated our people’s main sources of livelihood,” Legarda said.
In the President’s budget message, priorities were given to infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, poverty reduction, and good governance. “This is the first time that the Executive Department has given priority to environment and climate change in its budget preparations. But we must make sure that funds for these priority concerns are properly utilized and disbursed.”
“Now that the Senate Committee on Finance is finalizing its committee report on the general appropriations bill, we must re-evaluate and recast government priorities so that our agencies and local government units will be better equipped and our people will be better prepared for impending typhoons and calamities that may once again strike our country.”
First and foremost, the 2010 GAA must incorporate funding for the implementation of the Climate
hange Act which was signed into law on October 23, 2009 long after the President’s National Expenditure Program was submitted to Congress. Loren, principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 9729, pushes for the full implementation and funding of the landmark legislation. The new law mandates the development of a framework strategy and local action plans on climate change.
The Climate Change Act provides for the creation of the Commission on Climate Change that will be the sole policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change
“We should protect our agricultural and fishery sector by first providing for the identification of the Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones or SAFDZs that would delineate the biophysical properties of agri and fisheries areas including climate change adaptabilities of crops, poultry and livestock. The zones will also be the physical planning base for agri and fisheries programs and should be guarded against conversion, destructive activities like excessive quarrying and mining, forest fires, overfishing and other illegal activities in coastal areas. Second , we should enable and empower local government units to determine and prepare for their own disaster mitigation through strong counterparting of funds for agricultural and fisheries activities by correcting the inequity in salaries of local extension workers and devolving the wherewithals of extension that have been kept by the national government since the passage of the Local Government Code. But to strengthen this budgetary provision, we should pass the National Extension Bill before the passage of the GAA. Third, we should allow the farmers to produce the country’s buffer stock—especially in times of calamities—and lessen dependence on imported food to enable them to determine and produce for their—and the country’s— needs as we enter the liberalization regime in ASEAN. , Fourth, we should provide for the National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System—to ensure that the curriculum in all ladders of education strategically incorporate climate change in lifelong learning. Fifth, we should ensure that the farm-to-market roads are strategically networked in production and marketing routes and are quality-controlled to last typhoons and floods through the preparation of an Agriculture and Fisheries Infrastructure Plan. Sixth, we should identify the Basic Needs Communities in agricultural and fisheries areas to focus on the distinct basic needs intervention for the impoverished producers of our food whether in times of calamities or in between harvests. And seventh, we should ensure that the food our people eat are safe at all times by providing for a strengthened food-safety regulations in the Department of Agriculture (DA). And seventh, we should ensure that the 2010 budget should implement all the provisions of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) through an adequate monitoring budget. Included in the monitoring is putting in place and implementing a planning-programming-budgeting system for AFMA which I—as chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries— have already asked the DA to follow.
“We should also provide more efficient health services for our people, particularly Hospitals and health facilities that are Safe from Disasters because these are frontline facilities when floods, hurricanes, cyclones, and earthquakes strike. We have learned from bitter experiences in the past that many are adversely impacted because safety measures in hospitals were not integrated in their design, construction and functionality. Provisions for medicines and vaccines should also be allocated for the potential outbreak of diseases like leptospirosis borne by typhoons.”
The 2010 GAA should likewise provide for the implementation of environment protection programs that will help our local communities prevent, prepare for and minimize the potential risks they will have to suffer from the same severe weather patterns that we are experiencing now. Loren is keen on finding a budget for green jobs and resilient livelihoods to be able to offer diversified income opportunities to the most vulnerable populations to climate change in the rural areas.
Specifically, Loren wants to develop rural livelihoods through agro-forestry. There is a way to improve the livelihoods of our people in the countryside while at the same time protecting the environment and adapting to climate change.
According to Loren, “unutilized and marginal lands can be planted with trees, such as rubber trees, which can be a source of income for Filipinos. ”
“If there’s one important lesson that we must learn from the super typhoons that ravaged not only our countryside, but Metro Manila as well, it is that the government, both at the national and local levels, must draw up preventive measures so that our people and our communities will remain safe and protected.”
“The 2010 budget must not be maintenance budget. Waking up from the country’s vulnerability to disasters and climate change, next year’s budget must be instrumental in financing our climate change work to save lives and livelihoods. The 2010 budget will reveal if our leaders and decision-makers in the government have learned to finally mainstream climate change in the budgeting process. ”
Source:
http://lorenlegarda.com.ph/
http://balita.ph/2009/11/05/lawmaker-supports-move-to-realign-2010-budget-to-fund-climate-change-programs/
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Loren, Loren Sinta
During Loren’s Luneta rally, my investigative reporter James Macaquecquec reported that he overheard Loren asked someone, “Where’s the money?” But James wasn’t sure if Loren meant to say, “Where’s Manny?”
Well, Manny has been singing, “Loren, Loren sinta, madami akong pera kaya sa akin ka na lang pumunta.” (Loren, Loren my love, I got lots of money so come to me.) Like they say, “Follow the scent of money.”
Manny must be out of tune!
Now that Sen. Loren Legarda has declared her intention to seek a higher office in 2010, faultfinders will surely be a common sight everywhere, everyday and every time waiting every opportunity to distort every word that comes out of Loren’s and construe every move of the lady senator.
Take for instance the Luneta rally of Senator Loren Legarda where she enumerated her 6-point agenda before a throng of supporters.
How come one overheard Loren saying, “Where’s the money?” or “Where’s Manny?” amidst a thunderous applause, yelling and excitement of thousands of people listening to her speech?
Maybe Loren was actually saying, “People are so many! Too many!” Faultfinders can simply twist the truth. Many people were at the Luneta to follow the ‘scent of a woman’.
If Manny has been singing, “Loren, Loren sinta…” while sniffing the scent of money, he must be singing out of tune.
Well, Manny has been singing, “Loren, Loren sinta, madami akong pera kaya sa akin ka na lang pumunta.” (Loren, Loren my love, I got lots of money so come to me.) Like they say, “Follow the scent of money.”
Manny must be out of tune!
Now that Sen. Loren Legarda has declared her intention to seek a higher office in 2010, faultfinders will surely be a common sight everywhere, everyday and every time waiting every opportunity to distort every word that comes out of Loren’s and construe every move of the lady senator.
Take for instance the Luneta rally of Senator Loren Legarda where she enumerated her 6-point agenda before a throng of supporters.
How come one overheard Loren saying, “Where’s the money?” or “Where’s Manny?” amidst a thunderous applause, yelling and excitement of thousands of people listening to her speech?
Maybe Loren was actually saying, “People are so many! Too many!” Faultfinders can simply twist the truth. Many people were at the Luneta to follow the ‘scent of a woman’.
If Manny has been singing, “Loren, Loren sinta…” while sniffing the scent of money, he must be singing out of tune.
Friday, October 30, 2009
LOREN, An Iron Butterfly
She maybe a butterfly, yes, but Loren Legarda is not the kind of butterfly sashaying around the sweet and scented political garden like most nectar sucking bees do to advance their own political end.
Maybe she is more than a butterfly to many presidentiables that’s why she is sandwiched in their tug of war. Maybe majority of local chief executives in the provinces are convinced that a tandem with Loren Legarda will make the chances of administration bet bloom like wild flowers in the polls.
Like a butterfly, Loren Legarda exudes a magnetic field to flora and fauna in the political arena. Maybe because of her ironed and principled nature as a person that she has always been lured to join from one party to another. They believed and respected the credibility and advocacy of Loren - that is the simple equation.
Now, that she is orphaned by the sudden decision of her party mate Chiz Escudero and presidential hopeful to bolt NPC, Loren is geared up like an iron butterfly to rally her party mates in the NPC.
In this time of uncertainty and adversity, we need a decisive and respected individual to lead this country. We need an iron butterfly that can pollinate the democratic vineyard and adapt to a changing environment not noisy buzzing bees swarming around to pollute the minds of the people and extract them dry.
Maybe she is more than a butterfly to many presidentiables that’s why she is sandwiched in their tug of war. Maybe majority of local chief executives in the provinces are convinced that a tandem with Loren Legarda will make the chances of administration bet bloom like wild flowers in the polls.
Like a butterfly, Loren Legarda exudes a magnetic field to flora and fauna in the political arena. Maybe because of her ironed and principled nature as a person that she has always been lured to join from one party to another. They believed and respected the credibility and advocacy of Loren - that is the simple equation.
Now, that she is orphaned by the sudden decision of her party mate Chiz Escudero and presidential hopeful to bolt NPC, Loren is geared up like an iron butterfly to rally her party mates in the NPC.
In this time of uncertainty and adversity, we need a decisive and respected individual to lead this country. We need an iron butterfly that can pollinate the democratic vineyard and adapt to a changing environment not noisy buzzing bees swarming around to pollute the minds of the people and extract them dry.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Loren urges for more government support for local agriculture to compete
PASSI CITY, Iloilo, Oct. 29 - Sen. Loren Legarda today urged for more government support and “safety nets” for agricultural industries, including sugar, in the light of the free trade agreement among members of the Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN).
Loren made the appeal in the light of the of the signing of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) during the 14th ASEAN Ministers’ summit in Thailand on February 26, 2009, drastically lowering tariffs on agricultural products like rice and sugar in ASEAN trade.
“The industry needs to brace itself for the impact of trade liberalization within the ASEAN,” said Loren, referring to the agreement. While the objective is to establish a free flow of goods in the ASEAN market, Philippine agricultural products like sugar and rice will be placed at a disadvantage in the short run because of their being uncompetitive.”
The Philippines is the world’s biggest rice importer, importing rice mostly from Vietnam and Thailand, while the Philippines’ sugar production has been on a decline.
“Economic integration can be a two-edged sword. There is hope that our commitments to the ATIGA will provide the impetus for our industries to align themselves along areas of competitive advantage in the long run. However the adjustment process in the immediate term is quite worrisome, especially in the light of the impending fiscal crisis and the havoc wreaked on our agriculture by the recent natural disasters,” said Loren.
Addressing the 39th annual meeting of the Jalasig Sugarcane Planters Association here, Loren, who is the chair of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, warned that unless “we succeed in listing sugar in the highly sensitive list, tariff on imported sugar under the AFTA will be slashed from 38% to 28% in 2010.
“Even if we succeed, the measure will provide only transitory relief. Beyond the short term, our government needs to overcome the utter neglect that has characterized its past performance, and provide real safety nets and support mechanisms that will help agriculture become competitive. That is my vision for the sugar industry, and for Philippine agriculture as a whole.”
The Philippines is also negotiating with Thailand for a 35 percent tariff on rice imports, while Thailand wants the Philippines to cut the tariff to 20 percent. This would place the local rice industry under a graver threat from more massive rice importations as the world’s largest importer of the staple.
Lower tariffs on Philippine agricultural products would place them at a disadvantage in competition with similar products from ASEAN countries because of the higher cost of local agricultural production. This would give less incentive for Filipino farmers to produce more to cover the local market.
In the case of the sugar sector, Loren noted that there has been a decline in sugar production.
“I understand that this year has been relatively benign for the domestic sugar industry. Philippine Sugar Millers Association President (PSMA) Archimedes Amarra said that we already completed shipments to US on March 20, 2009 and by the end of 2009 we could ship to the world market 100,000 metric tons. He assures us that that there is enough supply to cope with the demand even though production has been declining due to high input costs.
“Actual sugar production at 2.197 million metric tons has enabled the country’s ending inventory of domestic sugar to regain reasonably normal levels. However this is a big dip from the 2007/2008 crop year output of 2.45 million metric tons …”
Loren said that as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, she had initiated measures aimed at reshaping government policy towards agriculture.
“At the end of my term, I hope to leave behind a legacy that will promote competitiveness in agriculture. This legacy consists of three major pieces of legislation, namely the Agricultural Extension Bill, the Agri Agra Bill which has already passed the Bicameral Conference Committee, and the reorientation and restructuring of the budget of the Department of Agriculture,” said Loren.
Under the agricultural extension bill which she is sponsoring, Loren hopes to further strengthen and expand agricultural extension aid to farmers by providing more incentives such as higher salaries and more technical equipment to the country’s 20,000 extension workers. These workers spread more knowledge and technical expertise to farmers in improving their production.
The Agri-Agra bill would provide more credits to farmers and agricultural workers through the private commercial banks by amending the presidential decree currently governing such loans, enabling banks to provide easier credits to agriculture.
Loren wants to provide more budgetary support to critical areas of agriculture and fisheries to increase production and provide more income farmers and fisherfolk.
Source: http://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/article-1256796881.html
Loren made the appeal in the light of the of the signing of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) during the 14th ASEAN Ministers’ summit in Thailand on February 26, 2009, drastically lowering tariffs on agricultural products like rice and sugar in ASEAN trade.
“The industry needs to brace itself for the impact of trade liberalization within the ASEAN,” said Loren, referring to the agreement. While the objective is to establish a free flow of goods in the ASEAN market, Philippine agricultural products like sugar and rice will be placed at a disadvantage in the short run because of their being uncompetitive.”
The Philippines is the world’s biggest rice importer, importing rice mostly from Vietnam and Thailand, while the Philippines’ sugar production has been on a decline.
“Economic integration can be a two-edged sword. There is hope that our commitments to the ATIGA will provide the impetus for our industries to align themselves along areas of competitive advantage in the long run. However the adjustment process in the immediate term is quite worrisome, especially in the light of the impending fiscal crisis and the havoc wreaked on our agriculture by the recent natural disasters,” said Loren.
Addressing the 39th annual meeting of the Jalasig Sugarcane Planters Association here, Loren, who is the chair of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, warned that unless “we succeed in listing sugar in the highly sensitive list, tariff on imported sugar under the AFTA will be slashed from 38% to 28% in 2010.
“Even if we succeed, the measure will provide only transitory relief. Beyond the short term, our government needs to overcome the utter neglect that has characterized its past performance, and provide real safety nets and support mechanisms that will help agriculture become competitive. That is my vision for the sugar industry, and for Philippine agriculture as a whole.”
The Philippines is also negotiating with Thailand for a 35 percent tariff on rice imports, while Thailand wants the Philippines to cut the tariff to 20 percent. This would place the local rice industry under a graver threat from more massive rice importations as the world’s largest importer of the staple.
Lower tariffs on Philippine agricultural products would place them at a disadvantage in competition with similar products from ASEAN countries because of the higher cost of local agricultural production. This would give less incentive for Filipino farmers to produce more to cover the local market.
In the case of the sugar sector, Loren noted that there has been a decline in sugar production.
“I understand that this year has been relatively benign for the domestic sugar industry. Philippine Sugar Millers Association President (PSMA) Archimedes Amarra said that we already completed shipments to US on March 20, 2009 and by the end of 2009 we could ship to the world market 100,000 metric tons. He assures us that that there is enough supply to cope with the demand even though production has been declining due to high input costs.
“Actual sugar production at 2.197 million metric tons has enabled the country’s ending inventory of domestic sugar to regain reasonably normal levels. However this is a big dip from the 2007/2008 crop year output of 2.45 million metric tons …”
Loren said that as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, she had initiated measures aimed at reshaping government policy towards agriculture.
“At the end of my term, I hope to leave behind a legacy that will promote competitiveness in agriculture. This legacy consists of three major pieces of legislation, namely the Agricultural Extension Bill, the Agri Agra Bill which has already passed the Bicameral Conference Committee, and the reorientation and restructuring of the budget of the Department of Agriculture,” said Loren.
Under the agricultural extension bill which she is sponsoring, Loren hopes to further strengthen and expand agricultural extension aid to farmers by providing more incentives such as higher salaries and more technical equipment to the country’s 20,000 extension workers. These workers spread more knowledge and technical expertise to farmers in improving their production.
The Agri-Agra bill would provide more credits to farmers and agricultural workers through the private commercial banks by amending the presidential decree currently governing such loans, enabling banks to provide easier credits to agriculture.
Loren wants to provide more budgetary support to critical areas of agriculture and fisheries to increase production and provide more income farmers and fisherfolk.
Source: http://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/article-1256796881.html
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Luntiang Pilipinas Revisited
A nationwide forestry program committed to the promotion of environmental protection.
THE CHALLENGE
The deterioration of the country's forest areas is the root of our water crisis, flooding and imbalanced ecosystem.
Illegal loggers plundern hardwood wherever they are: in precious and life-giving watershed areas, and even in protected areas like our national parks and forest reservations.
Most of our 125 proclaimed watershed areas are covering a total of 1.5M hectares have been classified as deteriorating or dying. We lose 1.4 percent of our forest cover every year.
Total protected area is only 2.5 million hectares or just 9 percent of total land area of the country. Protection is mostly nominal. There is only one forest guard for every four thousand hectares.
OUR EFFORTS
Luntiang Pilipinas is a nationwide tree-growing program that seeks to create Forest Parks in urban areas- in national and local government centers, school grounds, chruch yards and along roadsides.
The foundation envisions itself in the next ten years to be catalyst in the protecting and preserving the environment through the:
- Creation of an atmosphere for a sustainable Green Philippines.
- Institutionalization of a Corps of Green Crusaders among Filipinos, especially the youth to sustain the environmental program.
- Effecting change in values and attitudes through environmental information, education, and communication (IEC) and;
- Intensification of multi-stakeholder cooperation in sustainable development.
PROJECTS
It was on October 28, 1998 when Luntiang Pilipinas was launched by Senator Loren Legarda at the Rizal Park. It was institutionalized and operationalized as a complementing private initiative program on nationwide urban forestry with the primary aim of raising the level of consciousness of Filipinos to the value of trees.
REGULAR FOREST PARKS
This involves the development of Forest Parks in provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays nationwide and every conceivable areas such as church yards , town plazas, and many other available places. The partnership with the local government units is vital in institutionalizing environmental awareness and management in local governance. A number of Memoranda of Agreement have been entered into by Luntiang Pilipinas with various LGUs, NGOs and POS to effectively carry out the objectives of the program.
CAMPUS FOREST PARKS
This is part of the strategic approach of bringing the concept of environmental protection to the youth by creating Forest Parks in school campuses.
NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY (NSEW) GREENBELT PROJECT
The project calls for the creation of the Forest Park in each of the 52 loops of the 127-Kilometer stretch NSEW from Calamba, Laguna to Dau, Pampanga by planting 12, 000 to 15, 000 trees in each loop. At the same time trees are planted two to four meters apart depending on the tree specie. This is a joint undertaking with the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC)and the Manila North Tollways Corporation.
TRAFFIC ISLAND FOREST PARKS
The inauguration of the Buendia Center Island Forest Park project gave impetus to the launching this new environmental endeavor. With the support and assistance of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the mayors if the cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region, this project aims to create Forest Parks in selected traffic islands in various parts of Metro Manila.
THE FOUNDER
Senator Loren Legarda has been hailed as a "Green Crusader" because of her staunch advocacy of environmental issues, particularly those pertaining to forest and marine resources. As a legislator, she has authored and co-authored two landmark environmental legislattions: the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).
In 2001, Loren was elected to the prestigious Global 500 Roll of Honor for environmental Achievement by the United Nations Environment Program in Turin, Italy and to the Global Leaders of tomorrow (GLTs) for 2000 by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. She was also awarded by the Priyadarshni Academy in India for her exemplary contributions to the environment. She was a Likas Yaman (Natural Treasure) awardee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for her outstanding work as founding chair of the Save Our Seas (SOS) and Trees for Life Foundations.
As a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years, she championed the cause for a more healthful ecology for heightening public awareness of environmental problems through her television programs "Pep Talk" and "The Inside Story". Her subsequent newsmagazine program "Earth Link" became the first television documentary series on the environment and was awarded both the KBP Golden Dove Award and the EarthSavers Media Award on its maiden season.
Senator Loren continues to fight for Mother Nature and with your help, we will make our environment greener, in a more progressive and healthy Philippines.
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
More than TWO MILLION TREES have been planted in approximately 5oo Hectares across the country visible in 33 provinces, 28 cities and 84 municipalities made possible through assistance of over 240 institutional partners including 28 corporate donors and benefactors, 22 national government agencies, 21 non-governmental organizations (NGO), 22educational institutions, two international/foreign entities and countless individuals backed up by a well planned information, education and communication (IEC) campaign with the primary aim of raising the level of consciousness among Filipinos to the value of trees.
THE CHALLENGE
The deterioration of the country's forest areas is the root of our water crisis, flooding and imbalanced ecosystem.
Illegal loggers plundern hardwood wherever they are: in precious and life-giving watershed areas, and even in protected areas like our national parks and forest reservations.
Most of our 125 proclaimed watershed areas are covering a total of 1.5M hectares have been classified as deteriorating or dying. We lose 1.4 percent of our forest cover every year.
Total protected area is only 2.5 million hectares or just 9 percent of total land area of the country. Protection is mostly nominal. There is only one forest guard for every four thousand hectares.
OUR EFFORTS
Luntiang Pilipinas is a nationwide tree-growing program that seeks to create Forest Parks in urban areas- in national and local government centers, school grounds, chruch yards and along roadsides.
The foundation envisions itself in the next ten years to be catalyst in the protecting and preserving the environment through the:
- Creation of an atmosphere for a sustainable Green Philippines.
- Institutionalization of a Corps of Green Crusaders among Filipinos, especially the youth to sustain the environmental program.
- Effecting change in values and attitudes through environmental information, education, and communication (IEC) and;
- Intensification of multi-stakeholder cooperation in sustainable development.
PROJECTS
It was on October 28, 1998 when Luntiang Pilipinas was launched by Senator Loren Legarda at the Rizal Park. It was institutionalized and operationalized as a complementing private initiative program on nationwide urban forestry with the primary aim of raising the level of consciousness of Filipinos to the value of trees.
REGULAR FOREST PARKS
This involves the development of Forest Parks in provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays nationwide and every conceivable areas such as church yards , town plazas, and many other available places. The partnership with the local government units is vital in institutionalizing environmental awareness and management in local governance. A number of Memoranda of Agreement have been entered into by Luntiang Pilipinas with various LGUs, NGOs and POS to effectively carry out the objectives of the program.
CAMPUS FOREST PARKS
This is part of the strategic approach of bringing the concept of environmental protection to the youth by creating Forest Parks in school campuses.
NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY (NSEW) GREENBELT PROJECT
The project calls for the creation of the Forest Park in each of the 52 loops of the 127-Kilometer stretch NSEW from Calamba, Laguna to Dau, Pampanga by planting 12, 000 to 15, 000 trees in each loop. At the same time trees are planted two to four meters apart depending on the tree specie. This is a joint undertaking with the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC)and the Manila North Tollways Corporation.
TRAFFIC ISLAND FOREST PARKS
The inauguration of the Buendia Center Island Forest Park project gave impetus to the launching this new environmental endeavor. With the support and assistance of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the mayors if the cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region, this project aims to create Forest Parks in selected traffic islands in various parts of Metro Manila.
THE FOUNDER
Senator Loren Legarda has been hailed as a "Green Crusader" because of her staunch advocacy of environmental issues, particularly those pertaining to forest and marine resources. As a legislator, she has authored and co-authored two landmark environmental legislattions: the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).
In 2001, Loren was elected to the prestigious Global 500 Roll of Honor for environmental Achievement by the United Nations Environment Program in Turin, Italy and to the Global Leaders of tomorrow (GLTs) for 2000 by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. She was also awarded by the Priyadarshni Academy in India for her exemplary contributions to the environment. She was a Likas Yaman (Natural Treasure) awardee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for her outstanding work as founding chair of the Save Our Seas (SOS) and Trees for Life Foundations.
As a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years, she championed the cause for a more healthful ecology for heightening public awareness of environmental problems through her television programs "Pep Talk" and "The Inside Story". Her subsequent newsmagazine program "Earth Link" became the first television documentary series on the environment and was awarded both the KBP Golden Dove Award and the EarthSavers Media Award on its maiden season.
Senator Loren continues to fight for Mother Nature and with your help, we will make our environment greener, in a more progressive and healthy Philippines.
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
More than TWO MILLION TREES have been planted in approximately 5oo Hectares across the country visible in 33 provinces, 28 cities and 84 municipalities made possible through assistance of over 240 institutional partners including 28 corporate donors and benefactors, 22 national government agencies, 21 non-governmental organizations (NGO), 22educational institutions, two international/foreign entities and countless individuals backed up by a well planned information, education and communication (IEC) campaign with the primary aim of raising the level of consciousness among Filipinos to the value of trees.
Loren Legarda
Friends in media, and her staff, texted me about Loren Legarda's planned declaration of candidacy at the Luneta Park last Friday. Loren right now stands to be a lone voice on the issue of climate change. That of course may change with the kind of "awakening" that we got from Ondoy and Pepeng. Candidates may now find it a worthy way to get more votes, especially in the hotly-contested and Ondoy-devasted Metro Manila.
So let's give Loren five green point for the simple reason of thinking ahead of the pack.Come to think of it, this means she has the foresight, the vision if you may, compared to other candidates whose campaigns are still anchored on cheesy messiahnic message of "lalaban tayo." Eh sino lalabanan mo?
Thousands gathered at the Luneta: not the kind of mob that televangelists usually gather, but impressive nonetheless as these are people she's been with in the past post-Ondoy weeks: the people of Potrero, Malabon; Lupang Arenda in Rizal - whose houses are threatened to obscurity by the overflowing Laguna Lake -- and the Moslem community of Quiapo. People from her political bailiwicks Batangas and Ilocos were also there.
Loren did not do what was expected of her during her speech. She did not reveal her intentions for 2010 during her speech but admitted later - in a press conference - that she is gunning for the vice presidency.
Many thought - me included - that she would still insist on running as president of the country which she stressed is the best platform for pursuing preparations for climate change. She may have probably realized that she has a better chance of getting what she wants done by pairing with a stronger candidate, who has the same vision.
That is something we will eagerly await for. Who will be Loren's number 1 and will the environment be a crucial part of his platform?
I've requested my friends involved in Loren's campaign for a copy of her speech. I wish to see it in detail, although I have a general idea of her platform.
Anyway, in that same morning, Loren came to witness the signing of the Climate Change Act in Malacanang. While Ondoy and Pepeng made these bills more urgent than ever, let's give Loren five more green points for the kind of work she put to get the bill passed. It is not easy to get a bill passed if you're a big opposition name and a serious presidential contender.
Source: http://thegreenvote.blogspot.com/2009/10/loren-legarda.html
So let's give Loren five green point for the simple reason of thinking ahead of the pack.Come to think of it, this means she has the foresight, the vision if you may, compared to other candidates whose campaigns are still anchored on cheesy messiahnic message of "lalaban tayo." Eh sino lalabanan mo?
Thousands gathered at the Luneta: not the kind of mob that televangelists usually gather, but impressive nonetheless as these are people she's been with in the past post-Ondoy weeks: the people of Potrero, Malabon; Lupang Arenda in Rizal - whose houses are threatened to obscurity by the overflowing Laguna Lake -- and the Moslem community of Quiapo. People from her political bailiwicks Batangas and Ilocos were also there.
Loren did not do what was expected of her during her speech. She did not reveal her intentions for 2010 during her speech but admitted later - in a press conference - that she is gunning for the vice presidency.
Many thought - me included - that she would still insist on running as president of the country which she stressed is the best platform for pursuing preparations for climate change. She may have probably realized that she has a better chance of getting what she wants done by pairing with a stronger candidate, who has the same vision.
That is something we will eagerly await for. Who will be Loren's number 1 and will the environment be a crucial part of his platform?
I've requested my friends involved in Loren's campaign for a copy of her speech. I wish to see it in detail, although I have a general idea of her platform.
Anyway, in that same morning, Loren came to witness the signing of the Climate Change Act in Malacanang. While Ondoy and Pepeng made these bills more urgent than ever, let's give Loren five more green points for the kind of work she put to get the bill passed. It is not easy to get a bill passed if you're a big opposition name and a serious presidential contender.
Source: http://thegreenvote.blogspot.com/2009/10/loren-legarda.html
Implement Law On Climate Change Adaptation
Speaking at the National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation, Senator Loren Legarda today called for the serious implementation of her landmark legislation that will strengthen our country’s efforts in addressing the greatest humanitarian challenge, climate change.
“The passage of the Climate Change Act, could not have come to a time more ideal than today. And I am pleased to be with you again to further discuss this landmark legislation,” said Loren who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change.
The filing of this measure two years ago took inspiration from the Albay Declaration, the outcome document of the First National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation, as it called for “the passage of a policy prioritizing climate change adaptation in the national agenda”.
“The ensuing discussions on the threats of climate change to our basic human rights - food, potable water, shelter, decent livelihood and life itself, have occupied us for some time now. In response to these impacts, vulnerable countries like the Philippines should ramp up efforts to enhance the resilience of our people,” laments Loren.
She added, “Special attention should be given to the poorest of the poor, who are also the most vulnerable to the scourge of disasters. They are the small farmers, fisherfolk, upland dwellers, urban squatters living on riverbanks, forestlands, seashores, and low-lying areas. Without planning and assistance, more will lose their lives, homes and farms that make up their life's possession. Just a single extreme weather event can derail the achievement of our Millennium Development Goals' target.”
“While climate change has recently been at the forefront of international and local discourse, it is perhaps only now that we have seen its devastating impacts,” said Loren, citing the consequences of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.
She said it took these two calamities “for us to realize the urgent need to confront the drivers of our vulnerability to disasters and climate change – poor urban governance, vulnerable rural livelihoods and ecosystems decline – in order to save lives and secure livelihoods.”
Climate Change Act will build resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Commission on Climate Change shall be the sole policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change.
The Climate Change Act mandates the Commission to:
1. Coordinate and synchronize climate change programs of national government agencies;
2. Recommend key development investments in climate-sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, forestry, coastal and marine resources, health, and infrastructure to ensure the achievement of national sustainable development goals;
3. Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation;
4. Coordinate and establish a close partnership with the National Disaster Coordinating Council in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the people’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters; and
5. Formulate the Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change, the National Climate Change Action Plan and facilitate local action plans.
The Climate Change Act puts the local governments in the frontline of the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans which includes risk reduction, in their respective areas speeding up the capacity building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities.
Further, the new legislation places disaster risk reduction as the first line of defense against climate change risks. Recognizing that climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction are closely linked and effective disaster risk reduction enhances climate change adaptive capacity, the measure will ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction into policies, programs and initiatives on climate change.
The Climate Change Act, the first in Asia, sums up the country's great resolve to take the issue of climate change very seriously. It goes to show that we value above everything else the welfare of our people through the protection of the world where we all live.
“This law is for us, our children and the generations after them. Ensuring its full implementation is the great challenge and responsibility posed to us all,” said Loren. (30)
“The passage of the Climate Change Act, could not have come to a time more ideal than today. And I am pleased to be with you again to further discuss this landmark legislation,” said Loren who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change.
The filing of this measure two years ago took inspiration from the Albay Declaration, the outcome document of the First National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation, as it called for “the passage of a policy prioritizing climate change adaptation in the national agenda”.
“The ensuing discussions on the threats of climate change to our basic human rights - food, potable water, shelter, decent livelihood and life itself, have occupied us for some time now. In response to these impacts, vulnerable countries like the Philippines should ramp up efforts to enhance the resilience of our people,” laments Loren.
She added, “Special attention should be given to the poorest of the poor, who are also the most vulnerable to the scourge of disasters. They are the small farmers, fisherfolk, upland dwellers, urban squatters living on riverbanks, forestlands, seashores, and low-lying areas. Without planning and assistance, more will lose their lives, homes and farms that make up their life's possession. Just a single extreme weather event can derail the achievement of our Millennium Development Goals' target.”
“While climate change has recently been at the forefront of international and local discourse, it is perhaps only now that we have seen its devastating impacts,” said Loren, citing the consequences of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.
She said it took these two calamities “for us to realize the urgent need to confront the drivers of our vulnerability to disasters and climate change – poor urban governance, vulnerable rural livelihoods and ecosystems decline – in order to save lives and secure livelihoods.”
Climate Change Act will build resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Commission on Climate Change shall be the sole policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change.
The Climate Change Act mandates the Commission to:
1. Coordinate and synchronize climate change programs of national government agencies;
2. Recommend key development investments in climate-sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, forestry, coastal and marine resources, health, and infrastructure to ensure the achievement of national sustainable development goals;
3. Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation;
4. Coordinate and establish a close partnership with the National Disaster Coordinating Council in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the people’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters; and
5. Formulate the Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change, the National Climate Change Action Plan and facilitate local action plans.
The Climate Change Act puts the local governments in the frontline of the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans which includes risk reduction, in their respective areas speeding up the capacity building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities.
Further, the new legislation places disaster risk reduction as the first line of defense against climate change risks. Recognizing that climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction are closely linked and effective disaster risk reduction enhances climate change adaptive capacity, the measure will ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction into policies, programs and initiatives on climate change.
The Climate Change Act, the first in Asia, sums up the country's great resolve to take the issue of climate change very seriously. It goes to show that we value above everything else the welfare of our people through the protection of the world where we all live.
“This law is for us, our children and the generations after them. Ensuring its full implementation is the great challenge and responsibility posed to us all,” said Loren. (30)
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