3 hours ago
4
IN celebration of World Environment Day, Sen. Loren Legarda urged the government and the private sector to go beyond rhetoric and fully implement the country's environmental laws while integrating ecological sustainability into all development plans.
ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION Sen. Loren Legarda asserts ‘the true measure of progress is not just economic growth but the well-being of our people and our planet.’ PHOTO FROM THE OFFICE OF SEN. LOREN LEGARDA
Observed every June 5, World Environment Day serves as the United Nations' principal platform for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for environmental protection.
This year's theme underscores the urgent need for global cooperation to address climate and biodiversity crises.
"As we mark World Environment Day, we must move beyond motherhood statements and ensure that environmental protection is not an afterthought but at the core of all our development efforts," Legarda emphasized.
"The true measure of progress is not just economic growth but the well-being of our people and our planet," she added.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
A long-time environmental advocate and UN Global Champion for Resilience, Legarda has authored or co-authored landmark legislation including the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the Climate Change Act of 2009, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, the Environmental Planning Act of 2013, the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016, the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018, and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022.
Legarda also cautioned against complacency.
"Environmental justice is not only about cleaner air or more trees. It is about intergenerational justice, ensuring that our children, and theirs, inherit not only land, but life," she explained.
She reaffirmed her commitment to advancing legislation and policy frameworks that safeguard the environment and promote resilience in the face of worsening climate impacts.
