Press Release
October 9, 2009

With help of LGUs
LOREN BATS FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Iloilo City - Speaking before Visayas mayors at a workshop on Climate Change Adaptation through Agroforesty, Senator Loren B. Legarda today emphasized the need for local government leaders to intensify efforts to raise public awareness of the impacts of climate change and enhance the country's adaptive capacity, strengthen central government-local government coordination, planning, and funding, improve compilation of relevant scientific data and most importantly develop an effective system for disseminating information and technologies on disaster risk management.

The lady Senator also called on fellow lawmakers to pass the Disaster Risk Reduction, Management and Recovery Act so that the country can advance from a reactive disaster risk management to a pro-active approach which will be more effective in preventing damage to life and property.

"Climate change and other man-induced disasters destroy lives and halt economic progress. After the wanton destruction of our environment, nature is fighting back with unimaginable consequences," said Loren who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

She added, "What we often fail to see is the human face of climate change. It translates to agricultural loss, food scarcity and the loss of livelihood for millions of people. It can instantly take lives as we have seen in the Ondoy and Pepeng fatalities."

Further Loren said that the country and its leaders "cannot sit idly and watch such rampage take place. There's an urgent need to prepare and arm ourselves with the necessary information, skills, and technology to adapt to the changing climate."

The passage of the Lady Senator's landmark Climate Change Act will speed up capacity building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities. It is expected to be signed into law by the President within the month.

Loren who has consistently supported the cause of the environment led the founding of Luntiang Pilipinas which prompted multi-sectoral participation in environmental conservation. It has since established hundreds of forest parks with more than two million trees nationwide and on its 10th year, Luntiang Pilipinas launched 10@10: The 10 Million Trees Campaign, to plant 10 million trees by next year.

"Beating climate change is a challenge that must be taken up by local and national governments for it is a reality that confronts our communities, families, our daily lives. It is by no means distant; it is here and now. We must never let an Ondoy or Pepenghappen to our thriving cities," said Loren.

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