Press Release
December 20, 2009

ANGARA PURSUING "GREENING THE ENVIRONMENT"

With the advent of climate change the 2010 national budget is designed not only to stimulate the economy through massive human capital development, but more importantly it will pursue a green and sustainable growth.

"Climate change has drastically altered not only our ecosystems but has also forced more people into poverty due to depleted natural resources and the threat of more catastrophic natural disasters," said Angara who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.

He added," Mitigation and adaptation measures should be taken, and the people most vulnerable to its consequences must be given disaster preparedness training."

The ratified budget for 2010 provides P500B for "Greening the Environment"; Clean water P30M, Solid Waste Management P37M, Protected areas P180M, Rehabilitation of lakes and rivers P50M, Mapping of forest cover P50M and P100M for the operation of the Climate Change Commission.

Greening the country is an integral component of our development agenda - harnessing our rich natural resources and protecting the environment for sustainable growth.

"Environmental protection is not a choice. It is a necessity. Another lesson learned from the Ondoy and Pepeng experience is that we need to put in place a more efficient disaster prediction and response system. We can prevent severe loss of life and property if we are better prepared and equipped. Next year will not only take care of our environment but it will also create green jobs and income opportunities that would provide a better quality of life for Filipinos," said Angara.

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