Legarda, who is keynote speaker at the mining conference organized by the Association of Law Students of the Philippines at the Ateneo de Davao University, said that while the regulation of the mining industry and enforcement of mining policies remain a great challenge to the government, there is another emerging concern—the mining activities’ propensity to exacerbate the impacts of climate change.

“The design of mining infrastructure based on weather information prior to the projections of climate change may cause disasters of greater magnitude when extreme weather events occur,” she pointed out.

She explained that intense rainfall could trigger massive erosion especially in areas already prone to landslides as what happened in a small-scale mining community in Pantukan, Compostela Valley. Landslides triggered by incessant rains occurred in the said community in April 2011 and earlier this year, killing no less than 50 individuals.

Legarda noted that a geo-hazard map of Pantukan revealed that its topography and geological features make it vulnerable to landslides, among other hazards. Despite a “no habitation policy” ordered in areas identified as landslide-prone, small-scale miners opted to stay in the mining sites.

“These instances reveal the need to strictly regulate the mining sector, from small-scale to large-scale operations. As espoused by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippine Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation, the government must delineate areas suitable for mineral resources development based on scientific information on climate change risks and vulnerability of ecosystems and communities,” the Senator explained.

“Community-based management programs of mineralized and mining areas must be reviewed to ensure direct participation of host and climate-vulnerable communities in decision-making. Current and future mining operations and infrastructure must be climate-proof and a communication plan on hazards related to mining and climate change must be implemented,” she added.

Among the other concerns she raised include the practice of responsible mining especially the mining companies’ commitment to implement environmental protection programs and social development initiatives that would ensure the progress of host and neighboring communities.

Legarda also stressed that the government should get fair share from mining activities by private companies thru royalties, and that the rights of indigenous peoples, especially over their ancestral domain, must be respected.

“Every decision we will make is crucial, it can either build better lives for our people and contribute to national development or cause the destruction of the communities, our environment, and the very lives the State aims to protect. We must aim for sustainable and responsible development of the country’s mineral resources and the protection of our people’s means of life and progress,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda made the statement at the tree-growing activity organized by Luntiang Pilipinas in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation (SKNF), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the City Government of Marikina.

“Let every day be Earth Day. We should not limit ourselves to celebrating it once or twice a year—during Earth Day and World Environment Day. We should celebrate it each day of the year because environmental issues matter to our own survival. Our love for Mother Earth reflects our love for life, for our children and our families,” Legarda stressed.

“Tree-growing is just one of the many ways by which we can contribute to protecting our environment. We must protect our watersheds, clean our lakes and rivers, and practice solid waste management. We must preserve old trees while growing new ones, and create forest parks in every barangay. I urge our Sangguniang Kabataan officials to lead tree-growing activities all over the country,” she added.

The Senator also encouraged Filipinos to adopt an environment-conscious lifestyle to help protect the planet. Citizens can start within their own households by (1) patronizing local, plant-based, and in-season foods; (2) considering energy and cost-efficient transport modes like walking, biking, taking public transport and carpooling; (3) practicing traditional energy conservation measures such as using low-wattage appliances and unplugging electronics when not in use; (4) contributing to efficient waste management system by avoiding buying unnecessary goods and patronizing recycled products; and (5) practicing water conservation activities like gathering and storing rainwater or reusing laundry water for daily chores.

“Our commitment to save our planet and contribute to the sustainability of our nation will be best demonstrated when we make it our way of life, and there is no better day to begin than today,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda said that the event was organized by Luntiang Pilipinas, which she founded, in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the City Government of Marikina.

“This tree-growing activity we organized is a sign of our continued commitment to contribute to the preservation of our environment, protection of our planet, and to mitigate the effects of climate change,” the Senator stressed.

Legarda explained that the clean and green projects, beautification programs, and other related activities that many of local government units have been undertaking for years are no longer merely community concerns. These actions are vital instruments in combating climate change.

She noted that the Philippines is one of the most active countries involved in the worldwide environmental campaign A Billion Acts of Green by the Earth Day Network. The network has recorded more than 12 million acts of green from the Philippines as the result of the country’s massive tree plantings, water conservation projects, coastal clean-ups, recycling drives, school greenings, and other related environmental programs.

“This tree growing activity we will have is one small step for a greater purpose. The Luntiang Pilipinas has undertaken similar activities with various partners and enjoined the support and active involvement of different communities to address the country’s environmental problems. We have already established hundreds of forest parks with more than two million trees nationwide and we will continue to fulfill our role in the decades to come,” Legarda concluded.

At 8:30 PM, cities and towns across the world will turn off their lights for one hour.

“As individuals and members of our respective communities, we shape the state of our environment, a reality that translates into a huge responsibility on our part. Participating in the Earth Hour is one way to crystallize norms of conduct to ensure our positive impact on the environment. We, as a nation blessed with abundant natural resources yet threatened by the impacts of climate change, should lead the world in this process,” Legarda stressed.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, further encouraged Filipinos to “carbon fast” during this Lenten season.

“Lent is a period of reflection and fasting. We must try to look for ways to reduce our individual carbon emissions. The kind of food we eat, the mode of transportation we take, the generation and our use of energy, our waste management practices, our housing design and materials, and our water consumption, all contribute to carbon dioxide emission,” she added.

“Most of us make our daily choices based on price, convenience, and expediency. Scarcely do we hear choices being made in consideration of the environment and impact on the climate. This is the crucial change of mindset that I hope will be instilled in us as we observe Lent—being constantly conscious of the effect of our choices on the Earth we live in,” Legarda pointed out.

Legarda outlined several ways to carbon fast, such as patronizing local, plant-based, and in-season foods, considering energy-efficient transport modes like walking, biking, taking public transport, and carpooling whenever possible, using low-wattage appliances, unplugging electronics when not in use, patronizing recycled products, maximizing the use of natural light and wind flow in house design, and build rainwater catchment recycling systems.

“I urge Filipinos to adopt this lifestyle as a Lenten resolve. Ultimately, the objective is to help the world manage its ecological assets more judiciously so that humanity can live within the Earth’s limitations,” Legarda concluded.

Personally witnessing the changes that have taken place in one of the country’s world-renowned heritage sites, Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, stressed that concrete and sustained actions for the preservation of the Rice Terraces must not be delayed.

During her ocular of the Bangaan cluster of the Rice Terraces, the Senator saw the need to adopt an area of the terraces for rehabilitation as a pilot project, which would hopefully jumpstart efforts to preserve this national heritage.

Moreover, during her visit to the village, Legarda expressed dismay over the structure of the houses that were no longer reminiscent of the traditional Ifugao homes—for instance, galvanized iron sheets replaced roofs that were originally made from indigenous materials such as cogon grass.

“The traditional Ifugao houses not only preserve the aesthetic value of the terraces but also protect residents from harsh weather conditions. The sturdy structure of an Ifugao house is able to withstand strong typhoons and earthquakes. This is more relevant today as we experience extreme weather events caused by climate change,” she pointed out.

During the consultation at the Banaue Hotel with government officials and community stakeholders, the Senator raised these concerns and also brought up the issue about the non-compliance with the Philippine Mining Act of some small scale mining companies, particularly those in the municipality of Hungduan, which is home to one of the five rice terrace clusters inscribed in the World Heritage List.

“Because of the complex issues surrounding the preservation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, we must have the political will, financial commitment and community engagement to ensure a long-lasting and sustainable solution. We are accountable not just to our forefathers who painstakingly constructed this important cultural landscape many centuries ago, but to the next generation of Filipinos,” Legarda concluded.

The Senator’s visit will start with a forum today on climate change at the Ifugao State University, where students and officials of the university along with representatives from the Cordillera Administrative Region - State Universities and Colleges (CAR-SUC) will participate.

On March 10, Legarda will do an ocular of the Rice Terraces and visit nearby communities to check on their livelihood activities such as weaving and wood carving. After which is the consultation with government officials and community stakeholders on the reported degradation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces. The meeting is set at 1:30 pm at the Banaue Hotel.

“We have to immediately address growing concerns over the many issues surrounding the worsening state of the rice terraces, in order to determine whether remedial measures must be introduced to ensure that this national treasure is sustainably protected,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities.

She explained that the Ifugao Rice Terraces has been dubbed as an Eighth Wonder of the World and inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1995 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). However, it was included in the 1999 World Monument Watch’s list of 100 most endangered sites and the 2001 UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger due to its deterioration.

After receiving reports that the Philippine Rice Research Institute discovered that worms were damaging the roots produced by germinated rice seeds aside from eroding the terraces by digging out their walls; while rats were eating the rice flower heads and contributing to the terraces’ erosion with their burrowing, Legarda filed Senate Resolution 440, which sought an inquiry on the said issue.

The consultation on the reported degradation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces will be attended by regional officials of the Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, provincial officers of the Department of Tourism and the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples. Community stakeholders—such as farmers, wood carvers, weavers, tourism employees, hotel owners, and leaders of indigenous peoples groups—will also participate in the meeting.

In this era when the severity and frequency of natural hazards and extreme weather events are unpredictable, rural development and urban planning have become even more critical. We have witnessed whole villages being swept away by enormous floods and various infrastructure crumbling during strong earthquakes.

It is unfortunate that it is only after disasters strike that we realize how badly we have abused our natural resources; that we have failed to faithfully pursue sustainable, adaptable and resilient development.

The development activities we engage in should not take a toll on our environment. Our thirst for progress must not result in the drought of our natural resources. Communities and human structures should be complementary with nature. People should not reside in geographically hazardous areas like near volcanoes, fault lines, water basins and mountain sides.

If we fail to judiciously plan the development of communities vis-a-vis environmental preservation, it would not be too long before we experience its adverse effects. This situation highlights the significance of environmental planning.

Environmental planning has already played a vital role in urban planning and development through the passage of Presidential Decree No. 1308. It is important to note, however, that recent developments in the field have already rendered several provisions of this landmark legislation obsolete and irrelevant.
It is therefore imperative that this august body should come up with a more updated and pertinent measure that would define the practice of environmental planning in the Philippines, establishing safeguards and benchmarks as regards registration, licensing, education and scope of work of our environmental planners, which would boost their competence in the local and international arena.
For the aforementioned reasons, this representation wishes to co-sponsor Senate Bill No. 3138, the Environmental Planning Act of 2012, under Committee Report No. 127.

Legarda made the call as she presented the first Loren Legarda Environment Award for Film during the 59th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences, Inc. (FAMAS) Awards Night.

“I would like to convey my appreciation to the FAMAS for being an instrument to promote worthwhile advocacies such as the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the environment,” she said.

“Through the Loren Legarda Environment Award for Film, we hope to encourage movie producers to create films that will send a powerful message about the urgent need to save Mother Earth,” she added.

The first motion picture to gain the Award is Project Noel, an environmental advocacy film produced by Marcus Phoenix Media Productions and directed by Jon Steffan Ballesteros.

The movie is about the story of a boy, Noel, whose journey to finish a school project about the threats to our natural wealth unraveled the worsening condition of the environment and exposed the exigent need to address the problem.

“I laud filmmakers who have exerted time and effort to create advocacy films, such as Project Noel, because despite the fact that such movies do not get much of the limelight, they pushed through it to be able to contribute in raising public awareness on vital issues that we must focus on,” the Senator stressed.

“The movie industry is far from merely being a source of entertainment as it can actually touch peoples’ lives. A good movie leaves a strong impact on its viewers and as such is undoubtedly an effective channel to convey a critical message. A single film can become the impetus to influence citizens to act for a noble cause,” Legarda concluded.

“I am happy that the Puerto Princesa Underground River made it to the New Seven Wonders of Nature. I congratulate our government, and most especially the city government of Puerto Princesa, led by Mayor Edward Hagedorn, for its efforts and intensive campaign to make this possible,” she said.

“The result that was released is still being verified by the New7Wonders Foundation, but with the exceptional beauty of the world’s longest navigable underground river, we have good reason to hope that it would be one of the official New Seven Wonders of Nature. What is actually more important than being included in this list of wonders is the continuous preservation not only of the Puerto Princesa Underground River but also of the other natural resources which we are very fortunate to have,” Legarda stressed.

The Senator explained that as one of the New Seven Wonders, the underground river would attract more tourists to Puerto Princesa. In fact, even during the campaign period, the city government of Puerto Princesa already saw a dramatic increase in its tourist arrivals—from 11,981 tourists in 2010 to 20,411 tourists between January and May 2011 alone.

However, more visitors would also mean that it would be more exposed to exploitation by both tourists and tourism-related entrepreneurs who would want to gain more at the expense of this natural wealth.

“We hope that the government of Puerto Princesa would strengthen its policies to preserve the beauty of the underground river and the ecosystems that exist in it. On the other hand, citizens should also be concerned with the protection of our heritage and must help the government in protecting our country’s natural treasures,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda made the statement as she supported EcoWaste Coalition’s “Climate-OK Christmas Guide” that would help eliminate unnecessary waste when celebrating the holiday season.

“Enjoying Christmas and New Year should not be done at the expense of our environment. It would be wise to consider the suggestion of the EcoWaste Coalition to have a green Christmas by using recycled materials for decorations, choosing energy-efficient Christmas lights and electric decors, preparing just enough amount of food during parties to avoid leftovers, choosing reusable utensils, and giving gifts that can go without wrappers,” she said.

“There’s nothing wrong in organizing grand parties if we have the means to do so, but if we want to enjoy our future holidays too, then we must be mindful of our environment now,” she stressed.

The Senator explained that the abundance of gifts and food during the holiday season usually produces tons of garbage as well. Data from the National Solid Waste Management Commission shows that an individual generates about 0.7 kilo of garbage on an average day, but it increases up to 1.2 kilos during the holiday season.

Furthermore, the EcoWaste Coalition’s waste audit of Manila Bay in November last year showed that 75.55% of the trash collected in the area was composed of plastic discards, 20.47% of which are polystyrene plastic.

In this light, Legarda welcomed the implementation of Antipolo City government’s City Ordinance 2009-370 prohibiting the use of plastic bags and polystyrene plastic, such as Styrofoam, after the moratorium on the ordinance ended last November 3.

“I am happy that more and more LGUs are prohibiting the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags and polysterene plastic. I call on other LGUs to also craft their own ordinance on total plastic bag ban to compel citizens and business establishments against the use of plastic. I hope this can be done before the year ends as a gift not only to Mother Earth but also to our citizens who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this effort,” Legarda concluded.