Press Release
August 23, 2008

Loren calls for protection of nature

"Mother Nature takes good care of us. So why don't we reciprocate?"

This, in a nutshell, was the message Senator Loren Legarda wants to impart to smoke belchers, litterers, and those engaged in wanton destruction of forests and watershed.

"We have plenty of laws aimed at protecting our nature but they are not being strictly implemented," Legarda said yesterday as she batted for the full implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1999 which she co-authored.

Legarda noted that despite the passage of R.A. 8749, our main thoroughfares, streets and avenues are still dominated by smoke belching vehicles.

"Weren't they tested at the smoke emission testing centers before they were registered with the Land Transportation (LTO), or what?," Legarda asked.

"The authorities should not allow these smoke belchers in our avenues because of the smoke they leave that's detrimental to the health of the commuters and to all of us," she said.

Legarda was alarmed by the separate studies conducted by the Philippine Environment monitor and the Blacksmith Institute on air and water, respectively.

"According to the report, close to five thousand die each year in Metro Manila due to respiratory and cardio vascular diseases caused by excessive exposure to polluted air," Legarda said, citing the PEM study of air in Metro Manila.

Legarda explained that air pollution, like water pollution, has direct impact on a person.

"We just don't know the danger on us each time we inhale polluted air which goes directly to our lungs. It is not different from when you drink polluted water, which is like drinking poison." She said.

Legarda said that in another report conducted by the Blacksmith Institute, it was found out that a river in Marilao, Bulacan is said to be the dirtiest or within the top 30 of dirtiest rivers in the world.

"It is not surprising why we have a lot of dead rivers, esteros, canals and ravines because of the filth and garbage that emanate from industries and canneries," she noted.

"What's disheartening is that we only remember our nature when it has direct impact on us. Add to that the wanton destruction of our forest and watershed," Legarda averred, citing the near water crisis a few months back.

"It's a good thing that rain came early to save us from impending water crisis. Otherwise, we could have resorted to water ration,"

"Do we have to experience wrath of nature before we take drastic action?" legarda asked.

Legarda reminded that the country has plenty of laws on preservation of our nature which are not being implemented properly, or not at all. If at all implemented, she said it was meant to be a sort of "reactionary" on a grave problem.

"It's sad, we lack political will," she uttered.

Legarda said these laws, including the Clean Air Act, must be fully implemented, by way of going after smoke belchers, litterers, especially those who throw garbage on canals, esteros, and rivers.

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