Press Release
April 21, 2009

Villar: Creation of Green-Collar Jobs A Must

Nacionalista Party President Senator Manny Villar believes that the creation of green-collar jobs would be beneficial not only for the environment but would likewise help boost the economy, particularly since it would ease the unemployment problem in the country.

"Jobs should not be limited only to the so-called white-collar or blue-collar jobs. Green-collar jobs should become part of the overall employment structure. This is not just a mere label but should serve its dual purpose of environmental protection and job generation. In fact, blue-collar jobs can be transformed or complemented with green-collar jobs," said Villar.

In this regard, the former Senate President filed Senate Bill 3144 or 'An act promoting the creation of green collar jobs, providing a strategic initiative for its implementation and for other purposes'.

Villar cited on the bill: "In the context of the current economic crisis facing the country, a massive push to promote ecological protection and develop renewable resources of energy could create thousands of new jobs and help the economy recover."

Green-collar jobs involve products and services that are environment-friendly. These include among others those focused on the design, manufacture, installation, operation, maintenance of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. These further cover professions such as green building architects, organic farmers, ecology educators, alternative energy engineers, among many more.

According to Villar, "It is not only the economy that is being battered all over the world, the environment is also getting its fair share of challenges, the threats of climate change and global warming is real and serious. The ongoing global recession may yet be the perfect time to confront these economic and environmental issues and concerns through 'green employment'."

Among the areas that have immediate needs for green-collar jobs cited on Villar's proposed bills include coastal clean-up and bay watch projects; reforestation efforts and tree-planting; construction and designation of bike lands and installation of solar-powered street lights; garbage collection; and refitting public utility vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas or LPG.

Villar said his bill hopes to complement the present efforts of the national government, particularly the creation of a P2-billion reforestation fund to provide employment in the re-greening of logged-over uplands in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Lanao del Sur and the regeneration of mangroves.

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