Press Release
August 7, 2009

Press statement of Senator Loren Legarda

On Dumping of wastes at sea, rivers must stop

The city government of Manila has reported that tons and tons of wastes and litter thrown onto the sea had been washed ashore at Roxas Boulevard because of the combination of wind, rain and high tide.

So-described as a "sea of litter," it was an appalling sight which should remind us that Mother Nature has her way of punishing man for his environmentally destructive activities like the dumping of wastes on water systems.

The bays of Manila and Laguna, along with most of our river systems, have become so polluted that their waters have become murky. As fishes and other marine species shun our bays, our fisherfolks have no choice but to venture out farther into the sea to be able to have some catch, thereby putting their lives in peril.

Many of our river systems, including the historic Pasig River, are either dying or already biologically dead, unable to support life. The dumping of wastes at sea and our rivers must stop now. As the main author and sponsor of the solid waste management act, Senator Legarda has urged not only the strict compliance of the law by the citizenry but its strict enforcement with the help of the local government units.

On Malacanang averting showdown with JBC

The appointment by President Arroyo of Court of Appeals Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo and lawyer Roberto Abad to fill up the two vacancies in the Supreme Court was laudable as it recognized the exclusive right of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to nominate the candidates.

After rejecting the list of six SC candidates submitted by the JBC, the President appointed Justice Del Castillo and Abad from that very list, in effect standing down from a showdown with the JBC, whose members had felt that they are being bullied by Malacañang to include in the list the administration's pet candidates to the SC.

On 100% sufficiency in coffee achievable

The initiative of the Philippine Coffee Board to have local coffee producers meet 100 percent of our coffee needs, with Mindanao tapped to play a key role in the achievement of the said goal, is most laudable.

At present, we import half of our local annual requirement of 65,000 tons, thus our getting 100 percent self-sufficient in coffee production will help local farmers by way of increased volume and higher prices for their produce.

Philippine coffee is one of the best in the world, especially those harvested in Batangas and Bukidnon. After meeting our local needs, we can then look forward to exporting coffee, which is enjoying a resurgence as a cash or high-value crop.

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