Photo Release

Protect ecosystem and biodiversity: Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, during Tuesday’s hearing October 11, 2022, on the proposed P23 billion budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), asks the agency to submit a complete list of legal and illegal mining companies and their activities in the country. Legarda, a well-known environmentalist, sought the assurance of the department on the protection of the country’s ecosystem and biodiversity. “It is important to balance livelihood which is generated by sustainable and responsible mining. At the same time, the conservation and preservation of degraded areas so that to the best extent possible through nature-based solution, we will be able to restore it in order that the local communities do not suffer from the degradation of extraction from the land which was mined,” Legarda said. In response, DENR Sec. Ma. Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga assured that the department under her leadership will do its best to protect and preserve the environment and natural resources of the country. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)