Loren launches Luntian's seedling bank on World Environment Day

LOS BANOS, Laguna (June 5) - Senator Loren Legarda warned today against people being complacent in addressing environment problems as she, along with officials of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the provincial government of Laguna, launched the Luntiang Pilipinas National Seedling Bank here.

Legarda said that concerns like global warming tend to take the back seat to the more immediate concerns of people like food, jobs and education, until such time that they fall victims to floods, droughts and other environmental catastrophes.

On the occasion of the international celebration of World Earth Day, Legarda nonetheless said there's a lot to be optimistic about, including the inspiring collaboration between Luntiang Pilipinas and BPI in putting up the seedling bank.

"While we do not claim this to be an overnight, instant solution to environmental problems, this is a step in the right direction to revive nature for the benefit of all people, including future generations," said Legarda.

The seedling bank located at the Los Baños National Crop Research and Development Center of the BPI will provide local government units and people organizations, among others, seedlings and saplings for their tree-planting and vegetable-raising activities," she said.

Since Senator Legarda founded Luntian in 1998, the organization of volunteer "eco-warriors" have already planted over two million trees in mini-forest parks and along roads and highways nationwide.

Luntian and BPI have signed a memorandum of agreement for their joint upkeep of the national seedling bank and for further collaboration on tree-planting and other environmental undertakings.

BPI Director Joel S. Rudinas signed the MOA on behalf of their respective organizations.

Legarda thanked Governor Ningning Lazaro and the people of Laguna for hosting the seedling bank and for their continued support for Luntian's projects.

"With your indulgence and continuing support, we hope to continue conducting tree-planting activities in your respective localities here in Laguna. We likewise encourage the putting up of vegetable gardens in every barangay," she said.

"Sa tulong ng seedling nursery dito sa Los Baños, maaari na tayong makapagtanim ng iba't-ibang punong-kahoy tulad ng narra, mahogany, ilang-ilang, durian, sampalok, caimito, mangga, kalabasa, malunggay, talilong, saluyut, upo, patola at marami pang iba - higit pa sa dami ng mga halaman sa kantang 'Bahay Kubo.'"

Legarda said BPI has committed not only to house the seedling bank at its R&D center but to also provide the technical expertise and know-how needed to implement Luntian's environmental advocacy.

She stressed that the greening of the environment through the planting of trees will help minimize air pollution and mitigate the effects of global warming.

The planting of vegetables and fruit-bearing trees, on the other hand, will also help Filipinos attain food security in the face of the rising cost of their daily health sustenance.

"Today, we all share the pride, joy and zeal of the Filipino people and the rest of the global community as we celebrate World Environment Day. This is an occasion to make us all aware of the state of the environment and the need to immediately do something - however small an action it may be - to protect and preserve it," Legarda said.

The other day, Legarda delivered a privilege speech at the Senate to issue a call to build capacities to combat global warming, which she described as the greatest scourge of mankind at present.

"Its destructive power is so enormous that the whole world has experienced droughts, massive flooding, snowless winters, summers of baking heat, all within a few months time. The effects of erratic climate shifts have recognized no boundaries nor spared any race or territory," she said.