Press Release
September 18, 2008

Loren launches seedlingbanks in two Antique towns

Senator Loren Legarda yesterday said the Philippines is gaining momentum in its effort to restore its once verdant forests needed to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Legarda made the statement during her visit in San Jose, Antique yesterday where she was guest of honor and keynote speaker during the inauguration of a seedling bank and in the GGP Core Shelter Ground Breaking Ceremonies in two localities.

The seedling bank is part of the Luntiang Pilipinas she has been advocating by encouraging Filipino citizens to plant trees, which she said is the first and logical step to mitigate the ill effects of climate change which are sure to happen.

"By planting trees, we become tools in the country's effort to restore our once virginal forests, a sort of putting carpet in our surrounding to cushion the impact of sure, yet unforeseen circumstances spawned by sudden shift of weather," she told local residents of Antique in Binirayan Hills in San Jose where she launched a seedling bank.

"As an ecological warrior and environmental advocate, this has become my personal mission - to impart with our fellow citizens not only the importance of being aware and understanding what is going on around us but, more importantly, spur them into action and participate, even in small and simple ways, in this huge undertaking," she added.

After launching the seedling bank which is part of her Luntiang Pilipinas, Legarda also proceeded in two Antique localities where ground breaking ceremonies were held in Barangay Trinidad, San Remigio and Brgy. Sido in Sibalom to wrap up her busy day in this province.

Present during the ceremonies were Ambassador Makoto Katsura of Japan, Antique Governor Salvacion Perez, Vice Governor Rhodora Cadiao, Mayor Elizabeth Coloso.

Legarda also attended the similar ground breaking ceremony held at Barangay Sido, Sibalom which was graced by Sibalom Mayor Virginia Lotilla, Hon. Dante Beriong, with Ambassador katsura, Gov. Perez, Vice Gov. Cadiao and Mayor Lotilla witnessing.

Legarda, an ecological warrior who has been giving ample time for the implementation of the Luntiang Pilipinas project, has also gone to other localities where she also launched similar seedling banks, including one in Lipa City and in University of the Philippines-Los Baños in Laguna.

"We can not deny the fact that we've been observing sudden shifts in weather. Today would be rainy, but tomorrow would be too hot. We are puzzled by these changes which can trigger unforeseen events such as landslides in mountainous places, or extreme drought in some areas. These are the things which we tackle in what we now call Climate Change," she explained.

"And these unpredictable change in our weather is caused by the so-called global warming which is now the subject of great concern by most countries, including the Philippines," she added.

Legarda also explained that part of the measures to mitigate the serious effects of climate change is to repair our damaged environment which actually provides humankind with a sort of cover each time natural calamity or calamities strike.

"We seem to realize the importance of forest after every calamity when tragedy has already happened. Those things like what happened in the past in Ormoc City and recently in Compostela Valley can be avoided if only people are vigilant enough to take care of the environment," she said.

"It is time we started planting trees as it is the first step toward our goal in addressing the pressing problems posed by climate change," she added.

Memorandum of agreements were also forged between the two local government in Antique - San Remigio and Sibalom -- and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the propagation of seedlings which will be planted in different areas in the province.

Legarda added that Luntiang Pilipinas, along with other environmental organizations and movements, has not only sought to raise the level of awareness of our communities on the ill-effects of climate change, but more importantly, enjoin everyone, all people from all walks of life to undertake initiatives that will help our respective local communities to adapt to challenges of global warming and mitigate its risks and effects on our environment and our people.

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