Press Release
April 16, 2016

ENVIRONMENTALISTS ENDORSE CHIZ'S VP BID

A group of environmentalists pushing for better air quality has endorsed the vice-presidential candidacy of Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, calling him a "Clean Air Champion" for pushing for legislation aimed at improving the environment.

The Coalition of Clean Air Advocates Philippines, along with their partners for environmental preservation and sustainability, recognized Escudero for his personal commitment to advocacies geared toward achieving better air quality and sustainable development for the Filipino people during a simple ceremony held Saturday at the Club Filipino in San Juan.

"A Clean Air Champion represents the hope and struggle of our countrymen for a much better quality of life, through enforcement of good governance that will eliminate the dreaded societal corruption that aggravates the clear and present danger of air pollution and environmental degradation of this great nation," the clean air advocates said in their citation to honor the veteran legislator.

Escudero, who currently the chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said he was humbled and grateful for the citation.

According to Escudero, he and his presidential running mate, Sen. Grace Poe, if elected into office, will ensure full and strict implementation of the Clean Air Act and establish an inter-agency coordination body that will stamp out the proliferation of fake certificates of compliance due to non-appearance of vehicle owners for emission testing, a scheme that is hurting efforts to improve the air quality.

The lack of enforcement of the law, particularly the provision on emission testing of vehicles, has contributed to poor air quality since 80 percent of air pollution comes from motor vehicle emissions, he said.

Escudero frowned at attempts by the government to equate pollution to progress.

"Hindi naman kailangan na kapalit ng kaunlaran ay masama sa ating kalikasan. Dapat pagpulutan natin ng aral ang mga bansang nauna sa industriyalisasyon nang hindi natin magawa ang mga pagkakamali nila," Escudero told clean air advocates.

News Latest News Feed