President Marcos Jr. yesterday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building the country’s resiliency and improving climate change adaptation and called for a more robust collaboration from all sectors in protecting the environment while pushing for the country’s development.
The President, at the opening of the 2022 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Multi-Stakeholders Forum in Manila yesterday, said the road towards building a green economy will be long and tough, and everyone must stay strong, accept that it is a fight that must be waged by all, and, more importantly “a battle that must be won.”
In a press conference on the sidelines of the same event, DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the agency is crafting a roadmap which will be the basis in the creation of an umbrella body that will manage all water-related issues of the country.
The President assured the government is undertaking initiatives that will “enable us to become smarter, more responsible, more sustainable in all that we do.”
Marcos said the effectiveness of a country’s campaign and success in protecting the environment and addressing climate change will not be immediately visible and only be tested during certain moments such as when a global crisis is averted or the impact of the calamities on people are lessened, if even prevented.
The President said he expects the three-day forum to provide the government and private partners a chance to actively collaborate in translating an integrated and multi-stakeholder Resiliency Framework into actions that will sustain the growth of the sector.
Meanwhile, Loyzaga cited the need for an apex body to craft the strategy for the security of water which she said intimately linked with energy and food security.
“…As you know there are local water utilities, then we have other bodies, there is NIA (National Irrigation Administration), MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System) and various agencies and bodies that have water related functions,” she said.
Loyzaga added: “There are so many demands for water supply and these demands need to be balanced. One example is Angat Dam, its multi-purpose and when the water level doesn’t make the required level, which of the uses should be prioritized and typically that’s both energy and agri and so, domestic supply in Metro Manila is affected.”
The DENR yesterday signed with the Department of Labor and Employment an agreement meant to generate “green jobs” or occupations that help in preserving or restoring the quality of the environment in the country.
These include jobs related to protection, planting, forestation, monitoring and upkeep of areas, among others. – With Jed Macapagal
