Legarda calls for “Green Good Governance”, urges Implementation of Environmental Laws

February 2, 2015

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, today urged local government units (LGUs) to practice green good governance, through the implementation of environmental laws, particularly the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law or Republic Act No. 9003.

Legarda made the statement during the hearing of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, which discussed bills that seek to regulate the manufacture and use of plastic bags and promote biodegradable materials as an alternative for everyday use.

“Plastic material, more often than not, end up as litter filling up our landfills and clogging our waterways. Post-clean up operations in Metro Manila and other urban areas are made difficult by plastic bags which are routinely thrown away after only one use,” Legarda noted.
She added, “Given the many challenges we face due to environmental degradation and climate change, it is about time that we shift from a throw-away mentality and promote sustainable daily habits.”

“All of us play an important role in solid waste management. This can be done through simple activities and programs that involve the concepts of reducing, reusing and recycling, such as clean-up and recycling drives,” Legarda stressed.

“Green good governance is the key to the effective implementation of our environmental laws. Imagine if all LGUs implemented the Solid Waste Management Law, it would be cleaner, greener and bluer Philippines. I hope our leaders will have the political will to implement the law at full speed,” Legarda concluded.