Press Release
April 23, 2009

Villar Upholds Inter-Generational Responsibility
and Justice in Ecological Protection

Nacionalista Party President Senator Manny Villar, in order to draw the government's attention and serious action on ecological protection, is raising the right of Filipinos to a balanced ecology and the concept of inter-generational responsibility and intergenerational justice in his recently proposed Senate resolution (PSR) 979.

"At the rate the present generation is causing serious harm and damage to the environment and nature, there is a grave concern among the younger generation that will be only imbalanced ecology and depleted natural resources left for the future generations to come," said Villar.

According to the former Senate President, "We are just keeping in trust the country's natural resources for the future generations, who have the right to a balanced and healthy ecology. No less than the Supreme Court has upheld the concept of inter-generational responsibility and intergenerational justice."

PSR 979 urges the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to conduct a study on the present state of the Philippine rainforest, endangered species and biodiversity and come up with short- and long-term policy measures towards the achievement of the so-called inter-generational justice and responsibility in environmental protection.

Based on studies, the Philippines is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, possessing more than 12,000 different species of plants, 560 recognized bird species, 180 species of terrestrial mammals, 250 reptiles, 400 species of coral, and 1,000 different fishes. A good percentage of these species are also endemic to the country and are never found anywhere else in the world.

"Based on reports, over the past 30 years, over 500 marine protected areas or MPAs have been established in the country's municipal waters. But our marine resources are fast dwindling and as of about a year ago, a mere five percent of the coral reefs in the Philippines are in excellent condition. Time is really running out to save nature," cited Villar.

Villar cited in his resolution that the North Negros National Park is among the biodiversity hotspots of the country and rated as one of the top ten most important areas of forest in the world. Most of country's natural forest cover however is fast being denuded.

"It is disheartening that the foreigners and foreign organizations are the ones who appreciate the beauty of the diverse flora, fauna and other natural resource in the Philippines. They are the ones who show more concern as well as they spearhead environmental campaigns," added Villar.

News Latest News Feed