Statement of Sen. Cynthia Villar on the Senate ratification of the Paris climate agreement

The Senate ratification of the Paris Agreement is a victory for the agriculture, the sector most affected by climate change.

The Philippines as an agricultural country, loses billions worth of crops and farming facilities from the onslaught of typhoons, which have become stronger and more frequent in our time. Prolonged dry spells have also wreak havoc to the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolks, further worsening the condition of our country's poorest.

By joining the global action to cut carbon emissions, we will be able to address agricultural woes which continue to hurt our farmers' productivity and our food security goals.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, I commit to support measures that will strengthen our country's ability to mitigate the effects of climate change to vulnerable sectors, including the passage of the bill giving insurance protection to farmers.