[Philippines] GMA stresses need to protect environment

from The Manila Times

President Arroyo recently celebrated Earth Day by underscoring the need for environmental protection in the fight against poverty.

In her message during Earth Day celebrations of the Restoration and Development of Natural Resources Inc. (RDNRI) in Malacañang, the President said environmental protection is one of the weapons against poverty and that the business and private sectors have pivotal roles in both conservation and poverty alleviation.

The President explained that among her administration’s contributions to environmental protection are the Clean Water Act, the Solid-Waste Management Act and the Clean Air Act.

She added that the government is continuing its pro-poor agenda to provide all barangays in the country with potable water, to protect watersheds and to reforest denuded areas.

Programs on environmental protection

Mrs. Arroyo said the government could start programs on environmental protection, but the business and private sectors have the expertise to carry out such programs. She cited the industrial reforestation in Bukidnon by the Philippine Forest Corp., and the recycling centers organized by nongovernment organizations to provide livelihood for the urban poor.

“But solid waste should not get into our water reserves, so we have to protect our watersheds,” the President said.

The President also praised RDNRI for its recycling waste movement, saying “recycling is proof that we can win the fight against poverty by protecting our environment.”

Narda Camacho, president of RDNRI, said her group, comprising mostly poor families and youth, was able to collect 280 tons of recyclable solid waste from Metro Manila.

RDNRI’s movement has been praised by the United Nations and has become a model for other recycling projects.

Camacho said manufacturing companies such as Unilever Philippines buy recyclable waste to lower their expenses for imported materials such as paper, plastics and steel.