MANILA, October 3, 2012-In light of the heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Marce, Senator Loren Legarda today reminded local communities that they are the first line of defense against widespread flooding in Metro Manila, and urged the heightened implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
“Heavy rainfall does not need to result in the extreme inconveniences we experience today. Communities, made up of vigilant and proactive individuals, can and should implement the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 to collectively build the country’s resilience to the devastating effects of climate change,” she said.
Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and author of the said law, noted that the monsoon rains last August submerged 80% of Metro Manila in floodwater, leaving 92 dead and more than half a million Filipinos displaced, a disaster that should not happen again.
“No amount of infrastructure will be able to solve this problem if we do not comply with our environmental laws. What we need to do is to alter the mindset of our people, step by step, barangay by barangay. We need to have information campaigns to increase awareness about what each and every Filipino can do. Waste segregation facilities, cleanup drives, and recycling centers are easy to set up and maintain,” she explained.
The Senator, also the UN Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, added that the new People's Survival Fund (PSF) law has been passed, giving better access to resources for those who combat the effects of climate change, especially in the grassroots.
“Through the PSF, barangays and LGUs will be better equipped to bring into fruition climate change strategies, especially for flood prevention and mitigation, within the context of community-based realities,” she concluded.
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