At his first State of the Nation Address on Mon, Jul 25, President Rodrigo Duterte warned business operators to comply with the government’s policies on the environment.
He directed the military and Department of Environment and Natural Resources to intensify its role against illegal logging and mining, and review all permits granted to mining, logging and other environmentally sensitive acts.
“This is to ensure compliance with environmental standards; and if warranted, amend, suspend or revoke permits,” he added.
He also defended the appointment of DENR Sec. Gina Lopez, whom he called a “crusader.”
“I wouldn’t appoint somebody who is alien to my thinking,” he said, and related how he ended up offering Lopez the position.
Apparently, Lopez, whose successful private-led projects include the reforestation of La Mesa Watershed Reservation and the rehabilitation of esteros in Metro Manila, had visited Duterte in Davao to lobby her environmental advocacies at 1am.
“Dalawang oras na ma’am, mukhang hindi na [siya] matapos…Sabi ko, ‘Ma’am, maga-alas kwatro na.’ Ano kaya kung ikaw na lang ang DENR?”
(“Two hours had passed and she still was not through with her presentation. So I said, ‘It’s almost four o’clock, ma’m. What if I just put you in charge of DENR?”)
The Philippines is currently the chairman of Climate Vulnerable Forum, which is composed of 50 countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Duterte was lauded by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities for saying climate change shall be “a top priority but upon a fair and equitable equation… and must not stymie our industrialization.”
“We are hopeful President Duterte will become a voice of leadership demanding greater, faster and more concerted global action to protect the vulnerable in the Philippines and other parts of the world,” says ICSC executive director Red Constantino.
Duterte addressed the issue regarding proper waste management. He says the final closure of Carmona Sanitary Landfill shall be pursued, same with the adoption of appropriate waste-to-energy facilities.
“The Laguna Lake shall be transformed into a vibrant economic zone showcasing ecotourism,” he said.
“The poor fishermen will have priority in its entitlement,” he added.
