Senator Legarda calls for strong action on PH environmental issues

Senator Loren Legarda urged government agencies, institutions, and communities to work together in addressing the country’s climate and energy challenges.

Legarda made the call as the Philippines marked Earth Month this April and Earth Day on Wednesday (April 22).

She cautioned that the ongoing global energy crisis—fueled by unstable fuel markets, supply limitations, and geopolitical tensions—is placing greater strain on households.

Rising electricity and transport costs, she said, are also pushing up the prices of food and other basic commodities.

“When the cost of energy rises, everything else follows, from what we eat to how we live. This is why protecting the environment is no longer separate from protecting our economy and people,” Legarda said.

The Earth Month theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlights the responsibility of all sectors in building a sustainable future.

Legarda stressed that the Philippines must address increasing energy costs and climate-related disasters through solutions that support both environmental protection and economic stability.

“Earth Month is about more than clean energy. It is our broader responsibility to protect ecosystems, safeguard communities, and ensure resilience in the face of environmental challenges. We need a whole-of-nation response,” Legarda said.

The four-term lawmaker also cited key environmental laws she has championed, including the Clean Air Act of 1999, Clean Water Act of 2004, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Climate Change Act of 2009, People’s Survival Fund Act of 2012, National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, and the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act. These measures, she noted, continue to shape the country’s approach to environmental risks and opportunities.

“We must protect the planet that sustains us. Clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment are rights that must be safeguarded for all Filipinos. Kapag nasisira ang ating kalikasan, ang unang naaapektuhan ay ang pamilyang Pilipino,” Legarda said.

“Every effort, whether in policy or in community action, must bring us closer to a Philippines that thrives in balance with nature. The crisis we face today is also an opportunity to build a future that is safer and more sustainable,” Legarda said.

Legarda also pointed to the country’s participation in initiatives such as Earth Hour as a demonstration of collective action, adding that Earth Month provides an opportunity to assess progress and renew commitments to sustainability.

She emphasized the value of nature-based solutions, including mangrove reforestation to protect coastal areas, watershed rehabilitation to secure water resources, and urban greening to mitigate heat and improve air quality.

According to her, these approaches show that working with nature remains one of the most effective ways to address both climate and energy challenges.

As the country observes Earth Month, Legarda reaffirmed her commitment to advancing policies that protect the environment, expand renewable energy, and strengthen climate resilience, while ensuring that communities remain central to sustainable development.