Ni NOEL ABUEL
Nanindigan si Senador Cynthia Villar sa kahalagahan ng innovative approaches at collaborative efforts para alagaan ang mga protected areas at palakasin ang mga komunidad.
“Through efficient collaboration and embracing new technologies, we can strengthen our ecosystems and communities, securing a better future for all,” ani Villar sa kanyang pananalita sa 3rd National Protected Area Conference na inorganisa ng DENR–Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).
Idinaos sa Quezon City ang event na may temang “Building Resilience of People and Ecosystems Through Innovations and Enhanced Collaboration in Protected Area Management.”
Bago naisabatas ang National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992” o ang NIPAS Act, maraming idineklarang national parks na nasa papel lamang ang proteksyon.
Ipinatayo ang may 13 ecologically important areas sa pamamagitan ng individual legislations samantalang ang iba ay patuloy na pinangangasiwaan ng “initial components of the system”.
“Through the years, the establishment of protected areas by legislative action under the NIPAS Act of 1992 became few … due to exploitation and other profound impact of human activities and on all components of the natural environment,” sabi pa ni Villar.
Binigyan diin nito na kailangang siguruhin ng present at future generations ang “perpetual existence”ng lahat ng mga native na halaman at mga hayop.
Nang maging chairperson ng Senate Environment Committee noong 17th Congress, isinulong ni Villar ang pagsasabatas ng “Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018 kabilang ang legislation ng 94 protected areas.
Sa 18th Congress, may pitong pang PAs ang naisabatas na kung kaya’t meron nang 114 total legislated PAs sa bansa.
“In the 19th Congress, I am currently defending the legislation of 10 more PAs plus the bill seeking to expand the coverage area of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP), a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention,” sa pahayag ni Villar.
Tiniyak din ng senador ang sapat na pondo para sa maprotektahan at maging maayos ang lahat ng protected areas sa bansa.
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