Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 6) – Three senatorial aspirants gave a glimpse of their plans to help the country recover from the pandemic and battle the climate crisis should they win a seat in the chamber.
Ex-senator Sonny Trillanes said one of his priority legislations would be to support the post-COVID-19 economic recovery program proposed by Vice President Leni Robredo, which he believes would generate jobs and stimulate the economy.
“It will be patterned similar to the stimulus packages right now (that are) being implemented by different countries, ” he told CNN Philippines in a senatorial forum on Sunday.
Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, a staunch environmental advocate, said she hopes to push for a “green” recovery program that would include locally-led climate change adaptation initiatives and a climate recovery budget.
The congresswoman said she also has a pending bill pushing for a natural accounting system which aims to study environmental costs in economic projects.
“Kasi kapag tayo’y kumukuha ng ating mga pangangailangan, sinusukat natin sa GDP (Gross Domestic Product) at GNP (Gross National Product) pero nakita na ba natin ang epekto nito sa hangin na ating linalanghap, at sa mga bundok na ating inuuka, at sa ating mga pinuputol na puno?” said Legarda in the same forum.
[Translation: When we take things that we need, we measure in terms of Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product but do we look at its effects in the air we breathe, the mountains we destroy, and the trees we cut down?]
Meanwhile, former Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro said in order to address the climate crisis, he will back a shift to renewable energy.
However, he said the transition to renewable energy should meet a few conditions: it should have backup systems for business continuity should the renewables fail; it should be implemented in a phased-in approach; and it should not follow first-world standards.
“Our country is made up of 7,000 islands with different conditions, therefore also the local governments should play a lead role,” said Teodoro.
He also mentioned that the bureaucratic capability to plan, foresee and work on hazards must be enhanced.
