PILIPINAS PASOK BILANG ‘MARINE POLLUTERS’ SA MUNDO (Villar nadismaya)

HINIMOK ni Senator Cynthia A. Villar ang Philippine Navy na tumulong na matanggal ang Pilipinas sa hanay ng malalaking “marine polluters” sa buong mundo.

Dismayado si Villar, chairperson ng Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, na ang ating bansa ang isa sa pinakamalaking pinanggagalingan ng plastic waste na napupunta sa karagatan.

“I am really pleased that we gather here periodically to show our support for this wetland park- the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP), and in so doing, we are also raising awareness about the marine pollution in bodies of water and the need to find solutions in reducing these wastes, particularly plastic wastes,” pahayag ni Villar sa Philippine Navy.

Si Villar ang Guest Speaker ng Civil Military Operations Group – Philippine Navy (CMOG-PN) sa kanilang 12th founding anniversary noong February 10.

Bahagi ng anibersaryo ng CMOG-PN ang coastal clean-up drive sa Las Piñas – Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP).

“Together, let us put our hearts and exert efforts into this. We should help each other to achieve a better environment now and in the future for the next generation,” ayon pa sa senador.

Pinasalamatan ni Villar ang CMOG- PN sa pagpili sa LPPWP sa kanilang environmental advocacy.

“We are blessed that we have this unique haven where we could frolic with nature in the urban sprawl of Metro Manila,” pahayag pa ni Villar na nagsabi rin na ang LPPWP ay legislated protected area sa ilalim ng Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018 na kanyang inakda sa Senado.

Ipinagmalaki rin niya na idineklara ang LPPWP (dating LPPCHEA) na “Wetland of International Importance” sa ilalim ng International Convention for the Conservation of Wetlands o ang Ramsar Convention na niratipikan ng Philippine government.

Ang pito pang Ramsar sites sa bansa ay ang Olango Island Wildlife Sactuary sa Cebu, Naujan Lake National Park sa Oriental Mindoro, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary sa Agusan del Sur, Puerto Princesa Subteranean River National 2 Park sa Palawan, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park sa Sulu Sea, Negros Occidental Coastal Wetland Conservation Area, at Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetland.

Tinukoy din ni Villar na itinatampok ng 182-ektaryang LPPWP na ‘key biodiversity area’ ang dalawang isla, lagoons, ponds, salt marches, mudflats at 36-ektaryang mangrove forest na pinakamayamang mangrove forest sa Manila Bay na may 12 uri ng mangroves.

Mahalagang spawning ground ito ng mga isda sa Manila Bay, nursery, feeding at temporary shelter ng mga isda at wildlife.

“It also protects the communities of Las Pinas and Paranaque cities against flooding, storm surges and high tides aside from serving as sanctuary to around 90 species of endemic and native trees,” sabi pa ni Villar.

Dahil dito, patuloy na lumalaban si Villar sa lahat ng gawaing makasisira sa LPPWP, kabilang ang reclamation projects sa Manila Bay.