No need for new green laws, just implement the current ones

CEBU, Philippines - Independent senatorial candidate and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn said there is no need to create more environmental laws, but rather implement the ones already existing.

"Less than one percent of our environmental laws remain unimplemented. There is no need to make more laws on this. Let us not waste money in making more laws," said Hagedorn, whose city is the first Hall of Fame awardee for being the Cleanest and Greenest City in the Philippines.

Hagedorn, who was also awarded as the Most Outstanding Environmental Mayor, said in a press conference here that many of these laws were being implemented in his city.

To speed up local economy, Hagedorn said he uses environmental protection as the core driving force of his projects and programs.

Hagedorn said his advocacy for ecological development transformed Puerto Princesa into a flourishing city with a clean and healthy urban environment.

"If we want sustainable development we can concentrate on tourism and agriculture. Mining will bring a lot of money and employment but it is all temporary. If all the resources are exploited nothing is left, but real progress will come from the protection of the environment," Hagedorn said.

He is also batting for the amendment of Local Government Code of the Philippines specifically on the term limits of elected public officials.

"Three years in one term of a public official is too short. Maybe we can amend that to five years if we want long-term development," he added.

Hagedorn arrived in Cebu yesterday for a two-day campaign caravan in the province.

His legislative agenda includes rural development, increased government subsidy to farmers and fisherfolk, creation of post-harvest facilities all over the country and promotion of eco-tourism in every region, among others.   (FREEMAN)