Everyday is Earth Day - Team PNoy bets

CEBU, Philippines - As the world celebrates Earth Day today, environmental advocates of the Team PNoy urged everyone to celebrate the event not just today but everyday.

“We have to care and protect our environment. We have to repay Mother Earth for providing us all the necessary materials we need to survive,” said former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.

Villar said that “caring and loving” for our environment should not only be done during the Earth Day celebration.

“Everyday of our lives, we should all strive to protect Mother Earth,” said Villar, whose foundation, the Villar Foundation, has been awarded for planting millions of trees over the years.

Senator and re-electionist senator Loren Legarda said that it is not only the responsibility of government and concerned organizations to come up with policies and action plans in the fight against climate change and global warming, as individuals also have an equal obligation to protect Mother Earth.

Legarda said people complain about the particularly hot weather this summer and of drought in certain provinces, yet also of the frequent flooding and destructive typhoons in the rainy season but may have never asked why.

Villar also noted that taking care of our environment will save us from disasters and calamities, as calamities like flooding can make a person poorer especially if properties are destroyed.

Villar added that the public can help protect the environment by not throwing our garbage into the sea, rivers, and creeks.

“If we resort to indiscriminate throwing of garbage, these wastes will return to us during floods,” said Villar in a statement.

Villar and Legarda, who are consistently included in the Top 12 in  surveys, recently visited Cebu.

Legarda added that it is long overdue for people to finally face the issue and collectively do their share in preventing further deterioration of the environment.

“Climate change is no longer a remote and complex issue. It is here and its effects are real. Let everyday be ‘Earth Day.’ Let’s not limit ourselves to celebrating it once or twice a year, during Earth Day and World Environment Day. We should live it because our survival depends on it. Our love for Mother Earth reflects our love for life, for our children and our families,” Legarda said in a statement.—/JPM (FREEMAN)