Greenpeace ship makes first Asian stop in Puerto

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Campaigning for cleaner energy sources in addressing global warming, the Rainbow Warrior, the world-famous flagship of Greenpeace, an international environment protection advocate, arrived in the Philippines yesterday by making its first stop in this city in recognition of its well-earned reputation as the environmental capital of the country.

On hand to welcome the crew of Rainbow Warrior headed by Capt. Daniel Risotti were Mayor Edward Hagedorn and other city officials, members of local non-government organizations, and Greenpeace officers Von Hernandez, head of Greenpeace Southeast Asia; Red Constantino, regional energy campaigner, Francis de la Cruz, event coordinator; and Athena Ronquillo of Greenpeace International.

Hagedorn thanked Greenpeace for choosing Puerto Princesa to be its first stop in its Southeast Asian tour.

"The residents of this city are aware that what cause global warming and environmental degradation are illegal logging, indiscriminate and irresponsible mining and other destructive activities that decimate our forests; carbon dioxide emissions caused by factories, power plants and vehicles, and improper solid waste management," he said.

Hagedorn said Puerto Princesa City, the first Hall of Fame awardee in the annual search for the country’s cleanest and greenest local government units and the first LGU to receive the prestigious UN Global 500 Award, has been "forewarned and forearmed," instituting "measures that we know will help, in our own small way, prevent global warming."