EdAngara.com - The Official Website of Senator Edgardo J. Angara

Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on the government to embark on “an overall greening” or cleanup of the country to reduce the high levels of pollution and to meet the challenges of urbanization and overconsumption of resources and energy.

Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, said this movement can be initiated through the creation of comprehensive environmental laws that will promote eco-efficient construction and environmentally sound technology (EST).

As power rates continue to soar, Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on the government to invest in so-called “green technology” through the use of renewable energy (RE) resources to spare Filipino consumers from high electricity rates and perennial power rate hikes.

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) recently announced that it will increase its electricity rates this month due to an increase in generation cost last month. Last month’s electricity rates were also higher than the previous month’s.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara expressed alarm over the results of the World Risk Index of the 2012 World Disasters Report, which ranked the Philippines third out of 173 countries in terms of susceptibility to disasters – next to small island nations Vanuatu and Tonga.

Angara, Chair of Senate Committee on Science and Technology, warned that the Philippines could suffer dire consequences if it does not adopt radical approaches to disaster risk reduction, mitigation and adaptation.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged government to immediately adopt mitigating measures to cushion the ill effects of El Niño phenomenon, which is likely to develop around October to December this year.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA), the last quarter of 2012 might be prone to the El Niño phenomenon. The agency further warned that if this phenomenon continues without any strong policies in place, Filipino rice farmers will likely suffer because of its possible adverse effects on the country's rice production.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged state universities and colleges (SUC's) to help promote responsible mining practices through an intensive public information program as Malacanang prepares an Executive Order defining the administration's mining policy.

“Mindanao is known to have an inexhaustible wealth of natural minerals. Unfortunately, harmful mining activities that employ crude practices will not only deplete the country’s rich mineral resources, but can also diminish development prospects,” Angara said in a radio interview.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara expressed a few concerns over the environment in the implementation of the Philippine-Australia Visiting Forces Agreement during a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held today.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on the government to prioritize the development of biotechnology in the Philippines in his keynote speech at the opening of the National Biotechnology Week (NBW) at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Diliman, Quezon City.

During his speech, Angara outlined the major programs and initiatives for economic development which he initiated as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture from 1999 to 2001.