SEN. MARCOS PUSHES FOR “GREEN ECONOMY” IN PH

SEN. MARCOS PUSHES FOR “GREEN ECONOMY” IN PH

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. today vowed to support efforts to promote the use of environment-friendly materials and practices in Philippine business and industry.

Marcos, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works, made this commitment when he spoke before the Kalikasan GP3 (Green Productivity, Green Purchasing, Green Philippines) Conference and Expo 2015 at the SMX Convention Center in Taguig City.

“Business and ecology are not mutually exclusive. They can work hand in hand,” Marcos said.

He cited as example the windmills of Ilocos Norte, established during his stint as governor, which provided a renewable and clean source of energy for Ilocos Norte and other parts of Luzon.

Marcos urged the convenors of the conference to gather all their significant findings and observations and suggest to Congress adjustments to existing laws and institutions to further promote a “green economy”.

“Rest assured, you will always find in this representation an ally and champion in the Senate, in pursuing the needed legislative actions to fine-tune and complement the mechanisms and programs you work so hard to install, implement and enforce,” Marcos said.

As part of his pro-environment advocacy, Marcos has filed Senate Bill 410 or the “Philippine Green Building Act”, meant to help mitigate the effects of climate change and global warming by creating green building standards and rating systems, backed with incentives to encourage compliance.

While the Senate has begun discussions on the bill, Marcos lamented that the matter has not gained enough traction in the House of Representatives. Still, Marcos said he is hopeful that a green building law could be enacted in the near future if eco-warriors would lobby for it in the Lower House.

Fortunately, Marcos said the Department of Public Works and Highways has come up with a Green Building Code.

Likewise, Marcos noted that the Department of Trade and Industry has started to provide incentives for manufacturers of environment-friendly products.

 Marcos expressed hopes that the public will realize the importance of green building regulations and practices, especially when they see that it could generate jobs and spur economic development.

“Our greening efforts continue to be a work in progress. With your consistent contribution, all our efforts would soon evolve to a logical, effective and workable national mechanism that ultimately benefits both our people and our ecology,” Marcos said.

The 2015 GP3 conference and expo is spearheaded by Presidential Adviser on Environmental Protection, Secretary Nereus Acosta, Jr. It focuses on the following themes: “The New Green Revolution: Climate Smart Businesses and Eco-Conscious Consumers”. /MP