Senator Cynthia Villar underscored the significance of employing innovative approaches and collaborative efforts to safeguard the country's protected areas as well as enhance the well-being of communities.
"Through efficient collaboration and embracing new technologies, we can strengthen our ecosystems and communities, securing a better future for all," said Villar in a speech delivered on the 3rd National Protected Area Conference organized by the DENR–Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).
The event held in Quezon City has its theme - “Building Resilience of People and Ecosystems Through Innovations and Enhanced Collaboration in Protected Area Management."
Villar noted that before the enactment of the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992” or the NIPAS Act, they had multiple declared national parks whose protections were just on paper.
Thirteen ecologically important areas were established through individual legislation while the rest continued to be managed as initial components of the system.
"Through the years, the establishment of protected areas by legislative action under the NIPAS Act of 1992 became few ... due to exploitation and other profound impact of human activities and on all components of the natural environment," she said.
She also underscored the need to secure for the present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals
When she became Chairperson of the Senate Environment Committee in the 17th Congress, she worked on the passage of the "Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018 which included the legislation of 94 more protected areas.
In the 18th Congress, seven more PAs were legislated which brought to 114 the country’s total legislated PAs.
"In the 19th Congress, I am currently defending the legislation of 10 more PAs plus the bill seeking to expand the coverage area of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP), a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Furthermore, the senator also ensured the funding and availability of means for protected areas to be operated.