Solon calls for aggressive reforestation to avoid 'water world' scenario
At A Glance
- Rizal 4th district Rep. Fidel Nograles on Tuesday, Feb. 25, warned that the Philippines could turn into a "water world" unless the government launches aggressive reforestation efforts.
A lawmaker on Tuesday, Feb. 25, warned that the Philippines could turn into a "water world" unless the government launches aggressive reforestation efforts.
Rizal 4th district Rep. Fidel Nograles said the government has "to aggressively restore our forest cover" as "there is no going around this issue".
"And we should start now. Hindi maaaring maghintay pa tayo (We should not wait any longer)," the lawmaker said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier reported that only seven million of the country's 15 million hectares of forest lands still have forest cover.
In response to the depletion, DENR said it is planning to increase the country's cover to at least 10 million hectares under the National Greening Program.
“Climate change is the defining issue of our generation and generations to come, and it is of utmost importance that we all contribute towards our nation’s re-greening efforts," Nograles, an active advocate of reforestation, said.
"This is an issue that the government alone cannot solve," he added.