LEGAZPI CITY –- Opposition Sen. Loren Legarda has pledged to allocate P5 million from her Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) to Albay for a Climate Change research and livelihood project to be conducted by the Bicol University (BU) here.

Caption: CLIMATE CHANGE. Senator Loren Legarda pledges to help Albay Gov. Joey Salceda in his laudable climate change adaptation program, the first-ever environmental conservation aimed to combat or lessen the adverse effect of global warming. With them in photo are Albay Vice Gov. Brando Sael and Board Member Borja.

        The lady solon made this promise to Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda during a forum on Climate Change Adaptation and other environmental issues held last Jan. 11 at the People’s Hall of Albay Capitol.

        Asked during a press conference following the round-table discussion if she has plans to run for president in the 2010 polls, Legarda replied: “I’m ready to serve the people but in the next 24 months before 2010, I’ll first serve the people (as a senator) before I decide whether to run for president or not.”

        She said she has been going around the country to know the problems of the people like lack of food and livelihood and the problem of climate change.

        When asked what she could do to stop Lafayette Mining Corp. from polluting the sea in the island town of Rapu-rapu, Albay, Loren replied that she would file a resolution in the Senate calling for an on-site investigation on the alleged fishkill that has victimized the fisherfolks.

        “If Lafayette (the Australian mining firm) has really violated the Environmental Compliance Certificate (EDC), then it should be cancelled.” She added.

        At the same time, she revealed that she has authored a bill creating a National Commission on Climate Change which would replace the two task forces created through Executive Orders.

        “I intend to go nationwide and tell the people on what the province of Albay under Governor Salceda has done and what the BU has been doing to address the problems of climate change,” she said.

        When the problem of rampant cutting of coconut trees cropped up, Salceda said that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had already passed two resolutions against the wanton cutting of young coconut trees for coco-lumber.

        “I think it is in the best interests of the coconut farmers and the Albayanos in general to ask the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to implement a moratorium on the issuance of cutting permits,” Salceda said.

        Among the local anti-mining advocates who urged the closure of the mining operations of Lafayette were Legazpi Bishop Lucilo Quiambao, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, Engr. Virgilio Perdigon Jr. of Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance and Dr. Emelina Regis of Ateneo de Naga University.

        Other invited speakers included lawyer-environmentalist Antonio Obosa and Bebette Resurreccion of Asian Institute of Technology.