SENATORIAL candidate Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday urged members of Rotary Clubs to include activities protecting the environment in their community projects.
Zubiri said the group can promote recycling in urban areas and conduct tree-growing activities in rural communities.
The former senator was one of the guest speakers in the three-day convention of Rotary District 3860 at the Cebu International Convention Center.
Zubiri lamented that the protection of environment remains a low priority among Filipinos.
Priorities
He cited a survey where the environment placed ninth among the priorities of Filipinos. Livelihood, food security and education topped the list.
"In my campaigns, I veer away from talking about the environment. As much as I want to push for the advocacy closest to my heart, it's not romantic to the people," he said.
Zubiri, who is running for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance, worked for the passage of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and the Biofuels Act of 2006.
Several laws protecting the environment have been passed in the country, but these are not being implemented well, he said.
Despite the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1999, which was hailed as one of the most rigid clean air legislations in the world, air pollution in the country, especially in Metro Manila, is worsening.
Pollution
Water pollution is also alarming, as the country spends P6.7 billion every year for water-borne diseases, Zubiri said.
He also stressed the importance of preserving coral reefs. Only five percent of the country's corals, he pointed out, are considered pristine.
Recently, a US Navy ship ran aground in the Tubbataha Reef, damaging a vast expanse of corals.
In 2011, Zubiri founded the Eco-warriors Philippines, a group that aims to raise awareness about the need to protect the environment and encourages people to take action against violations of environmental laws.
Zubiri was elected senator in 2007 but resigned from the post in 2011 amid allegations of electoral fraud against him.
About 700 Rotarians from Visayas and Mindanao are attending the convention, which will end today.
Before going to the convention, Zubiri attended the inauguration of a pediatric ward in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
Apart from him, yesterday's guest speakers included Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, who talked about the need to build partnerships to achieve peace; and TV host and World Vision ambassador Marc Nelson.