Risa Hontiveros: “I will legislate for the environment if elected into the Senate.”

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On Earth Day 2016, senatorial aspirant Risa Hontiveros vowed to be a strong advocate for the environment if elected into the Senate.

She discussed the link between health and environment, stating that both go hand in hand and should be protected through durable policies. “Magkatuwang ang laban para sa kalikasan at ang laban para sa kalusugan. Malaking sanhi ng mga sakit ang madumi at magulong kapaligiran.”

She said that Lanao, with its rich natural resources, should be particularly protected. “We need to protect our diverse eco-system, and Lanao’s natural resources should be preserved for future generations.”

Hontiveros committed to take her fight for renewable energy and sustainable land use – two environmental advocacies close to her heart – to the Upper House. “Dagdagan pa natin ang percentage ng renewable energy sa fuel mix. Sa kabilang banda, tiyakin din natin na mabalanse natin ang pagtanim ng biofuel sa karapatang magtanim ng pagkain.”

“Super barangay health centers” for climate-vulnerable areas

She also emphasized the need for “super barangay health centers” in disaster-prone and climate-vulnerable coastal areas.

“Ang mga super barangay health centers ay ang nakalevel-up na barangay health clinics – super dahil ito ay may in-patient facilities, laboratory units, birthing room at physicians. Mahalaga na nga ito lalo na sa kanayunan kung saan napakalayo ng ospital, higit pa itong mahalaga sa mga areas na malapit sa kalamidad,” explains Hontiveros. “Kailangan hindi na tatawid ng dagat ang magdadala ng gamot at iba pang medical supplies para agaran ang tugon.”

Hontiveros said that a rural health strategy is necessary to address the specific needs of those in the countryside, and an important start is securing health infrastructure.

“Ang mahirap sa Maynila at ang mahirap sa probinsya, hindi pantay pag parehong tamaan ng sakit. Yung nanay na nasa maliit na isla, pag nagkakomplikasyon sa panganganak, kailangan tumawid dagat para makarating ng sentro. Sa bangka pa lang, namatay na.”

Hontiveros went further to illustrate the health facilities deficit. “Sa higit na 42,000 na barangay sa bansa, kalahati lang nito ang mga barangay health station, o mga 20,000. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay napakarami pang barangay ang walang agarang takbuhan para sa mga pangangailangang medikal ng mga residente.”

She said that super barangay health centers will also be culture-sensitive and ensure that the culture and religion of the patients are both respected.

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