Loren and the Caticlan airport expansion issue

Environment advocate and Senator Loren Legarda expressed alarm on the design of the developer of the Caticlan airport in Aklan, who intend to level the hill in the area to make way for an extension of the runway.
Legarda also asked the Arroyo administration to scrap the P2.5- billion airport expansion, saying “the environment should not be sacrificed in the name of progress and other economic gains.”
Legarda said a “micro-climatic change” due to leveling of the hill was very alarming as it will adversely impact on the forests, wetland and water quality.
“I am particularly concerned about the environmental disasters that our experts from Mines and Geosciences Bureau warn about if the Caticlan airport project pushes through,” the senator, who is running for vice president, pointed out.
Officials of the mines bureau earlier revealed that the disaster would lead to “micro-climatic change” or disappearance of the entire white beaches around Caticlan and Boracay reportedly within 20 years.
Dr. Ric Javelosa, a morphologist of the bureau, explained that the location of the Caticlan airport was not fit for upgrading due to high potentiality to local tsunami and highly subject to variable ground shaking.
On the climate change issue, Boracay island has excellent micro-climatic conditions which are responsible for the formation and replenishment of its world- renowned powdery white sand, Javelosa said.
But Aklan Rep. Joven Miraflores and director Edwin Trompeta, regional head of the Tourism Department of Tourism, insisted that their present priority was to chop off a portion of the hill so that the entire length of the runway could be fully used by airplanes landing and taking off in Caticlan.
The Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. is the main proponent of the P2.5- billion project of the Arroyo administration. Under the plan, the runway will be extended from 825 meters to 2.1 kilometers to meet the international airport standard and accommodate big aircraft. It is expected to be operational by June 2010.

The process was right to oppose the current plan for Caticlan. Not only will it ruin our tourist destination- Boracay but also it will put our environment into harm. Why do we have to make our environment suffer just to give ease to us, human. There are still other options than this, something that can be beneficial not only to us, people but also it won't but our environment in danger as well.

It seems like we, human have hungered too much for relief that we selfishly want to take everything provided by nature for us. Maybe, if we can't payback for Mother Earth at least we can somehow, prevent the deterioration of our environmental status.

If I am to be asked, I'll go with this urge and stop it. No matter how much comfort can it give me to travel Philippines, we already had enough for a change and enough for our demand.

Why her? Why Loren? Why not?

Of all politicians seeking higher office, I believe Loren Legarda is the most qualified and competent to run for Vice President. Below are some of the intelligent reasons to vote for Loren based on some of her accomplishments, speeches, website, blogs and several bills she has supported, resolutions signed and personal views.
I really gave time to research on all the candidates. I hope we will all make wise decisions on who to vote for on the 2010 election.

1.Focuses on her vision to confront the ‘deadly trio’: poor governance, vulnerable rural livelihoods and decline of ecosystem
2.Promotes pro-people agenda to empower the indigent
3.Prioritizes labor force, OFWs, urban poor and tribal communities
4.Provision of decent shelter to poor families
5.Advocates clean air and water
6.Pressed for free medicines for indigent and elderly
7.Quality education for the youth
8.Initiate the use of broadband technology to all schools
9.Insists skills training for out-school-youth
10.Supports the agriculture sector especially farmers and fishermen
11.Construction of more farm to market roads
12.Restore peace not only in Mindanao but the entire country
13.Promotion of Filipino heritage and culture
14.Combat climate change and global warming
15.Optimistic hands-on leader and consistent on her advocacies
16.Bearer of hope and serves beyond call of duty
17.Pro-cheaper medicine
18.Pro-choice but pro-life
19.Fight corruption
20.Invest in green technologies
21.Confronts deforestation
22.Protector of the environment
23.Backs higher salaries for teachers
24.Push for OFW Pension Fund Program
25.Pillar of broadcast journalism
26.Authored and co-authored 291 bills proposed 124 resolutions, a record for a non-lawyer
27.Named as one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow
28.1st Filipina environmentalist to receive the Global Award of the Priyadashni Academy for outstanding contributions to Environment and Afforestation
29.Completed her primary and secondary schooling with honors.
30.Obtained a degree in broadcast communication, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines.
31.Pursued further studies at the National Defense College of the Philippines and graduated at the top of her class
32.Reserve officer in the AFP with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
33.Only woman in history who has topped the Senate race twice
34.Voted by her peers as majority leader the first woman to occupy the prestigious post.
35.Authored and co-authored 291 bills and proposed 124 resolutions, an achievement for a non-lawyer
36.Thirteen of her bills were enacted into law, while 41 of her resolutions were adopted by the chamber.
37.Responsible for the passage of many laws of national significance, including the Clean Air Act, Climate Change Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act and Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act
38.Responsible for the increase in base pay and benefits of AFP officers and enlisted men
39.Sponsor the law declaring Eid Ul Fitre (an Islamic celebration marking the end of Ramadan) a national holiday
40.Bestowed the title of Bai alibi (Honorary Muslim Princess) by the Marawi Sultanate for her outstanding work for the cause of Muslims.
41.Recognized as one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow (GLTs) for the year 2000.
42.Awarded by the United Nationals Environmental Program (UNEP) for her significant contributions for the protection of the environment in 2001
43.Crusader for national unity and social justice
44.Earned praise for her tireless work as a peace broker and for her effort to bring warring factions to talk peace through formal negotiations.
45.Played a crucial role in the safe and expeditious release of military and police officers and men who were held captive by CPP-NPA
46.Known for her advocacies and civic undertakings in various fields
47.Founded Luntiang Pilipinas Foundation, which has planted over two million trees.
48.Organized the Libro ni Loren Foundation, providing textbooks, reading materials and scholarships to underprivileged children.
49.Founded the Bessie Legarda Memorial Foundation which helps indigent breast cancer victims.
50.Prodded the Arroyo administration and its allies to ditch the Charter-change scheme
51.Urge the government in strengthening the economy through a “fiscal-stimulus package” in the face of a global financial crisis
52.Challenged the members of the Supreme Court to rule wisely on the issue of charter change
53.Hail as Philippine’s anti-porn czar for shutting down the lewd website like boybastos.com and thepinoytube.com
54.Mother and married to the country
55.Belongs to a family of educators, physicians, public servants and journalists.
56.Defender of the rights of women and children, OFWs and labor
57.Advocates better health services, social justice and national unity
58.Espouse the value of nationalism and love of country.
59.Ever prepared with a six point “Pro-Poor, Pro-People, Pro-God” agenda
60. Abhors dishonesty, inequality and advocates transparency for the benefit of the Filipino people.

-If this isn't enough to prove she deserves to be a VP, then provide us something like this from your bets.:D