Legarda calls for comprehensive legislative oversight and budget integration of women, peace, and security initiatives

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Senator Loren Legarda championed the call for integrating Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives into national policies and budget frameworks at the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City from October 28 to 30, 2024.

The event marks the upcoming 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 next year, which highlights women’s roles in peacebuilding and security. The Senator recalled that during last year’s Department of Foreign Affairs budget deliberations, she noticed that the request for initial seed capital for the ICWPS was listed merely as a side note and was not prioritized.

“Understanding its importance, I made it my own amendment to the national budget to ensure these remarkable women could come together,” Legarda shared.

This initiative by the four-term laid the groundwork for a whole-of-government commitment to host the conference in the Philippines.

“That is the mark of a woman when the woman looks into the details and sees the import of things which are essential. Don’t they say that what is essential is often invisible to the eye? Well, I saw it amidst their pile of unrequested requests, unasked for because there was no remaining budget,” Legarda said.

During the roundtable discussion with other parliamentarians, Legarda addressed a critical question: “How can parliamentarians better advocate for the adoption, review, and implementation of National Action Plans on WPS?”

Legarda identified two key responsibilities of the Philippine Senate. First, she emphasized the oversight role of Congress in ensuring laws are effectively funded and implemented, recognizing that many well-intentioned policies fall short in execution.

“Our role is not just policy-making but ensuring oversight on policies already enacted,” Legarda explained.

“While we have enacted so many laws in many decades, some of these laws are unfunded or underfunded or perhaps even not effectively and efficiently implemented. The oversight function of Congress, and in this respect, the Philippine Senate, is very important. The oversight function, the relevance of laws already enacted, the nuances of revising or amending it based on societal changes and global challenges, that's important.”

“Since 1998, I have seen laws with good intentions and funding, but why are people still poor, deprived, vulnerable and impoverished? Because the implementation is lacking. And this is not to cast aspersion on any administration or in any executive branch of government. It is just that we need to see the bigger and the minutest detail of the picture—in how we must pre-position goods, establish gender-responsive evacuation centers, ensure safe hospitals and schools, and in how women, peace, and security must be understood by every grade school child.”

Second, Legarda highlighted the power of legislative and budgetary influence, advocating for WPS to be mainstreamed across the national budget and emphasizing that WPS initiatives should extend beyond the traditional 5% Gender and Development (GAD) allocation.

“For two, three decades ago, we have had the GAD, where 5% must be spent. I think that needs to be updated. Why only 5%? WPS must be mainstreamed in the 5 trillion national budget, just as climate change, adaptation, mitigation and resilience, and disaster risk reduction must be mainstreamed in the whole national budget. So must Women, peace, and security are all cogs in a whole wheel that you cannot take out,” Legarda stressed.

“Yes, we need the policy. Yes, we perform oversight. Yes, we have the financing. But we must ensure that those who are implementing all the policies we do will implement it efficiently and effectively. We must have the tools to measure the impact if lives have improved well and by how many percent. It should not just be quantitative, but focused on the quality of life of Filipinos,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda’s support and participation in the ICWPS is a powerful reminder of the potential for policy-driven change in the lives of women and girls in communities. Her commitment to integrating WPS into national and legislative processes reflects her broader advocacy for peace, security, and inclusive governance, further establishing the Philippines as a global leader in advancing the WPS agenda.

Legarda: Mas Masusing Paghahanda at Mas Matibay na Disaster Risk Reduction sa mga Lokalidad Matapos ang Hagupit ni Bagyong Kristine

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Matapos ang matinding pinsala na dulot ng hagupit ni Bagyong Kristine, nanawagan si Senador Loren Legarda para sa mas malawak at mas komprehensibong paghahanda at aksyon mula sa mga lokal na pamahalaan pagdating sa disaster risk reduction and management (DRR). Binibigyang-diin ng Senador na mahalaga ang mga inisyatibang nakasentro sa komunidad upang protektahan ang buhay at ari-arian ng mga mamamayan at upang mapagtibay ang disaster-resilience ng bansa.

Sa isang panayam sa radyo, inihayag ni Legarda ang mahalagang papel ng mga lokal na ehekutibo, na kinabibilangan ng gobernador, alkalde, at punong barangay, sa pag-unawa sa banta ng sakuna at epekto ng climate change sa kanilang mga nasasakupang lugar. “Hindi lang dapat kilalanin ng mga lokal na lider ang mga banta na ito, kundi dapat ay pagyamanin pa nila edukasyon ang kanilang mga nasasakupan sa paksa ng disaster risk reduction upang mas maging maayos ang pagtutulungan sa panahon ng sakuna at mabawasan ang mga panganib na dulot nito,” ani Legarda. “Ang hagupit at pinsalang iniwan ni Bagyong Kristine ay isang paalala sa atin na dapat ay maging maagap, alerto, at alisto, hindi lamang ang mga opisyal, kundi ang mga mamamayan sa lokalidad.”

Kinilala rin ni Legarda ang mahalagang suporta ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno sa pagpapalakas ng kapasidad ng mga lokal na pamahalaan upang mabawasan ang mga panganib sa panahon ng sakuna at mainam na makatugon sa panahon ng kalamidad. Dagdag pa ng senador “ang mga ahensya tulad ng Climate Change Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, at Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development ay mahalaga upang masigurado na ang mga Local Climate Change Action Plans at Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans ay science-based, napapanahon, at may kakayahang tumugon sa epekto ng nagbabagong klima.”

Ipinahayag ni Legarda ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon at ang pakikipag ugnayan sa mga state universities and colleges bilang katuwang sa paggabay sa mga LGU sa risk assessment at local development planning. “Ang kanilang kaalaman ay importante para sa epektibong disaster risk reduction at climate change adaptation,” aniya.

Kilalang tagapagtaguyod ng disaster risk reduction, sinabi din ni Legarda na kahit na sapat at mainam ang mga batas sa Pilipinas ukol sa DRR at bagamat patuloy na pag-lago ng kaalaman tungkol sa mga climate change, mahalaga pa din ang pakikilahok ng lokal na komunidad at pagpapalakas ng kanilang mga kapasidad para sa epektibong pagtugon sa panahon ng mga sakuna. “Mula ngayong Nobyembre hanggang 2025, ako ay mangunguna sa mga workshop para sa mga local governments ukol sa disaster risk reduction at climate change mitigation and adaptation. Ito ay upang masigurado natin na handa ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na tumugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan lalu na sa mga pinakamalapit sa panganib tuwing may sakuna” ani Legarda

Bilang isang UNDRR Global Champion for Resilience, isinulong ni Legarda ang kahalagahan ng risk-informed development at disaster-resilient infrastructure, kasama na ang mas maagap na early warning and response systems. Hinihimok niya ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), at Office of Civil Defense (OCD) na palakasin ang hazard risk assessments, multi-hazard impact-based forecasting, at mga early warning systems. “Dapat malaman ng mga komunidad ang mga panganib ng pagbaha at landside upang makapagpatupad ng maagap na pag-iwas sa sakuna. Ang tamang forecasting, maagang babala, at mabilis na access sa mga pre-positioned resources, o yung mga naka abang na equipment, ay makakapagligtas ng buhay,” ayon kay Legarda.

Tinukoy din ni Legarda ang responsibilidad ng mga lokal na lider na magbigay ng mabilisang access sa pagkain, malinis na tubig, at mga evacuation areas. “Ipinapaabot namin ang aming taos-pusong pakikiramay sa mga nawalan ng mahal sa buhay. Ang aking team ay namamahagi din ng mga suplay sa mga apektadong pamilya mula nang magsimula ang bagyo,” dagdag niya.

Nanawagan ang senador para sa isang pangmatagalang estratehiya upang matugunan ang mga sektor na pinaka apektado ng kalamidad, lalo na sa mga hindi agad natutulungan na mga lugar. “Higit sa agarang tulong, dapat nating suportahan ang mga komunidad ng agrikultura at pangingisda sa kanilang muling pagbangon sa tulong ng mga pansamantalang alternatibong kabuhayan at mga social programs,” sabi ng senador.

Dagdag pa ni Legarda, kinakailangan ang pagpapataas ng kamalayan ng mga komunidad tungkol sa mga panganib ng landslide at flash flood. Lubos na mahalaga umano ng papel ng mga lokal na lider at ahensya ng gobyerno sa mga hakbangin na ito. Sa pamamagitan ng sama-samang pagsisikap, maaari din umano nating mabawasan ang mga panganib ng sakuna at maiwasan ang mga pinsalang dulot ng pagbabago ng klima.

Sa huli, sinabi ng senador na ang agarang pagkilos ay susi sa pagbuo ng mas ligtas at mas matatag na mga komunidad sa hinaharap. 

Legarda, DOT and Antique LGU launch documentary on Antique's marine treasures on Discovery Channel - "Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea"

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Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, a new documentary is produced by studio H20 through the Office of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda , The Department of Tourism in partnership with the Province of Antique.

The documentary, which captures the underwater beauty of the province, as well as the true heart of the Antiqueños, will air on Discovery Channel on March 23, 2022 (Wednesday), with replays on March 24, 2022

Antique, a province in Panay Island in Western Visayas in the Philippines, is often overlooked as a tourist destination because of its proximity to the more popular Boracay Island in Aklan. But Antiqueños believe this will soon change.

"Antique is a paradise where the mountains meet the sea. It is a province that may have been in the doldrums for three decades but is now experiencing (its) Golden Age," says Loren Legarda, Deputy Speaker and Representative of the Lone District of Antique.

Under Legarda’s vision of discovering, documenting and protecting Antique’s rich marine biodiversity, she allocated a budget under the Department of Tourism that was implemented by the local government of Antique and the DOT regional office.

In early 2021, Studio H2O organized an expedition team composed of marine researchers, scientists, and underwater cinematographers. Aside from conducting a scientific survey of the reefs in Antique, particularly around the coastal areas of Pandan Bay and Libertad, the project also held a freediving workshop for fisherfolks with the intention of teaching them how to survey, protect and do an inventory of their own marine areas.

"Part of the survey is to have the local people learn the method so they can continue on with the monitoring, or at least be interested in learning more about it," says Tara Abrina, one of the team's researchers and freediving instructors. "The objective of the project was really for tourism, to see where people can go to dive, where guests can stay, and what might be interesting underwater," she adds.

During the survey, a rare sighting of an oceanic manta ray, a creature known to visit nutrient-rich waters that provide zooplankton, surprised and excited the team. The oceanic manta ray is famous for its majestic form that could reach up to twenty-three feet across. For the researchers, the encounter was truly magical. But no one was more delighted than the staunch environmental champion herself. "The discovery and sighting of the existence of the manta ray in our waters is so important because it shows they thrive in a healthy marine ecosystem," says Deputy Speaker Legarda. "And the manta ray, of course, must be protected at all costs, especially because it is identified as possibly threatened for extinction," she further emphasizes.

Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

Deputy Speaker Legarda is aware that the oceanic manta ray sighting can draw in more visitors and open up more possibilities for ecotourism. That is why she believes that the tedious task of survey and documentation is crucial in educating the public about the all-important work of protecting the environment. Thus, her continued support for projects such as this remains steadfast. "How can we protect something we don't know exists and so documenting all of this-- taking photos and video without destroying their habitats—is very important."

Legarda authored several landmark environmental laws, as well as laws on marine protection and conservation such as Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, the Climate Change Act, Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System, National Environmental Awareness and Education Act, People’s Survival Fund Act, and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, among others. As Deputy Speaker and Representative of the Lone District of Antique, Legarda has also authored bills for the province’s marine protection such as the establishment of a multi-species marine hatchery in Tibiao and the Northern Antique Protected Seascape and Landscape.

Watch the journey of the Antique expedition team in Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, a new documentary produced by Studio H2O through the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda, the Department of Tourism in partnership with the Province of Antique. 

The 20-minute documentary, which captures the underwater beauty of the province, as well as the true heart of the Antiqueños, will air on Discovery Channel on March 23, 2022 (Wednesday) at 6:15 pm (Philippine standard time), with replays on March 24, 2022 at 8:15 am and 11:25 am (Philippine standard time). Discovery Channel airs in the following countries: Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and India.

Antique Rep. Loren Legarda leads Manila Bulletin-Tangere’s February senatorial survey

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Three-term Senator, Deputy Speaker, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda topped the latest Manila Bulletin-Tangere senatorial preference survey for the May 2022 elections.

Conducted from Feb. 25 to 27, 2022, with 2,400 respondents, the survey results showed Legarda with 51.92 percent of the voter preference.

Ranking 2nd and 3rd were former Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (46.04 percent) and Broadcaster Raffy Tulfo (46 percent).

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (45.58 percent), Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero (41.71 percent), Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (37.79 percent), and Senator Joel Villanueva (34.67 percent) ranked 4th to 7th.

Completing the top 12 were Senator Risa Hontiveros (30.13 percent), actor Robin Padilla (28.63 percent), Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (27.54 percent), former Senator Jinggoy Estrada (22.04 percent), and former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (20.83 percent).

The survey results showed former Vice President Jejomar Binay (20.79 percent) at 13th place.

At 14th to 16th places were former Senator JV Ejercito (20.29 percent), Senator Richard Gordon (18.83 percent), and former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista (18.08 percent).

The Manila Bulletin-Tangere survey was conducted among 2,400 mobile application users—552 in Northern and Central Luzon, 552 in Mindanao, 528 in Southern Luzon and Bicol, 480 in the Visayas, and 288 in the National Capital Region.

"Dayaw” continues to champion Filipino heritage and indegeneous culture with Season 11 at Abs-Cbn News Channel (ANC)

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"Dayaw," a documentary series feature different facets of our indigenous culture.

With Deputy Speaker Congresswoman Loren Legarda, rhe 1st virtual Dayaw press conference was held featuring our indigenous culture and heritage 

The mission to promote Filipino indigenous culture and heritage goes on for the award-winning documentary series “Dayaw” with the launch of its eleventh season on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, this August.

A production of ANC and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), “Dayaw” has been documenting the lifeways, traditions, practices, and culture of the different Indigenous Peoples groups since 2015.

Still leading the way for “Dayaw” on its eleventh season is its host, three-term senator, and now House deputy speaker and Antique congresswoman, Loren Legarda, who conceptualized the program.

“It has always been Dayaw's mission to document as many aspects of Filipino culture and knowledge systems as possible. We can only save these from extinction by continuing to instill their importance in the younger generation, and let them practice and learn these treasures. With the theme "Kakaibang Sigla,” Dayaw Season 11 allows us to look at the different ways in which our energy, competitiveness and sportsmanship are mainstreamed in the traditional societies and knowledge systems,” Loren said.

After featuring traditional Filipino children’s games such as patintero, sipa, and luksong tinik in the first episode, followed by a two-part special on the Punnuk, a show of physical strength that ends the Ifugao’s harvest season, “Dayaw” will then focus on Filipino martial arts such as arnis, silat, and eskrima in its next two episodes, starting on Thursday (August 26), 6pm on ANC and the ANC Facebook.

The season will wrap up on September 3 with “Sayawang Pinoy,” an episode highlighting how grace and fluidity of movements of Filipinos express our energy, discipline and joy as a people.

Despite the pandemic, “Dayaw” has been able to launch new seasons, with Season 12 already in the works. Titled "KAKA-IBANG SIGLA: Our Vital Energy Part 2," it will explore love, courtship, marriage, and the cycles of life featuring the Gaddang, Tboli, and Sama Dilaut.

“We are fortunate to have shot a treasure trove of material before the pandemic began. This has enabled us to go on with our mission of telling the stories of our indigenous peoples so that future generations may still be able to appreciate and continue their legacy,” said ANC chief operating officer Nadia Trinidad.

NCCA chair Arsenio "Nick" Lizaso expressed his gratitude to former Senator Legarda and ANC for their part in bringing our indigenous people's knowledge and heritage closer to Filipino and even foreign viewers.

“I would like to commend Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda for her vision and commitment to preserve, promote and enrich our culture and heritage, and to ANC for translating that vision into an exemplary body of work,” he said.

“Dayaw” Season 11 airs every Thursday at 6 pm on ANC on cable and the ANC Facebook page. 

For news, follow @ANCalerts on Facebook and Twitter or visit news.abs-cbn.com/anc online or via the ABS-CBN News App. Watch ANC online via iWantTFC. For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

Eid Al Adha Message of Three-term Senator, Deputy Speaker, Bai a labi #Loren Legarda

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As the whole nation celebrates the Eid'l Adha, I join our Muslim brothers and sisters in commemorating the Feast of the Sacrifice, Ibrahim’s willingness to obey Allah even to the extent of sacrificing his son.

May we appreciate this reminder and take this time to reflect on the lessons that this feast signifies – strong faith and the admirable act of being selfless, obedient and willing to surrender to the will of God.

Regardless of beliefs and religion, I encourage everyone to respect the sacred feast of our Muslim brethren and together, let us develop interfaith harmony and hope that genuine peace and lasting security not just in the Mindanao region, but the whole nation as well, will continue to be realized.

I wish to reiterate my full support for government efforts to further strengthen Christian-Muslim unity. Greater awareness of each other’s celebrations and traditions will help bring to the fore the significance of a healthy and constructive discussions among the different faiths in the Philippines.

I also wish to convey that as your Bai a' Labi and as a Representative of the people in Congress, I will continue to be your voice and push for measures and programs that seek to provide employment, quality education, accessible health care as well as initiatives to preserve and protect your culture and traditions.

Once again, may all our Muslim brothers and sisters have a meaningful and solemn celebration of this year’s Eid’l Adha.

Watch the full video here:

Eid al adha Mubarak.mp4

Independence Day Message of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda

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Independence Day Message of  three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda in the 123rd year celebration of the country’s independence, 

 

Mensahe ni Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda

Araw ng Kalayaan

June 12, 2021

Sa ika-isandaan at dalawampu’t tatlong pagdiriwang natin ng kalayaan bilang bansa, ang hangad natin ay makamtan din ng bawat Pilipino ang kalayaan sa kahirapan na siyang gumagapos sa marami nating kababayan.

Matagumpay man nating nabawi ang ating Kalayaan sa pang-aapi ng puwersang kolonyal, hindi natin maipagkakaila na may mga kapwa tayong Pilipino na patuloy na nagdurusa sa kahirapan na siyang pumipigil sa kanilang pag-unlad at pamumuhay nang maginhawa.

Ang isang tunay na malayang bansa ay isang bansa kung saan ang mga tao ay nakakapamuhay ng kontento at hindi nakakaranas ng pagdurusa, kung saan ang bawat isa ay nakaka-benepisyo sa pangunahing mga programa at serbisyong sosyo-ekonomiko, at kung saan kasamang umuunlad ng mga komunidad ang mga taong naniniharan dito.

Ang kasalukuyang pandemya at sunod-sunod na pananalasa ng mga sakuna ay naging dagdag-hamon sa bawat Pilipino. May mga kababayan tayong nawalan ng trabaho at kabuhayan na siyang tanging pinagkukunan ng kita para maitaguyod ang pangangailangan ng pamilya. May mga kababayan tayong halos isang beses sa isang araw nalamang kumakain at kung minsan nga ay wala ng makain dahil sa kawalan ng panggastos. May mga kabataang natigil sa pag-aaral dahil sa kawalan ng sapat na kagamitan para maipagpatuloy ito. May ibang namamatay na lang nang hindi man lang nakakapagpagamot.

Huwag na sana nating hayaang patuloy na magdusa ang ating mga kababayan. Huwag na nating hayaang madagdagan ang mga kumakalam na sikmura, mga pangarap na hindi naabot at ang bilang ng mga nasawi ng dahil sa hirap ng buhay. Isang hamon din sa pamahalaan na mabigyan ang mga mamamayan ng mas maraming oportunidad sa trabaho, pantay na pagkakataon upang magkaroon ng kalidad na edukasyon, serbisyong pangkalusugan, trabaho at pangkabuhayan, at ligtas na pamumuhay laban sa kalamidad bilang mahahalagang hakbang tungo sa matagumpay na pagsugpo sa kahirapan sa bansa.

Ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan, sama-sama nating ipaglaban din ang karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na magkaroon ng maayos at maginhawang buhay. Kasabay ng patuloy nating pakikipaglaban sa kasalukuyang pandemya, patuloy din nating isulong ang kalayaan ng bawat Pilipino sa kahirapan at bigyan sila ng pag-asang makamit ang buhay na kanilang inaasam.

Sa muli, isang Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan sa ating lahat.