Philippines: Legislator bats for land use plan in disaster risk reduction, management
Iloilo City - Better land use can ensure protection of life and property against onslaught of disasters, said Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, during his dialogue with media, government information officers, and the academe in this city.
Honasan, who was in Iloilo Jan 14, said that his first priority as legislator is putting in place the provisions of the law on land use as this focuses on human life, environment, and health.
“These issues are not only for now, but for the generations yet to come, for the children today who will become citizens tomorrow,” Honasan said.
He said that more than the issues on freedom of information, land use issues must first get people and structures where they should be, to avoid disasters.
“With effective land use plan, there will be no forced evacuations, no unnecessary damage to lives and properties,” Honasan also said.
“Then, we should get people to be educated on proper land use, to participate in planning,” the senator added.
He said that disaster risk reduction has no political color and it pays much for an official to invest in land use planning for long-term growth.
Honasan has for his personal advocacy the passage of the Land Use Act, as he has also championed laws like the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act, CARPER Law, Clean Air Act, and Solid Waste Management.
Further, he is presently faithfully shepherding the Freedom of Information Bill which has been renamed People’s Ownership of Government Information (POGI) bill.
Although POGI bill is only his second priority next to land use, he believes that the bill embodies the ideals he has fought for at EDSA I, and much more is consistent with “Daan na Matuwid’ thrust of the Aquino administration.
Honasan chairs the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and Agrarian Reform.
(JCM/ESS-PIA 6, Iloilo)