UN Names Legarda Hero of Resilience

by Christopher Tigno

United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) has recognized Senator Loren Legarda as “Hero of Resilience”  last October 11.

Legarda is the only Filipino recognized by the UNISDR and one of the few who were bestowed the title ‘Hero of Resilience’ in celebration of the 2012 International Day for Disaster Reduction. The theme this year is Women and Girls: The [in] Visible Force of Resilience.

“I am thankful for this recognition as it gives importance to the work that we have been doing to make our country disaster-resilient and to help encourage other nations to do the same,” she said.

Legarda has previously authored numerous bills concerning environmental preservation and climate change awareness. Among these bills is the ‘Climate Change Act and the Philippines Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law,’ which have been cited by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom as “the best laws in the world”.

Legarda also authored the country’s landmark legislation for the environment, Clean Air Act and Solid Waste Management Act.

“This recognition also goes to all Filipinos who are on in the effort to help build their communities resilience against disasters, because all our initiatives, policies, and programs for the effective disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation will not be successful and effective if not implemented in the grassroots,” she stressed.

In order to spread awareness on climate change and risk reduction, Legarda spearheaded information and education campaigns, and conducted regional workshops. Moreover, her greenings program, ‘Luntiang Pilipinas’, has already planted two million trees in more than 500 hectares across the Philippines.

In 2001, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) conferred the title of UNEP Laureate and included her in the Global 500 Roll of Honor.

In 2008, the United Nations appointed her as its Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption for Asia and the Pacific.

Legarda’s inspiring leadership in the global campaign for good environmental governance was recognized in 2001 by the World Economic Forum held in Davos, which named her as one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow.