Marcos: Pinoys now more aware of importance of natural biodiversity preservation

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed belief that Filipinos are now more aware of the importance of the preservation of the country's natural resources.

This as Marcos graced the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Philippine Forestry Service's 160th anniversary in which the President also planted a molave seedling.

In his speech, Marcos said the Philippines should be conscious of the importance of the environment and the biodiversity.

"I must say that I think that Filipinos in general are more aware about the importance of preserving our natural resources, about preserving our forest, about preserving our biodiversity," Marcos said.

"And the benefits that will come, not only to our effort to be part of the solution to the effects of climate change, but also because Filipinos are the most vulnerable to climate change that we have," he added.

Marcos emphasized that the protection and rehabilitation of biodiversity within and around the country's shores would be "immensely influential in shaping our destiny as a nation."

"This administration is committed in ensuring environmental integrity and sustainability for the benefit of our present and future generations," Marcos said.

"I continue to call on the DENR, other agencies, the private sector, and even the public to work together in protecting, preserving, and managing our limited resources," he added.

Marcos further challenged the public "to carry a deep sense of pride and ownership of the lands that will continue to nurture and feed our nation for generations to come."

"The world that we have today and that we face is a very different world from what we came into. And the importance of the environment, the importance of biodiversity has become clearer and clearer," he said.

"We have had many warnings over decades by scientists and saying that unless we change our habits, unless we change our lack of sensitivity to our environment, there will be global warming, there will be climate change," he added.

Meanwhile, the President also recognized the declaration of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., that every 5th day of June was celebrated as World Environment Day in the Philippines.

"Having observations like these are critical in nurturing a deeper consciousness amongst our people in preserving the environment, as well as in addressing the problems caused by climate change and the centuries of mismanaged resources," Marcos said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News