Bets’ environment stance unclear – group

MANILA, Philippines – Most candidates for national positions have yet to make a clear stand on pressing environmental issues, environmentalists said yesterday.

Green Convergence president Angelina Galang said many of the candidates have not stated their position on problems affecting the environment.

“We’re still studying the candidates. Vice President (Jejomar) Binay came out with support for mining. That won’t sit well with environmentalists,” Galang said during a news conference at the SMX Convention Center where an environment summit was being held.

Binay is seeking the presidency under the United Nationalist Alliance.

Galang said the group had clashed with Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas, former interior and local government secretary, over issues concerning the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

“We were against it because it was very lopsided, but he pushed through with it. The effects, however, are still subject of a research,” she said.

JPEPA is an economic partnership agreement concerning bilateral investment and free trade agreement between Japan and the Philippines. It was signed in Helsinki, Finland on Sept. 9, 2006.

Secretary Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said he is rooting for Roxas.

“We belong to the same Cabinet, and I’ve heard him speak his position on the environment,” he said.

Paje said Roxas vowed to continue the National Greening Program and the total log ban would remain in effect.

He said he has not heard the position of other candidates on environmental issues.