Time is running out for the environment

People sick of the foul air they breathe applauded when the Clean Air Act was signed into law last year. Lawmakers allotted P100 million out of this year's P629-billion appro-priation for implementing the new law, but the budget is part of unprogrammed expenditures. Des-pite the new law's passage, you hardly see anyone going after smoke belchers. And public transport operators are threatening to raise fares to offset the cost of installing anti-pollution devices. Oh well, at least leaded gasoline will be phased out this year.

As most Filipinos know, it's a long way from the passage of a law to its implementation. It's also a long way from the filing of a bill to its approval, even if the measure has an objective as benign as environmental protection. Yesterday, the House of Representatives prodded the Senate to pass several environment-related measures before lawmakers become too preoccupied with their political plans for 2001. The House has approved three bills that seek to protect the country's forests, coastal environment and mangroves.

Measures to protect the environment often face strong opposition from those with personal interests to protect. It took time before the Clean Air Act finally became law, and there is reason for congressional leaders to be concerned that other pending bills on environmental protection may not be passed before the legislature adjourns next year. A new Congress will then have to go over the measures once again.

Meanwhile, the country's forests continue to disappear rapidly due to illegal logging, slash-and-burn farming and indiscriminate development. Coastal areas and natural habitats of marine life continue to deteriorate. While other countries are rushing to protect their natural resources, we waste our time on debates, lobbying and politicking. Those laws on environmental protection must be passed soon. Time is running out, not only for deliberating on the measures, but for saving what's left of the country's resources.