Loren bringing Senate experience, environmental advocacies to House

MANILA, Philippines – Outgoing senator Loren Legarda on Thursday said she will miss the Senate which has been like family to her and vowed to be as hardworking in pursuing key advocacies, including those pertaining to the environment when she assumes her post as Antique congresswoman in the House of Representatives.

“The people,” Legarda said at the Kapihan at the Senate forum on Thursday when asked what she will miss most once she leaves the upper chamber.

“It has been my family. The senate has been in my family,” she added.

She first entered the Senate in 1998, as the youngest senator to assume office at 38.

On June 30, she will complete her Senate stint and assume her new post at the House of Representatives as Antique congresswoman.

“I was the youngest senator in 1998, so it’s been my playground for 20 years,” she said.

“I grew up here. I learned, I stumbled, I failed, I rose again, I shared, I helped. I hope I’ve made a difference,” Legarda added.

Antique congresswoman

Legarda vowed to remain hardworking and disciplined at the  House of Representatives.

“Of course I changed, of course I grew, of course I evolved,” she said.

“But the hardworking, disciplined Loren, with work ethic and with advocacies that are varied, I’ll continue to do that and more,” the incoming congresswoman said.

With her new work, she said she will translate her national and global policies into local action.

“It’s a new face. It’s more local; perhaps, more direct to the people so it’s more challenging, equally challenging,” Legarda said.

“I will not forget my national and global advocacies but I will also translate my national and global policies into local action,” she added.

Eco warrior

Legarda said she will be more active in advocating for the climate.

“If we do not realize that reducing disaster risk of implementing climate adaptation measures, that budgeting for this is essential, then we will forever be vulnerable to all these natural hazards,” Legarda pointed out.

“In the next three years and beyond, I will perhaps be more active in the climate arena, because my home province of Antique is a very vulnerable province,” she added.  (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)