| PGMA's Soundbite during the 10th International Living Lakes Conference |
Taal Vista Hotel Level 3, Tagaytay City, Cavite (17 May 2005) |
| This beautiful lake is a
testament to the life-nurturing nature of Philippine beauty which we must sustain. The
partnership between the government and the people who live and work in and around our
lakes must achieve something very special: a clean environment; livelihood for thousands
of fishermen and women; and a vital supply of nourishing food, in this case of Lake Taal
and Lake Laguna, food for the people of Metro Manila. Sa pagkakapatiran ng pamahalaan at mamamayang namumuhay at naghahanapbuhay sa lawa at sa palibot nito, marapat magsilang ang katangi- tanging hangarin: kapaligirang dalisay; kabuhayan para sa libu-libung mangingisda; at para sa mga lawa ng Laguna at Taal, mahalagang pinagkukunan ng masustansiyang pagkain para sa Kamaynilaan. This should be the outcome of every project the government undertakes in behalf of the people: a partnership the people can trust that improves their lives, helps others and protects their environment. And in our government, I aim to bring such a model of accommodation and accomplishment to everything we do. Sa ating pamahalaan, hangad kong maglapat ng gayong huwaran ng pagkakasundo at pagsulong sa lahat ng ating pagsisikap. The people of the nation deserve a government as clean as the lakes we would like to have and as productive and hard working as the fishing men and women who play by the rules and want the best for their families. Marapat lamang magkaroon ang sambayanan ng pamahalaang kasinlinis ng mga lawang ninanais natin at kasing-yabong at sipag ng mga mangingisdang namumuhay nang ayon sa batas at naghahangad ng pinakamabuti para sa kanilang mga pamilya. We're a nation blessed with abundant natural resources. As stewards of these resources, it's our responsibility to ensure they're used in a responsible manner. Our lakes are important sources of food and water and we have an obligation to future generations to keep them clean and productive. Napakahalagang bukal ng inumin at kakanin ang ating mga lawa, at may pananagutan tayo sa mga darating na salinlahi na panatiliin silang dalisay at mabunga. Our national development agenda places high priority on preserving our environment. We can't progress as a nation if we neglect to protect our natural assets. Hindi tayo aangat bilang isang bayan kung pababayaan nating mawasak ang ating yamang likas. Our nation thanks those who have been working so diligently to make our living lakes program a success. Without your commitment and efforts our lakes will not be clean and productive. Your work benefits millions of people who rely on our lakes for both food and water and you deserve our thanks. I'm working to end poverty in our nation and we cannot succeed if we lose sight of the need to protect our environment. Development that abuses our natural resources is not responsible development. Managing our environment is key to sustainable development. Nasa pusod ng kaunlarang pangmatagalan ang wastong pamamahala ng kalikasan. I've insisted that our logging protect our environment and our livelihood. The same is true here today: a clean environment and job creation can and should coexist hand in hand. A clean environment is good for the economy and the overall spiritual health of the nation. Napakahalaga ang dalisay na kapaligiran sa pag-unlad ng ekonomiya at pag-angat ng kalooban ng sambayanan. I honor all of you in government and those who work among the people who are working together to help truly this nation turn around in a responsible, even inspirational way. You set an example for the nation which we can all be proud of. To everybody concerned with the living lakes, thank you, congratulations! And the people of the Philippines are happy for your involvement in our country. Thank you. |