His Excellency Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Honorable Governor Junie E. Cua
Quirino Province
Honorable Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr.
Iloilo Province
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen . . .
Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat (Good afternoon)!
It is my honor to participate, on behalf of the Embassy of Japan, in the formal launching of the Forestland Management Project today. Today's occasion highlights the efforts of our two nations to tackle the issue of climate change as well as to promo te green growth initiatives for the protection, preservation and enhancement of our environment.
Cooperation in the field of environmental protection, including forest land management, has long been one of the major pillars of the collaboration between our countries. This was highlighted again,w hen President Aquino visited Japan in September last year, by the signing of the Exchange of Notes for this Yen loan project funded by Japan's ODA.
Being close neighbors, Japan and the Philippines can assist each other by sharing experiences and lessons accumulated over the years to undertake various measures to protect the people from threats of climate change and to preserve greener environment for future generations.
Japan believes that it is extremely important for both developed and developing countries to pursue low-carbon approach in achieving sustainable and green growth. As part of its efforts to pursue low-carbon growth, the Government of Japan hosted the East Asia Low Carbon Growth Partnership Dialogue last month in Tokyo, with the participation of 18 countries from East Asia and a number of international organizations. We are pleased to see the participation from the Philippine Government, as well, represented by high officials of NEDA and DENR. In the Dialogue, aiming at building “Asian models” for low carbon growth, substantial discussion was conducted on 3pillars of cooperation, namely, the development of low carbon growth strategy, utilization of market & technology and enhancement of network to share knowledge and experience. The Dialogue this time was just a kick-off toward achieving low-carbon East-Asia, and Japan will continue to lead the efforts of EAS countries in this regard.
Tackling the climate change issue is an inevitable responsibility for all the countries in the world. As strategic partners and responsible members of the international community, I believe that Japan and the Philippines will also be able to strengthen cooperation in this pressing global issue. Japan believes that we can do that with the Philippines, as we are not strategic partners only in words, but also in deeds and concrete actions.
The project before us reaffirms the Government of Japan's continued commitment extending cooperation in achieving sustainable growth in the Philippines and consistent with the Philippine Development Plan's goal of conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the environmental resources. We are pleased that the Philippine Government through the DENR has been actively cooperat ing with us in achieving this goal. I sincerely hope that the DENR will continue its pivotal role as a pro-active advocate for environmentally - sound policies, and will also continue to ensure implementation of effective measures to this end.
I am confident that, under the participatory approach where all the stakeholders actively engage themselves, this project will produce a successful outcome safeguarding the pressing needs and long-term interests of the country and its people as well as enhancing the local people's quality of life.
Maraming Salamat at Mabuhay!
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines