SENATE President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda prodded the Filipino youth to help preserve the country’s rich biodiversity.

“All of you are heroes. I applaud each and every one of you for the effort you have already put forward today. I am making an earnest call to action. You are here because of your concern, your desire to see change,” the senator said at the 2023 ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes Forum.

“I invite you to stand, express your dedication and passion, your refusal to accept that we are helpless, and your pledge to collaborate and move mountains. With pride and conviction, we must say to ourselves, we will not shirk the duty to protect our home and community,” Legarda said.

She emphasized the role of the youth in the conservation of the environment and keeping sustainable biodiversity, which are crucial in maintaining a well-balanced life, not only in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia.

To recognize the youth’s valuable contributions, the senator announced the launch of the Youth Biodiversity Heroes of the Philippines, which aims to highlight the activities of the youth as environmental champions.

“Heroes do not set out to undertake acts of heroism. They merely apply themselves to the world, to the problems their communities face, to the areas outside their comfort zone, and the unknown. They know success is not a certainty, but they know that even in failure, invaluable lessons emerge,” she said.