A legislator on Monday expressed concern over what he described as the prolonged lack of strong environmental oversight in the Senate, following nearly nine years of leadership of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change under former Senator Cynthia Villar, whose family is engaged in large-scale real estate development.
Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos noted that this key committee is now chaired by her daughter, Senator Camille Villar, who has yet to convene a committee hearing since assuming office as senator last July.
The neophyte lawmaker pointed out that the National Land Use Act (NLUA), a long-standing reform vital to sustainable planning and climate resilience—remains unenacted despite decades of advocacy.
While the House of Representatives passed its version (HB 8162) in May 2023, the measure has not advanced at the Senate committee level.
In July, Santos urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the passage of the NLUA, a proposed measure that has remained stalled in Congress for decades. There have been different versions of the bill since 1994.
According to Santos, the country continues to experience worsening floods, massive deforestation, and heightened climate vulnerability—issues that fall squarely under the oversight responsibility of the Senate committee tasked with safeguarding the environment and protecting affected communities.
“For nine years, we should have seen stronger oversight, deeper investigations, and decisive policy action to prevent the environmental crises we are facing today,” Santos said. “But what happened were successive environmental threats, almost no accountability, and worsening conditions for nature and communities.”
During the previous committee chair’s tenure, critics and civil society groups raised concerns on several national issues, including the defunding of Project NOAH, the country’s primary climate-risk mapping initiative, and the continuation of the Dolomite Beach project despite expert warnings of its potential environmental impact.
Santos also highlighted the ongoing deforestation of the Sierra Madre, which continues due to mining, quarrying, and development pressures despite reforestation initiatives. He said the loss of forest cover increases flooding, landslides, and biodiversity threats—prompting repeated calls for stronger enforcement and protection.
He further pointed to the rapid expansion of real estate in the southern part of Metro Manila.
While these projects contribute to economic activity, Santos warned they also reduce natural water absorption areas, intensify flooding, displace vulnerable communities, and increase pollution. Cities like Pasay, Parañaque, and Las Piñas, he added, are already among the most flood-prone in the country.
Santos emphasized that many of these issues lacked full Senate investigations, long-term policy responses, or clear accountability outcomes.
“Nine years is a long time,” Santos said.
With Sen. Camille Villar now assuming the chairmanship of the same committee, Santos called on the new leadership to correct the failures of the past and demonstrate independence and transparency.
“This is a chance to break the cycle. I hope the new chair will prove to the Filipino people that the environment committee is meant to protect the people—not private interests,” he added. “Transparency, public hearings, and accountability must be the starting point.”
Santos said he will continue pushing for public oversight on flood control spending, watershed protection, and climate resilience measures affecting Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Bacoor, and the rest of Southern Metro Manila.
