WE ARE PROUD OF YOU! Cong. Edgar Chatto’s (upper right) speech is featured in the House of Representatives’ publication entitled, “In the Name of the People” (upper left). The book published Chatto’s privilege speech about building back a better world after the pandemic as shown in the Table of Contents (lower right). Chatto is the chair of the House Committee on Climate Change. Also shown in the lower left side of the photograph is the plenary of the Lower Chamber, where Chatto is a member representing Bohol’s first district. Contributed photo
A speech delivered by a Boholano solon is among the 53 Congressional speeches that sees print in a book entitled “In the Name of the People”, 18th Congress, Volume X.
The said book is published by the House of Representatives. It features select speeches delivered in plenary by members of the august body.
Out of the 53 select speeches, nine (9) speeches were delivered by former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and seven (7) speeches were from the representatives from Visayas region representatives.
Of the 7 speeches from the representatives of the Visayas region, two (2) were from Region VII – the speeches of Cong. Chatto and the late Cong. Raul Del Mar of Cebu.
Chatto’s speech was delivered via the Zoom app on June 5, 2020, a report from the solon’s office said.
In his speech entitled, “Covid-19: Building Back Better”, Chatto said that as chairperson of the Committee on Climate Change, he was compelled to raise the issue of climate change in this whole pandemic scenario.
He stressed that if climate change issues are not addressed, he fears that we may face the same global devastation just like the impact of the Coronavirus disease (Covid) pandemic.
He emphasized that neither the virus nor greenhouse gases care much for borders nor populations, making both scourges global in impact.
Chatto maintained that a healthy planet means fewer diseases.
“As we provide policies for the new normal, this is the time to “Build Back Better.” We need to take on board the environmental signals and what they mean for our future and wellbeing. Innovate is the word. We need to re-think risks. As we embark on a new normal, I enjoin my colleagues to integrate policies that support the environment and climate change,” he underscored.
His office reports that before the end of 2020, Cong. Chatto actively worked for the approval of two landmark House Resolutions. The first measure is the House Resolution declaring a Climate Emergency in the country – the first national declaration of this kind. The second measure is the House Resolution urging the submission by the Philippines of its First Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).