Topnotch Senator

Loren Legarda, as a public servant and journalist, has for the last 30 years, devoted her work to ensure that the future generations of Filipinos will live in enabling environments where our natural resources are used in ways that are sustainable and equitable; where social justice, human rights, peace and cultural diversity are priorities; and where opportunities for quality education and decent employment to all hard-working citizens free them from poverty.

As the only female senator who topped the Senate race twice and the only woman to become majority leader, Loren is chiefly responsible for the passage of the following laws, which she authored: the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (RA 9994); the Barangay Livelihood and Skills Training Act (RA 9509); the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (RA 9501); the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (RA 9262); the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710); the Anti-Child Labor Law (RA 9231); the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208); the Philippine Ear Research Institute Act (RA 9245); the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009 (RA 9709); the Food, Drugs, Cosmetics and Devices Administration (FDCDA) Act of 2009 (RA 9711); the Philippine Tropical Fabric Law (RA 9242); the Eid'ul Fitr Holiday Law (RA 9177); the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593); the Clean Air Act (RA 8749); the Environmental Awareness Education Act (RA 9512); the Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513); the Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003); and the Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729), among many vital pieces of legislation. Senator Legarda also co-sponsored the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121).

Now on her second term as senator, Loren chairs the Committee on Climate Change and the Oversight Committee on Climate Change; the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement; and the Committee on Cultural Communities.

Game-changer for Asia

Amid the increasing risks of a warming world and a changing climate emerges Senator Legarda, a woman development leader from the Philippines.

She is a game-changer for Asia with a compelling vision of a safer and greener world for all.

Senator Loren Legarda advocates for quality human living harmonious with nature by seeking the path for green growth and sustainable development for nations, and challenging world leaders to save our home planet and preserve humankind now.

Environmental Champion

As the Philippines' foremost advocate of green development, Senator Loren Legarda worked for the enactment of laws on environmental governance like the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, the Climate Change Act and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.

As the chair of the Climate Change Oversight Committee of the Senate, Loren ensures that climate change is addressed as a national priority and considered in policy making and development planning.

At her own initiative, Sen. Legarda has spearheaded an information and education campaign on climate change. She produced films that seek to explain the science of climate change, its impact on our everyday lives and how Filipinos can avert and adapt to the changing climate. These are "Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyu-drama Ukol sa Pagbabago ng Klima" (Rains in the Summer: A Documentary Drama on Climate Change), children's animation movie "Ligtas Likas", and most recently, "Buhos" (Downpour).

Sen. Legarda collaborated with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in the documentary "Now is the Time", which calls on leaders and decision-makers to strive for disaster-resilient development.

Through her greening program called Luntiang Pilipinas (Green Philippines), which has planted two million trees in more than 500 hectares across the Philippines, Sen. Legarda continues to enjoin the participation of stakeholders in pursuing this environmental advocacy.

Peacebuilder

Loren has also contributed to peace efforts. She played a crucial role in the safe and expeditious release of military and police officers and men who were held captive by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and journalists who were held captive in Sulu.

For her outstanding work for the cause of Muslims, Loren was bestowed the title of Bai a labi (Honorary Muslim Princess) by the Marawi Sultanate league.

Voice of the Indigenous Peoples

Fervently advocating for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and initiating efforts to liberate them from various forms of discrimination, Sen. Legarda has become the voice of Filipinos who continue to embrace their cultural roots and heritage.

Her love for tropical fabrics and native products, and her visits to indigenous communities in different parts of the country inspired Loren to initially set-up cultural exhibits that showcased the exceptional skills and world-class products of IPs, and in 2011, in her capacity as Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, successfully organized regional assemblies—in Baguio City for Luzon IPs, in Iloilo City for Visayas IPs, and in Tagum City, Davao del Norte for Mindanao IPs—and the First National Indigenous Cultural Summit that served as avenues for dialogue with local and national policy-makers as well as international institutions.

As a sign of gratitude for advancing IP concerns, the cultural communities of Mindanao adopted Sen. Legarda as "Bae Matumpis," which means "The one who takes care".

The Panay-Bukidnon from Visayas declared Sen. Legarda as a "daughter of Panay-Bukidnon" and gave her the name Cuyong Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan, which translates to "shining sun rising in power".

Women and Children's Rights Champion

Sen. Legarda places special interest in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of women, youth, and children. Her legislative efforts resulted in the passage of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act, Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Child Labor Law, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Apart from her professional work, Loren took it upon herself to personally help women and children who have become victims of unfortunate circumstances, like Joseph Boseto and Rodel Morcozo who were both child miners in Camarines Norte. Rodel would search for gold and handle mercury-based chemicals with bare hands, while Joseph used to dive up to thirty feet in a narrowly-dug hole filled with murky water, staying in this zero visibility pit for hours, with only a pair of goggles to protect his eyes, cotton balls to protect his ears from air pressure, and a tube connected to a compressor that generates unsafe air as his oxygen source.

Loren helped them escape from the dangerous world of mining by supporting their education—the same assistance she provided to Melinda de Vera, who once lived in a wooden cart and helped her mother sell candies in the streets of Paco, Manila.

Joseph, Rodel, and Melinda are only a few of the many individuals who were freed from child labor and were given the opportunity to secure their right to education with the support of Sen. Legarda. This opportunity, Loren continues to share with others through her foundations.

Passionate Advocate

Loren has instituted foundations that would focus on delivering positive results on her various advocacies. She established the Libro ni Loren Foundation, Inc. to help improve the literacy level in the country's poorest provinces. The foundation supports the education of indigent but deserving youth.

She also founded the Bessie Legarda Memorial Foundation, Inc. to provide medical assistance to indigent breast cancer victims and serve as support group to their families. Likewise, she organized the Livelihood Opportunities to Raise Entrepreneurship Nationwide (LOREN), which provides capital for women entrepreneurs.

Top Caliber Journalist

Prior to becoming a public official, Loren was well known as the award-winning anchor and producer of two of the Philippines' most popular and respected news programs. As her television career advanced, however, she found herself interested, more and more, in finding solutions to the problems she was reporting on.

As a journalist, Loren earned prestigious awards such as the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) from the Philippine Jaycees (1992), The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) Award (1993), and the Benigno Aquino Award for Journalism (1995) for her sterling record as a journalist for more than two decades, among more than 30 awards.

Passion for Excellence

Loren completed her primary and secondary schooling at the Assumption Convent with honors. She obtained a degree in broadcast communications and graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines. While working as a broadcast journalist, Loren pursued her post-graduate studies at the National Defense College of the Philippines where she obtained a degree in National Security Administration and graduated at the top of her class. Loren is a reserve officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Family of Public Servants

She was born to a family of newsmen, educators, physicians and public servants. Her paternal great grandfather Potenciano Cabrera was the first Mayor of San Pablo City, Laguna while her maternal great granduncle Vicente Gella was a Governor of Antique. Her grandfather, Jose P. Bautista, was a pillar of Philippine journalism.

Loren is the eldest and only girl in the family of three children of Antonio Cabrera Legarda and Bessie Gella Bautista.

At the World Stage