Reelectionist Senator Sonny Angara urged Filipinos to make a conscious effort to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle as the Philippines joins the rest of the world in celebrating Earth Day on April 22.

Angara said the annual event to spread awareness about the environment does not have to be limited to one single day, believing that “Earth Day must be observed every day of the year.”

“Raising awareness about the importance of protecting the only planet we have and the need to take action should be more than an annual activity,” said the lawmaker, who is running under the platform “Alagang Angara.”

He added: “It doesn’t need to end after April 22. It should continue every day and become a regular part of our lifestyle.”

With a few easy lifestyle changes, Angara said people can help save the planet for future generations.

“We can start by eliminating the need for plastic bags and other single-use plastic products that end up in landfills or polluting our rivers and oceans,” he said.

Angara said it is high time to think positively about reducing plastics and take effective action to tackle plastic pollution, which has devastating effects on the environment and marine life.

As early as 2010 when he was still representative of the lone district of Aurora province in Congress, Angara pushed for legislative measures seeking to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags, promote the use of reusable bags, and establish at-store retrieval and recycling mechanism for plastic bags.

Apart from avoiding utilizing single-use plastic products, Angara said the public could help make the planet a little greener by using energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, conserving water, taking public transport and carpooling to work, among others.

“Let us celebrate Earth Day today and every day by making a conscious effort to live simply, reduce our impact and educate others to do the same,” Angara said.

More than one billion people in over 190 countries are expected to take part in the celebration of the 49th anniversary of Earth Day, making it the largest civic observance in the world. This year’s theme is “Protect Our Species.” #