The Senate has approved the proposed P28.67-billion budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for 2017, which is 31% higher than last year’s.
“The budget increase mirrors the Duterte administration’s push for social justice where majority of the Filipino people truly benefit from the country’s natural resources,” said DENR secretary Gina Lopez after the Senate approved the budget.
Senate finance committee chair Sen. Loren Legarda spearheaded the defense for next year’s budget increase from the current budget of the agency which is P21.8 billion.
Despite the interpellation of natural resources panel chief Sen. Cynthia Villar, Legarda stressed that DENR programs for conservation, rehabilitation and protection of biodiversity should be considered for a great allotment of budget.
With this, she further explained that P3.37 billion is allotted for DENR’s two line bureaus: the Environmental Management Bureau with P2.2 billion for solid waste management, clean air and clean water projects; and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau with P1.15 billion to strengthen mining regulation services and geohazard assessment and mapping.
Also included is P1.59 billion allotment for the DENR’s attached agencies namely National Mapping Resource and Information Authority(NAMRIA) with P1.37 billion, P394 million of which will be used for the government’s unified mapping project.
Legarda continued that P129 million will go to the National Water Resource Boar to implement its two major projects: the Comprehensive Water Resources Assessment in Major River Basin and the Establishment of Monitoring Stations in Water Constrained Cities.
The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development would also receive a budget worth P92 million for the preservation of the island’s eco-tourist spots.
According to Lopez, the DENR would focus on responsible mining, forest protection, and biodiversity conservation for the next year.
