DENR seeks 128.6-B budget to boost eco protection programs

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is seeking higher budget of 128.67 billion for 2017 to bankroll programs on environmental protection and the improvement of the lives of marginalized communities.

During the budget hearing at the House of Representatives, DENR Secretary Gina Lopez said a bigger budget will help the DENR fulfill its commitment to social justice through the implementation of environmental protection programs anchored on convergence and area development approach.

"Our main challenge is to raise the quality of life in communities that are the primary stakeholders and pursue measures that will optimize their growth potentials," Lopez said.

The DENR's proposed budget for 2017 is about 31 percent higher than its 121.8-billion allocation for this year.

Lopez said the budget increase "mirrors the Duterte administration's push for social justice to ensure that majority of the Filipino people truly benefit from the exploitation of the country's natural resources."

She said the DENR will be working closely with civil society groups, scientists, and social entrepreneurs to turn its programs and projects into income-generating enterprises for communities.

One of these is the National Greening Program (NGP), the government's flagship reforestation program, which Lopez is eyeing to turn into a tool to improve the lives of the poor.

NGP is a six-year massive forest rehabilitation program that aimed to cover 1.5 million hectares of degraded forestland with trees by the end of 2016.