DBM releases P400 M to DENR for mangrove dev’t in risk areas

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released an initial P400 million to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cover mangrove planting activities and beach forest development in disaster-risk areas.

The amount represents 40 percent of the total P1 billion funding requirement of a program that aims to strengthen the country’s natural defenses against calamities.

The project will cover an estimated land area of 27,400 hectares (22,000 hectares of mangrove forests and 5,400 hectares of beach forests).

Among the priority sites of the project are areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda, those affected by siege and unrest in Zamboanga; areas damaged by earthquakes (Cebu and Bohol); and other areas damaged by Typhoon Pablo (Region 11 and 13).

Yolanda affected 171 cities and municipalities in the Visayas region including some parts of the Bicol region and Region 4B or Mimaropa.

Under this project, the National Government, along with stakeholders from both local government units (LGUs) and the private sector/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – will develop mangroves and beach forests in areas affected by Yolanda and other disasters that hit several regions in the country.

“All of our rehabilitation efforts will need to be grounded on ensuring the safety of communities against natural disasters in the future. That’s why comprehensive preparation and prevention are key elements in our policy of Build Back Better, which includes the replanting of mangrove and beach forests on our coastlines,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said.

For subsequent releases of the fund, the DENR has to submit requirements – including identified sites for target planting activities and actual seedling/planting activities (with geo-tagged photos) – to the DBM.

 “Our country’s natural resources not only shower us with abundant riches but also provide us with a natural defense against typhoons and storms. That’s why proper management of resources is part of the administration’s strategy in climate change mitigation to safeguard our countrymen against future calamities,” Abad said.

Under the 2015 General Appropriations Act, the National Government allotted a budget of P21.7 billion to implement its Build Back Better strategy that integrates a preventive approach with efforts that focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) and disaster risk reduction management actions and interventions.