MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has emphasized the need to “invest in nature” to ensure cost-effective solutions to the country’s environmental issues particularly in Boracay.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the pressing issues, especially water problems, in many parts of the country, could be addressed by investing in nature-based solutions.
“The government’s willingness to address the Boracay crisis is an acknowledgment that nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many water challenges. Nature can heal itself if abuses are mitigated before they become irreversible,” Cimatu said.
“Let us spend to grow more trees to make our forests lusher, and our watersheds more productive. Let us exert more effort to clean up our rivers, lakes, beaches and seas, and to safeguard our aquifers, and to keep them clean,” he added.
The DENR maintained that the government would not waver in its effort to protect and conserve the country’s water resources through continued implementation of vital environmental programs, including the National Greening Program (NGP), the government’s flagship reforestation program.
“The massive replanting will go far beyond creating new forests as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change, it will also create livelihood and reduce poverty, provide habitats for biodiversity, recharge watersheds, protect topsoil from erosion, and boost food security,” Cimatu said.
“This is also evident in the rehabilitation of Boracay, where we are restoring wetlands and addressing wastewater issues through an improved sewerage system for the whole island,” he added.
The DENR emphasized it is high time for the Philippines to invest in the so-called green infrastructure, an approach which protects and restores natural ecosystems that provide security to nearby communities.
“Countries high-
ly vulnerable to natural disasters, like the Philippines, need to invest more in green infrastructure as integrating green with grey or traditional infrastructure creates cost-effective, climate resilient communities,” Cimatu said.