DENR says implementation of reforestation, conservation projects to continue

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) denied yesterday that the agency has not implemented priority programs such as reforestation and other environment conservation projects, even as officials defended the planned procurement of new computers as an urgent task.

DENR Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Demetrio Ignacio said the implementation of reforestation projects has been continuous and a larger budget had been allocated for the planting of trees.

“For this year, some P1.3 billion is being used for the agency’s reforestation efforts while more than P500 million is being spent for land surveying. So that the P506-million computerization project of the department is not really a big amount,” said Ignacio, who also denied that P1 billion was allocated for the computerization project.

Ignacio clarified that they intend to procure only some 2,000 computers including accessories, contrary to allegations that DENR officials intend to purchase 50,000 computers.

He said the agency’s information technology program is not a new program and was, in fact, started last year.

“Eventually, we want to interconnect all our computers in all the agency’s field offices nationwide because at the end of the day, what we want from this IT development is to eliminate face-to-face transaction so people can apply for permit through the Internet and this, in effect, meant adoption of anti-corruption measures. Our computers here are already obsolete, meaning our system is becoming obsolete already. This is the reason why we wanted to purchase new computers.”

Ignacio said that aside from having the capability to do online transaction, part of the computerization project is the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in all offices of DENR so that the secretary could monitor what is happening in any field office in real time, “so it’s a deterrent to corruption.”

“We are seriously considering the suggestion of Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc to get the services of an independent IT consultant who will guide us as to what and how many computers to purchase. In this manner, there will be check and balance,” said Ignacio.

A group from the DENR led by Management Information Systems reportedly had a meeting with Bondoc last Monday when the officials clarified speculations on the computerization project of the agency.

The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) criticized the DENR for the computerization project and urged Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to withdraw the proposal seeking a P1-billion budget for the procurement of 50,000 computers, software and web cameras.

Pamalakaya chairman Fernando Hicap said that instead of pursuing the plan to buy computers, the DENR could use the proposed fund for mangrove reforestation and artificial coral reef formation that could be supervised by fisherfolk organizations and cooperatives.

The proposal to buy P1-billion worth of computers, web cameras and software was discovered during the public hearing on the national budget at the House of Representatives last week.