DENR-7 increases allocation for Nat'l. Greening Program

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 is conducting a three-day regional reprogramming workshop for the proposed P725.217 million allocation for 2013 which is up by 28 percent from this year’s budget of P565.884 million.

Of the sum, personnel services (PS) gets a proposed budget of P171.520 million or 23.65 percent, maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) with P269.064 million 37.10 percent, and capital outlay (CO) with P196.232 million or 27.06 percent.

Wilfredo C. Lee, chief of the Planning and Management Division said that the 28 percent increase is attributed to the increase of budgetary allocation of the National Greening Program and cadastral survey.

DENR 7 Officer-in-Charge Diana R. Apistar said that DENR’s thrusts and priorities are consistent with President Aquino’s social contract with the Filipino people and supportive of the five priority agenda.

 “These are anti-corruption, transparent, accountable and participatory governance; poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable; rapid, inclusive and sustained economic growth; just and lasting peace and the rule of law; and integrity of the environment and climate change,” said Apistar in a statement.

  Apistar added that the reprogramming workshop, which started yesterday until September 14, is undertaken to conform to the policies and priority program thrusts of the DENR and the efficient, prudent and accountable utilization of budgetary resources.

With the priority agenda, Apistar said the DENR, in the performance of its mandate under a regime of good environmental governance, will continuously implement the seven-point major program of Secretary Ramon Paje in 2013.

The seven flagship programs are clean air; clean water; solid waste management; resource conservation, protection and productivity enhancement which includes NGP, land administration and management program, and water resources management; enhanced revenues from natural resources; climate change adaptation and mitigation; and good governance.  (FREEMAN)