Release of P1-billion forest development fund sought

MANILA, Philippines - Non-government organization La Liga yesterday demanded the release of the impounded P1-billion budget for forest rehabilitation under the 2009 national budget while the government is still operating under a reenacted budget.

La Liga environment campaigner Jonathan Ronquillo said President Arroyo promised the funds during the 2008 State of the Nation Address (SONA) under the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP), which will be implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

“But until now, the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) has yet to download the fund to the DENR, the agency tasked to implement important climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, such as reforestation,” Ronquillo said in a statement.

He also said government agencies whose budgets for 2009 were impounded should demand the release of their funds. 

He said Malacañang might use the impounded funds to support administration candidates during the campaign period.

Ronquillo said Environment Secretary Eleazar Quinto should insist on the release of the forest development budget, which was intended to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

La Liga said that aside from the P1-billion forest rehabilitation budget, DBM is yet to release the P110-million budget for the conservation of national parks. Also withheld were P20 million each for the Pawikan Conservation Project and the Tamaraw Conservation Project.

CLEEP was expected to generate 111,536 short-term jobs through its sub programs Upland Development Program and the Bantay Gubat (Forest Watch) project.

Around 52,425 upland farmers were supposed to be hired as workers to plant seedlings and cash crops.