DENR mangrove-beach forest plan gets P400-M seed fund

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released an initial P400 million to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for their Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Project (MBFDP) under the National Greening Program.

The amount, representing 40 percent of the total P1.0-billion funding requirement of the project as recommended by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC), will be charged against the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (RRP) under the FY 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

 Under this project, the National Government—with the participation of concerned 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 Typhoon Yolanda and other disasters that hit several regions in the country.

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said, “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.”

Among the priority sites of the project are: areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda; areas affected by siege and unrest (Zamboanga); areas damaged by earthquakes (Cebu and Bohol); and other areas damaged by Typhoon Pablo (Region 11 and 13). The estimated land area of 27,400 hectares covered by the project can be broken down to 22,000 hectares of mangrove forests and 5,400 hectares of beach forests.

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.

Abad said, “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.”

Under the FY 2015 GAA, the National Government allotted a budget of P21.7 billion to implement their 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. (DBM)