An amount of P181.9-billion is allocated for programs aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and curb environmental risks under the proposed 2021 budget.
In his budget message, President Rodrigo Duterte recognized that the pandemic has ‘opened our eyes’ to the importance of protecting and conserving the country’s natural resources.
“The COVID-19 pandemic impacted not only our economy and our people but also our environment. This experience has opened our eyes to the reality that everything has its limit,” the president said.
“Some P181.9 billion of programs and projects under this budget have been tagged as climate-change related expenditures, identifying adaptation and mitigation measures for climate change,” he added.
The administration has allocated P26.5 billion for the environment department, which will implement the Forest Protection Program (P0.8 billion) and National Greening Program (P5.2 billion).
P0.7 billion was set aside for the Protected Areas Development and Management Program, which aims to protect and conserve key biodiversity and protected areas.
Duterte said a total of P2.1 billion has been set aside for the energy department, of which, some P500 million would support the sustainable Total Electrification Project. Some P133 million, meanwhile, has been allocated for the exploration, development, and use of renewable energy resources and technologies.
The proposed national budget also includes a P128-million budget for the National Water Resources Board, which will implement water security programs.
