The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has vowed to push for environmental protection and natural resource conservation as its top priority in the next six years.
The DENR is seeking P23.041 billion budget for 2023 and Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said this would support the agency’s directions and priorities toward resilient and sustainable development.
“Our work is from ridge to reef, and the DENR is cognizant of its role as protector of the natural systems that provide food, water, and energy needed by our people. As a result, water security, energy security, and food security are our priority,” Loyzaga said.
Another focus of the DENR, according to Loyzaga, is the adoption of “climate risk lens” in national planning and policies where a National Natural Resource Geospatial Database is expected to be established.
She added that the conservation of protected areas and biodiversity will also be pursued through the conservation of 248 protected areas, management of 400 inland wetlands, and protection of 864 classified caves for biodiversity conservation.
This also includes the management of 33 marine protected areas that is aimed at supporting fish productivity and biodiversity-friendly livelihood enterprises for coastal communities.
"The DENR will also prioritize the improvement of air and water quality and waste management. It will strengthen the management of 22 airsheds designated across the Philippines, including five geothermal airsheds, as well as the operation of 109 air quality monitoring stations," said Loyzaga.
"Around 40 water quality management areas will be made functional and 942 water bodies classified based on its beneficial use will also be pursued. On solid and hazardous waste management program, the DENR will provide assistance to local government units," she added.
Also included in the DENR’s priorities is the sustainable and responsible management of mineral resources where the 1:50,000 geologic maps generated from the geologic quadrangle mapping project will be used as basis for potential development of minerals, energy, and water resources.
In order to support the small-scale miners, Loyzaga has committed to strengthen its “Minahang Bayan” program and ensure benefits to the communities, while putting in place environmental safeguards.
She said the DENR will also continue reforestation efforts to protect the 7.2 million hectares of forest cover and is hopeful on further increasing the country’s forest cover as the Philippines saw a 5.65 percent increase within 2010-2020.
On its land management initiatives, Liyzaga said they will promote effective land management and governance, and focus on the 400,000 hectares of alienable and disposable public lands which remain to be untitled.