By Xander Dave Ceballos
Funds for the Green Green Green program should not be utilized for purposes other than promoting open green spaces, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) guidelines.
Based on Local Budget Circular No. 158, the funds cannot also be used to pay personnel services expenditures, consultation fees for project design, projects already covered by other funds, or relocation of informal settlers.
The project implementations of beneficiary local government units should also be monitored and evaluated by the Department of Interior and Local Government to ensure transparency.
“Likewise, the beneficiary LGUs shall comply with the necessary reports, plans, or documents relative to the project implementation,” the circular reads.
The DBM said the funds can be used to construct green open spaces such as public/municipal parks and plazas, nature and family/recreational parks, arboretums, and botanical gardens.
It can also be utilized to build infrastructure for active mobility such as: physically separated bicycle lanes; bike racks; elevated' or at-grade pedestrian footpaths and walkways; sports facilities; and recreational trails.
This comes after the DBM and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recently launched the P1 billion program to support beneficiary provinces, cities, and municipalities in promoting green open spaces and infrastructure projects for active mobility.
On the other hand, the MMDA also declared that it would allocate an additional P200 million “supplemental fund” for 17 Metro Manila LGUs participating in the program.
“With the launch of the Green Green Program and inauguration of Roxas Blvd. Promenade Project, we are able to take a huge step towards fulfilling the President’s goal of a Bagong Pilipinas, where every Filipino is committed to the improvement of life in the community, involved in contributing to the maintenance of a healthy ecology, and devoted in providing secure environments that will benefit future generations,” DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.
The one billion budget will benefit 38 provinces, cities, and municipalities in Luzon (including Metro Manila), 21 in Visayas, and 21 in Mindanao.
The following are the beneficiary LGUs:
*National Capital Region (NCR):* Caloocan City, Las Piñas City, Makati City, Malabon City, Mandaluyong City, City of Manila, Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Navotas City, Parañaque City, Pasay City, Pasig City, Quezon City, San Juan City, Taguig City, Valenzuela City, and Pateros;
*Region III:* Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga;
*Region IV-A:* Provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite; Bacoor City, Cavite City, Dasmarinas City, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, and Rosario, Cavite; Biñan City, Cabuyao City, San Pedro City, Santa Rosa City, Laguna; Angono, Cainta, and Taytay, Rizal;
*Region V:* Camaligan, Camarines Sur;
*Region VI:* Provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental; Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Kalibo (Capital), Malay, Estancia, and Pavia;
*Region VII:* Cebu and Negros Oriental; Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Cordova, Liloan, and Minglanilla; and Dumaguete City (Capital);
*Region VIII:* Biliran;
*Region X:* Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte; Cagayan de Oro City, Baloi, Lugait, and Villanueva;
*Region XI:* Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur; Panabo City and Tagum City;
*Region XII:* South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat; General Santos City and Cotabato City;
*Region XIII:* Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands; Surigao City (Capital) and San Jose (Capital); and
*Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM):* Lanao del Sur and Sulu; Marawi City (Capital), Indanan, Jolo (Capital), and Maimbung.