The Aquino administration on Wednesday released an initial P400 million to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for their mangrove and beach forest development project for areas battered by disasters such as super typhoon Yolanda.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the amount represents 40 percent of the P1 billion funding requirement of the National Greening Program as recommended by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Under the project, the national government will cooperate with stakeholders from local government units and the private sector to develop mangroves and beach forests in Yolanda-hit areas and regions that were struck by other disasters.
“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,” Abad said.
Aside from Yolanda-struck areas, other priority sites are those affected by siege and unrest (Zamboanga); those damaged by earthquakes (Cebu and Bohol); and other areas damaged by Typhoon Pablo (Regions 11 and 13).
The estimated land area of 27,400 hectares covered by the project comprise of 22,000 hectares of mangrove forests and 5,400 hectares of beach forests.
Abad said the project will cover site preparation, nursery development, mangrove and beach forest planting, and maintenance and protection.
“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,” Abad said.
The government has also released P8 billion to the National Housing Authority for resettlement projects for Yolanda survivors, charged against the 2014 supplemental appropriations.
Last week, President Benigno Aquino III prodded members of his Cabinet to hasten the implementation of rehabilitation projects for Yolanda survivors.
“So far, the things are moving but, you know the President, he wants things to move at a faster pace,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
Based on the timeline for the implementation of the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan, 50 percent of all the reconstruction projects will be completed this year and the remaining 20 percent in 2016.
Thirty percent of the rehabilitation programs have been implemented in 2014.
The CRRP, otherwise known as the rehabilitation masterplan, covers 171 cities and municipalities in 14 provinces and six regions, collectively known as the Yolanda corridor.
