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The government has set P21.7 billion for climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as for rebuilding communities affected by disasters in the national budget for this year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) revealed yesterday.
“The massive destruction wrought by (typhoon) “Yolanda” was a wake-up call for all of us. The country needed an approach that would be rooted in prevention and preparedness rather than on ad-hoc responses,” DBM Secretary Florencio Abad said.
The DBM said that of the P21.7 billion, a total of P14 billion had been allocated to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRMMF, formerly known as the Calamity Fund). The rest is divided among Quick Response Funds (QRFs) lodged under the budgets of key agencies (P6.7 billion) and the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program Fund (P1 billion).
“The policy of ‘building back better’ will ensure stronger infrastructure systems and better opportunities for survivors of various calamities. But the groundwork for any government response needs to be laid down before these disasters happen. Ultimately, the administration’s main goal is to prepare for and effectively preempt these disasters,” Abad said.
The DBM chief noted the Risk Resiliency Program, which will help prop up the natural ecosystems and ensure the adaptive capacities of government institutions and communities.
Some of the program’s components include flood control infrastructure, national greening program and mapping and geohazards assessment.
Under the plan, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) will receive P398 million for the Unified Mapping Project to produce 1,500 image maps covering 360,000 hectares, including 18 river basins.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) will receive P1.15 million for the Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) to come up with 3D image hazard maps using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) will also receive P17 million to upgrade their warning systems via the installation of 240 intensity meters and 19 tsunami wave dro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) P276.9-million flood control and sewerage manetectors, among others.
The program also includes flood control infrastructure, wherein the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received P47.3 billion to cover the 18 major river basins and areas below sea level; national greening program, wherein the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) received P7.02 billion to cover 300,000 hectares with 225 million seedlings.
The DENR’s Forest Protection Program, which aims to neutralize 31 hotspots areas and protect not only the existing forest cover of 6,839,718 hectares but also established plantations of 1,005,013 hectares.
The DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) will receive P89 million to update their data and assess local vulnerabilities in 70 cities and municipalities, as well as 166 coastal communities.
Other projects that aim to help protect the environment and neutralize possible environmental issues include the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) P276.9-million flood control and sewerage management program.
source: manila bulletin
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