DENR seeking additional P3-B funds

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is seeking an additional P3-billion funding to bankroll three programs that the agency aims to begin next year.

The proposed funding includes P1.2 billion for the creation of an enforcement bureau, P1.8 billion for the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11038, or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-Nipas) Act and P36 million for the fast-tracking of the issuance of titles for alienable and disposable public lands.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu earlier pushed for the creation of an enforcement bureau, following the death of Bienvinido Veguilla Jr., a forest ranger killed by suspected illegal loggers in Palawan province.

The additional funding would also allow the full implementation of the E-Nipas law, which expands the Nipas Act of 1992 to cover a wider ranger of protected areas under the law, with an additional 94 more legislated areas in the country.