Philippine Eagle (Photo courtesy of Sipalay City government)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secured over P100 million in government funding to help protect the Philippines’ threatened animal species, Environment Ssecretary Maria Yulo Loyzaga said on Tuesday.
According to Loyzaga, Congress also allotted funding in the national budget for the DENR’s marine research station.
“Mahalaga po talagang pinagtutuunan ng atensiyon ang biodiversity po natin, we were able to secure over P500 million just to work on the enhancement of our marine research station po; also another P100 million for our threatened species,” said Loyzaga in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.
(We are giving due importance and attention to our biodiversity, we were able to secure over P500 million just to work on the enhancement of our marine research station, also another P100 million for our threatened species.)
Some of these threatened species include the Philippine Eagle, the dugong, tamaraw and the Palawan cockatoo, said Loyzaga.
Loyzaga pointed out that it is important to protect the Philippines’ biodiversity since it is linked to food and water security.
She said that the Philippine ecosystem is “mega-diverse”, and is recognized around the world.
In fact, the government also receives international funding for biodiversity, said Loyzaga.
“Over 260 million, mga 270 million US dollars na pumapasok po sa atin in terms of our foreign funds and projects,,” she said.