DENR invites public to help formulate its budget

MANILA, Philippines—Various groups will participate in the crafting of the environment department’s budget for next year, the first time the agency will open that process to civil society groups, according to the budget advocacy group La Liga Policy Institute.

La Liga is a member of the Alternative Budget Initiative, a budget advocacy network led by Social Watch Philippines, which is a civil society partner of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“For the first time in the history of alternative budget advocacy for the environment sector, the DENR will open up its budget preparation process to participation of different civil society organizations,” said La Liga president and managing director Roland Cabigas.

In a statement, he said the citizen groups’ plans, project and budget proposals could soon begin to be integrated into the upcoming DENR budget.

The department’s budget for 2013 is almost P24 billion, most of which goes to programs for reforestation, rehabilitation of coral reefs and mangrove areas, and land distribution.

“Participatory budgeting is not only a means to ensure transparent and responsive environment governance but more importantly we are hopeful that these will lead to more efficient and effective budget allocation and resources for critical and urgently needed environment protection and rehabilitation programs,” Cabigas said.

He said his group would explore for ways to ensure  citizen participation in the crafting of the DENR budget.

“At the same time, we hope to see participation conducted not only at the national level but at the regional and local level as well,” Cabigas said.