P132B for climate change

THE AQUINO administration has set aside P132 billion for climate change-related projects in the 2016 national budget, proof of its commitment to make vulnerable communities resilient to weather disturbances and other natural disasters, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Of this amount, nearly P60 billion will go to flood-control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“The construction of flood-control facilities covering 18 major river basins and principal rivers and watersheds by the DPWH will amount to P59.8 billion,” said the DBM.

Other projects tagged as climate change-related expenditures include “reforestation of 1.5 million hectares of land under the six-year National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which has an allocation of P10.2 billion, and the building of farm-to-market roads, amounting to P12.9 billion, under the Department of Agriculture.” Jerry E. Esplanada