Three Things You Need to Know About PH 'Green Growth Recovery' 2022

Last September 2021, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) proposed a P25.29 billion budget for this year to support programs aimed at green growth.

During the budget hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the proposed budget will be allocated to “water resilience and water security programs to adapt to climate change and recover from the setback caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

"We shall be focusing on the strategic thrust of water resilience and water security to heighten integrated watershed management, promote sustainable livelihood for the upland communities, address pollution, protect wildlife and biodiversity," Cimatu said in a press release on Sept. 13.

Apart from economic growth, the “Green Growth Recovery” project of the department this 2022 aims the following:

Prioritize Assistance to Flood-Prone Provinces

The Philippines is located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean which puts the country along the path of tropical cyclone generator, leading to devastating floods, landslides, and storm surges. Additionally, the country experiences periodic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its position on the edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Throughout the years, the frequency of natural catastrophes around the world increases and becomes more severe in terms of its impact on mortality rate, site relocations, and damage to livelihood resources.

For this reason, the DENR has committed to providing significant assistance to 24 provinces that are most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. These comprises Masbate, Sorsogon, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Sarangani, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Catanduanes, and Siquijor.

According to a study from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the particular sectors that need to be cultivated are "small farms on flood plains, hillsides, and the edges of river systems and coastal areas, or for economic reasons lives informally on fragile public land such as critical watersheds, forests and coastal zones.”

Reassess the Capacity of Major Urban Hubs

From traffic congestion and overcrowding to low quality of life and increasing poor urban communities, there are a lot of issues in the cities in the Philippines that need to be addressed in light of the green growth recovery.

The urban population is expected to grow by 67% in 2030 or an additional 34.8 million individuals. This means that many of these inhabitants would likely experience a lack of housing and water resources and supply, as well as poor sanitation, energy consumption, and urban transport.

As part of "Green Growth Recovery” this 2022, Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao are part of the “priority geographic focus” in improving environmental sustainability in the country.

Development of Other Priority Programs

Out of the P25.29 billion proposed budget, P9.7 billion will be allocated to DENR’s other priority programs, which include the following:

• Enhanced National Greening Program - P3.7 billion
• Enhanced Biodiversity Conservation - P1.01 billion
• Manila Bay Rehabilitation - P1.67 billion
• Solid Waste Management - P1.07 billion
• Clean Air - P143 million
• Clean Water - P315.49 million
• Intensified Forest Protection and Anti-Illegal Logging - P696.4 million
• Improved Land Administration and Management - P415.3 million
• Geo-Hazard, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining - P407.7 million
• Scaling Up of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Programs - P271.8 million