DENR asked to allot more funds for coral reef management

Noting that only four percent of coral reefs nationwide are in perfect condition, Sen. Loren Legarda on Monday asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to increase funding for coral reef management. "Parang pinabayaan natin, wala tayong pakialam [sa coral reefs]," Legarda told the DENR during Monday’s Senate finance committee hearing on the proposed budget of the department for 2012. Sen. Franklin Drilon, Senate finance committee chairman, said that the DENR's proposed budget for 2012 is P16.99 billion, which is a 38-percent increase from its P12.2 billion budget this year. He added P4.9 billion of the proposed budget was allocated for reforestation. Legarda, however, noted that only P76 million was allocated for coastal resource management and that this budget will even go to personnel services. DENR Sec. Ramon Paje, speaking during the hearing, said they will be getting a loan of P505 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for coastal resource management. Legarda, however, said that the DENR should find additional funding within its own budget for next year. "Parang mali po ang ating allocation sa budget talaga. Every year we see this, it seems there is a lack of prioritization to important matters which affect lives," she said. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News