In a move to gather inputs and further attune the Department’s FY 2024 budget proposal to the needs of its beneficiaries at the grassroots, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 conducted a series of consultation with members of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), local government units, the academe and other environmental partners.

 DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran led the conduct of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Consultation for the preparation of FY 2024 budget proposal. The consultation activity was organized by the Planning and Management Division (PMD) spearheaded by PMD Chief, Edna B. Locsin and the planning officers at the Provincial ENR Offices and Community ENR Offices of the DENR 6.

To cater all the needs and concerns of the CSOs, the activity were divided into three (3) clusters, to wit: Cluster 1 – PENROs Aklan, Antique and Capiz on February 27, 2023, held at Aklan Training Center, Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan; Cluster 2 – PENROs Guimaras and Iloilo on February 28, 2023 held at Smallville 21 Hotel, Iloilo City; and Cluster 3, PENRO Negros Occidental, on March 2, 2023 at Acacia Hotel, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The conduct of the activity is based on the issuance of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Memorandum Circular No. 145, dated January 12, 2023 as part of the budget proposal document of all government agencies.

Since 2018 the region has been working in partnership with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6 in the conduct of this activity. NEDA representative Roxanne C. Yap also said during the first league, that this consultation is a testament that DENR is a listening agency.

NEDA 6 also considered seven (7) aspects that the CSO should consider on the implementation and proposal of DENR Projects, Programs and Activities such as: Relevance, Strategy and Delivery Methodology, Beneficiaries/clients, Implementation Arrangement, Costing/budget Allocation, Feedback Mechanism, Monitoring and Evaluation.

During the open forum, different concerns and suggestions were raised by the CSOs which include issues and concerns on forestry and biodiversity, lands and mining, and the environment.

“The DENR assures that the recommendations and concerns of each CSO are noted and included in the crafting of the Department’s proposal for CY 2024 and those queries and concerns that need immediate action will be addressed. I have instructed the PENROs and CENROs and the bureaus - the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) – to attend to those concerns,” RED Duran said.

Together with RED Duran were Assistant Regional Directors of Technical Services, Raul L. Lorilla, Management Services, Andres T. Untal, and Special Concerns, Ivene D. Reyes, EMB and MGB representatives.