The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 through its Planning and Management Division (PMD), together with the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) 6 and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 6 conducted a Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Consultation on March 4, 2024 at the Activity Center, DENR 6 Regional Office, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City.

DENR 6 top officials namely Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Raul L. Lorilla for Technical Services, ARD Andres T. Untal for Management Services, and ARD Ivene D. Reyes for Special Concerns joined the event together with Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENRO/CENROs), Regional Office Division Chiefs, other DENR personnel, representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6, and from different Civil Society Organizations composed of the academe, religious groups, Local Government Units (LGUs), People’s Organizations (POs), and other stakeholders.

“We are expecting and soliciting your support in the crafting of this budget proposal should there be any suggestion from your end and also ultimately later on during the implementation and monitoring of these programmed projects and activities,” ARD Lorilla said in his welcome message on behalf of Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

The consultation was conducted in close coordination with NEDA Region 6 and is a vital component in the preparation of the Budget Proposal for FY 2025. It aims to discuss the different programs and projects of DENR to the CSOs as well as to solicit valuable insights and support for the planning, monitoring, and implementation of the different endeavours slated for the present and following years.

“Isa sa mga gusto matabo sang aton nga government when it comes to the preparation of the budget, dapat properly consulted ini siya sa mga members sang civil society organizations. Kay mostly, amu ini ang mga organizations ang partner sang aton mga agencies sa pag-implement sang ila projects. Kalabanan sa inyo ara sa ground, makita ninyo kung paano gina-implement ang mga projects kag may mga insights kamo nga pwede ma-share kung paano pagid ma-improve ang budget preparation,” says EnP Francis John Palabrica, Senior Economic Development Specialist of NEDA 6.

“Public positions in the government require public trust. Therefore, we have to be transparent, we have to be accountable lalo na sa expenditures because we will be spending people’s money that’s why we need to be very transparent…We believe that an informed public and an evidence-based budget is crucial to sustain growth,” ARD Untal expressed in his message.

Among concerns raised by the participants was the need to increase the budget to hire more personnel and for the procurement and maintenance of equipment and facilities, sufficient provisions for wildlife in rescue centers, consistent monitoring of projects being implemented, expediting processes, more support for POs in National Greening Program (NGP) sites as well as additional funding for monitoring and evaluation of graduated sites, more air and water quality monitoring stations in strategic areas, and strengthened information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign in local communities among others. These inputs were noted by the concerned officials and will be appropriately incorporated in the Budget Proposal for FY 2025.

“The priority program of the (DENR) Secretary is now protected areas. So ito ang mga importante na mga resources na dapat nating proteksyunan. Proteksyunan nating ang bundok, magtanim tayo sa bundok and maso-solve ang mga problema doon sa lower ground. Sa lahat ng dumalo, maraming salamat po! Nandiyan po ang inyong mga PENRO at CENRO. You can coordinate with them para po doon sa inyonmg mga problema,” ARD Reyes said in his closing remarks.

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Photo Releases
Published: 11 March 2024