Wednesday, March 12, 2008
P5 billion fund allocated for environment protection (8:47 p.m.)
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said government has allocated P5 billion for conservation activities, including P240 million for protected areas, as part of the P8-billion budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for 2008.
Arroyo made the announcement Wednesday in Morong, Bataan where she led the release of about 30 three-day old Olive Ridley sea turtles into the beach of Morong, which eventually leads to the South China Sea.
The activity is done to heighten the awareness of the people on the importance of conservation, particularly on saving the turtles.
According to Arroyo, the P5 billion fund would be used to beautify villages and cities, build more urban parks and recreation areas, purify water systems and clean up industrial sites. She said this underscores government's commitment to take care of the environment.
The President said the protection of national parks and wildlife refuges also ranks high in government's priorities. She said P240 million will be spent for protected areas so that they could be developed into international sanctuaries for eco-tourism and scientific research.
She said P5 million would be spent for the Pawikan Conservation Project in Barangay Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan. She ordered the Philippine Tourism Authority to give additional funds for the shelter and gave the project officers a check for their livelihood and for the setting up of lodging rooms for tourists and marine biologists. (JMR/Sunnex)
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