MANILA, Philippines — A Senate finance subcommittee on Monday, October 19, endorsed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) proposed ₱28.04-billion budget for 2027 to the plenary, with lawmakers pressing the agency to step up its readiness against a looming super El Niño.
During the budget hearing, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna reported that the bulk of the budget, amounting to ₱20.62 billion, is earmarked for the DENR’s central office, staff bureaus, regional offices, and other smaller divisions.
The remaining funds are distributed among its attached agencies:
- ₱3.1 billion for the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)
- ₱1.98 billion for the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)
- ₱1.89 billion for the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)
- ₱284.35 million for the National Water Resources Board (NWRB)
- ₱149.3 million for the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS)
Call for El Niño Readiness
While reviewing the agency’s programs for next year, Senator Risa Hontiveros, who presided over the hearing, urged the DENR to take a leading role in mitigating the threats of widespread drought.
She stressed that the agency’s fiscal allocation must directly address emergency response requirements.
“Hindi pwedeng taumbayan lang ang mag-aadjust. DENR must step up to a historic challenge. It will be a critical and leading agency in the government’s response to this looming risk of widespread drought,” Hontiveros stated.
“The agency’s work will have real, tangible implications for the economy, health and daily living conditions of millions,” she added.
Hontiveros emphasized that funding should heavily support proactive measures, pointing to small water impoundment systems for rainwater collection and alternative solutions like atmospheric water stations developed by the Local Water Utilities Administration.
“Filipino people expect agility in the response and fitness for purpose of the budgets of frontline agencies such as the DENR. Its budget should reflect this,” she noted.
“Dapat buhusan ng pondo ang paghahanda at emergency response sa paparating na tagtuyot para maibsan ang dagok nito sa bawat Pilipino,” Hontiveros concluded.
Focus on Environmental Education
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano proposed strengthening environmental education in basic and secondary education. He recommended that the DENR coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to embed practical ecology lessons into school curricula.
Echoing this sentiment, Senator Pia Cayetano urged the DENR to tailor these educational initiatives to address the specific vulnerabilities of coastal and mountainous communities.