MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo ordered yesterday the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to expand reforestation projects in the country.
Mrs. Arroyo has “instructed the Cabinet, particularly the DENR, to pursue an expanded reforestation program” for the country which has among the highest deforestation rates in the region, National Economic and Development Authority Deputy Director General and deputy presidential spokesman Rolando Tungpalan said.
“This is the message I personally convey when I meet with the donor community insofar as the importance of the forest protection and forest cover both to development and protection is discussed,” Tungpalan told a news briefing at the Palace.
Tungpalan noted the statements made by Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara citing the study of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that showed the Philippines has one of the highest annual deforestation rates in East and Southeast Asia at 1.4 percent.
Tungpalan said the Philippine government is seeking to increase official development assistance from Japan for reforestation.
Under negotiations is $106 million forest management program from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The government is also negotiating the $3.7 million Mindanao Sustainable Settlement Area Development Project; $84.25 million Project on Forestlands Management in Cagayan and Pampanga; and the $120 million Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Program from the ADB and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Between the ongoing foreign-funded reforestation and environment projects are the National Programme Support for Environmental and Natural Resources from the World Bank amounting to $52.5 million.
Other foreign-funded reforestation projects include the $59 million Integrated Coastal Resources Management from the ADB; and the $10.1 million Community-based Forest Management-Visayas from Germany. – Paolo Romero, Philippine Star
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
