Editorial

Close watch, transparency needed on P3.5-B forest fund

The implementation of projects to be funded with the P3.5-billion reforestation fund promised by President Arroyo in her eighth State-of-the-Nation Address should be strictly monitored to ensure that the appropriation will be properly utilized.

Environment and agriculture stakeholders in the Cordillera have observed that billions of pesos set aside as reforestation funds in the past were mishandled by concerned government agencies. As a result, they said, most of the country’s forests and watersheds are now in bad shape.

The President announced the availability of P2 billion for reforestation projects and P1.5 billion for agro-forestry undertakings. These amounts are expected to revitalize the devastated forests and provide additional sources of livelihood for farmers.

However, the stakeholders in the region said the funds should be handled by two or more agencies and should be spent in accordance with a sustainable inter-agency program for the reforestation of watersheds in different parts of the country.

In the Cordillera, the Regional Development Council and the National Irrigation Administration have been advocating for watershed rehabilitation and management because of the alarming condition of Cordillera mountain ranges which are being exploited by unscrupulous individuals.

If the Cordillera RDC wants to have a piece of the pie, it should also advocate transparency and judicious use of the funds. As of this time, the RDC hasn’t yet reported or made an accounting to the public how it made use of the P15 million fund for information purposes in pushing regional autonomy.