DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, March 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 7 has conducted the 4th of a series of consultations and workshops among the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Dumaguete City.

This is part of citizen participation in the budget process relative to agency’s programs and projects 2024 budget proposal.

Regional Executive Director Paquito Melicor, Jr. of DENR7 stressed that peoples’ participation in the budget process leads to a responsive budget allocation and improve implementation of agency’s delivery of environmental protection services.

Melicor urged the citizens to speak about the actions of DENR should do in order to help the environment and improve the quality of governance and community’s lives.

 “If there are any existing programs or services that need to be improved or removed or no longer effective, or redirect resources that will help the improvement of the situation,” the director said.

Around 30 leaders of various CSOs including from the academe are gathered to share inputs on DENR’s ongoing or new spending expansion of programs, relevant projects, and activities that may strengthen risk management and performance.

“We want to emphasize that we need to look at how we can address the concerns of our environment. Now is the time for us to tell the government what actions are needed to be done to help the environment. What does DENR need to do to face the challenges we have right now,” Melicor said.

The collaborative efforts for the proposed programs, activities, and projects to be funded include DENR Secretary’s nature-based solution approach: A. forest management and protection, B. protected area management, C. biodiversity resources conservation, D. coastal and marine environment management, E. water resource management, F. air and water quality improvement, G. waste management, H. mineral resources development, and I. lands management.

However, DENR also emphasized the country’s vulnerability of climate change, thus to intensify priority programs aimed at enhancing resilience of ecosystems and communities amid the growing threats.

In the same gathering, Dr. Eddie Llamedo, assistant regional director of DENR7, reminded the participants that the common goal is to have community resilient to climate change and other natural geo-hazards but act in differentiated roles. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)