MANILA — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Wednesday that local government units (LGUs) representing 143 cities have expressed interest in securing funding from the national government under the Green Green Green assistance program.
During the Breakfast with Ben — Diokno’s regular media briefing, the DBM chief said his office is currently processing 100 out of the 143 cities that forwarded their project proposals to avail of the funding assistance.
“Green Green Green is now in full swing, and is expected to benefit over 50 million Filipinos,” Diokno said.
The government allocated PHP2.5 billion this year for the said program.
“The program assists the Philippines’ 145 cities and their local government units in making their communities more livable, sustainable, and well-connected through the development or enhancement of public open spaces such as parks, waterfronts, plazas, esplanades, arboretum, botanical gardens, bike lanes, walkways, and green infrastructure,” Diokno explained.
“Last March, the DBM conducted a series of technical workshops that engaged city mayors, engineers, architects, and planners in a learning session focused on the best practices in public open space designs, and policies and procedures for the implementation of the program,” he added.
Meanwhile, DBM Assistance to Cities Program Manager Julia Nebrija said the agency is expected to complete the review and release the funding for qualified projects by the third quarter of the year.
Nebrija said most of the project proposals of the LGUs involve the development and improvement of institutional open spaces, parks, streetscapes, waterfronts, and mangrove parks, among others.
The Green Green Green program aims to increase softscape, maximize underutilized spaces, improve connectivity and accessibility, and support biodiversity throughout the country. ( Kris Crismundo/PNA)
