Palace orders release of P10-M to SK for reforestation

SUBIC FREEPORT – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 28 directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P10 million to the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) for the government’s reforestation project.
The Chief Executive issued the order at this morning’s 2009 SK National Congress at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, where more than 4,000 SK members attended. A warm welcome and a long warm of applause greeted the President as the young leaders affirmed their support to the initiatives of the government.
The P10 million fund will be sourced from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) reforestation project, which was set up to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Last year, the President also released P10 million for SK’s Sama-Sama sa Kalikasan to launch the Green Philippines Campaign.
She told the young leaders that their internal revenue allotments (IRA) have been increased this year due to the fiscal reforms the government had initiated in previous years. She cited the significance of value added tax that provides funding for various government projects and services.
President Arroyo noted that government has released more than P150 billion in eight years for its microfinance project for micro credits that will benefit the micro entrepreneurs in the countryside.
“The SK can give technical support to help more young would-be micro entrepreneurs access to these micro finance funds,” she said.
She also encouraged the SK to take an active role in waste management.
According to the President the government is expanding coverage of the Pantawid sa Pilipinong Pamilya Program (4Ps). She urged youth leaders to take part in the project by monitoring and making sure that beneficiaries in their communities are doing their duties under the program initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The government wants to increase the number of families enrolled in the program from 700,000 to one million.
Earlier, the President took part in the awarding ceremonies of youth leaders who made outstanding contributions in their own bailiwick.