LGUs to be part of Green Economy Program, says DENR chief

Some local government units will be part of the Green Economy Program, which aims to push for the Philippines' transition to a green economy, according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga on Wednesday.

The Philippine government and the European Union inked an agreement on the Green Economy Program, which includes a grant worth €60 million that aims to support the country in areas such as circular economy, renewable energy, and climate change mitigation.

"So, initially po, we have identified about 10 LGUs that could potentially be part of this program for improving their circular economy locally and of course climate change mitigation because of the control of the methane releases from the management of the solid waste landfills," Loyzaga said at a press briefing.

"So, those LGUs that were considered are the highly urbanized ‘no, of course Baguio City, Pasig, Quezon City is already well on the way, Caloocan po, Davao, Ormoc, the Island Garden City of Samal dito sa Davao din, Metro Iloilo and the islands of Palawan and Siargao," she added.

Asked when the country will feel the effects of the EU grant, Loyzaga said, "We are targeting to have all our submissions ready hopefully for assessment by the NEDA Board by November of this year."

She said the government is now embarking on its own efforts to "green our economy."

The Green Economy Program aims to support the Philippines' transition towards a green economy, including initiatives on circular economy, reducing waste and plastic, as well as to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment to support climate change mitigation. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News