THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) is allocating P1.62 billion for the Expanded National Greening Program (NGP) under the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.
On Tuesday, October 20, the DBM said the proposed budget for the expanded NGP is 186.32% higher than the P565 million provided under this year’s General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The Budget department said the amount would support the planting, maintenance, and protection of 18,645 hectares of forests and other suitable lands nationwide.
Moreover, the proposed P1.62-billion expanded NGP allocation forms part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) P29.47-billion proposed budget for 2027, up 4.24% from its P28.27-billion enacted budget in 2026.
The DBM said the expanded NGP investment “is particularly significant as forests serve as natural defenses against soil erosion, flooding, and other environmental risks, while helping preserve biodiversity, absorb carbon emissions, and sustain the livelihoods of communities that depend on forest resources.”
It added that the expanded NGP goes beyond planting trees as it “also supports the continued maintenance and protection of rehabilitated areas to help ensure that reforestation efforts deliver lasting environmental benefits.”
The DBM said the program likewise provides livelihood opportunities for upland and lowland communities, including indigenous peoples, while encouraging their active participation in protecting and sustainably managing the country’s forests.
The Budget department further said the proposed investment “underscores an important principle in public spending: the value of environmental programs must be measured not only by the number of trees planted, but also by the forests that survive, the ecosystems that recover, and the communities that benefit.” (GMA News)
