Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman underscored the importance of environmental protection in achieving economic sustainability as she graced the opening of the National Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2022.
The multilateral maritime pollution exercise, hosted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), formally opened today, 26 October 2022 at the PCG Headquarters in South Harbor, Manila.
The MARPOLEX Manila 2022 aims to showcase the PCG's capability in oil spill response, firefighting, search and rescue, and response to various incidents occurring in the country’s maritime jurisdiction. The activity will likewise test, evaluate, and enhance the effectiveness of the working relationship of the PCG with other government agencies and maritime stakeholders.
“We, at the Department of Budget and Management would like to express our full support to the Philippine Coast Guard and the main objective of today’s event— environmental preservation. This is reflected in our 2023 Proposed National Budget wherein Php 453.1 billion has been marked as climate change expenditures,” Secretary Pangandaman said.
The Budget Secretary also encouraged the PCG and other concerned agencies to proactively engage in expenditure tracking to conduct a proper reflection of climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in the government.
“We believe that your work in marine environmental protection has valuable contributions to the achievement of a sustainable economy,” Secretary Pangandaman added.
In her message, Secretary Pangandaman likewise highlighted the increased budgetary allocation for PCG. For 2023, the DBM allotted a total of Php 21.26 billion to the PCG – higher than this year’s budget of Php 19.31 billion – to further strengthen PCG’s capability in ensuring the country’s safety and security.
CG ADM Artemio M. Abu, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, expressed gratitude to the DBM Secretary for gracing the event.
“We are honored to have Secretary Pangandaman with us today. We know and feel I our hearts that she is indeed an advocate of environmental protection.”
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