Recognizing the vital role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in economic growth and poverty alleviation, Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to reach out to the poorest sectors, especially those in regions with high poverty incidence, by providing them access to livelihood opportunities.
Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to boost efforts in rehabilitating the country’s coral reefs and marine ecosystems as she expressed alarm over reports of significant decline in marine fish catch by 2050.
Senator Loren Legarda today said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) must use the remaining Four Billion Pesos from its 2015 budget for the poorest Filipinos.
During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance chaired by Legarda, the DSWD said that as of January 2016, unobligated funds of the Department from its 2015 budget was 18.46 Billion Pesos. As of August 31, 2016, they still have a remaining balance worth 4 Billion Pesos. Since the said fund is from the 2015 budget, any excess by the end of the year will revert to the national treasury.
Senator Loren Legarda said that the 2017 national budget will continue to mainstream provisions on environmental sustainability as she stressed that the Senate will continue to monitor the implementation of the country’s environmental laws.
Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, made the statement during the hearing for the proposed 2017 budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Senator Loren Legarda today said the government should upgrade facilities and improve standards of agencies under the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to ensure that it provides the people with reliable, balanced, and up-to-date news and information about the government and its activities.