By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Imee Marcos has called for the inclusion of funding for green infrastructure in the 2025 budget to address the recurring problems of typhoons and flooding.
“Let’s start with simple community-level solutions, like expanding mangrove forests and planting indigenous bayog or Bambusa spinosa, which ancient Filipinos used for housing, as well as gabion species along riverbanks,” Marcos said.
The infrastructure budget for 2025 is expected to reach P1.28 trillion, but Marcos emphasized the need to prioritize green infrastructure for the first time.
“The budget typically focuses on gray infrastructure, like purely concrete structures. However, these materials are not permeable and can’t absorb rainwater,” she pointed out.
“We need to invest in solutions like vertical parks, rooftop gardens, and void decks. The climate is worsening faster than expected, and it’s time to allocate funds for green spaces, even in urbanized areas,” the senator added.
The United Nations has identified the Philippines as one of the countries most vulnerable to disasters, and has chosen the Philippines to host the new Loss and Damage Fund to support climate change adaptation.
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