Progressive Party MP Expresses Disappointment with Government’s Budget for PM 2.5 Dust Management

“Moving Forward MPs” are disappointed that the government has raised the matter of pm2.5 dust as a national agenda. But budgeting does not reflect problem solving. If this is the case, the only way out is to light 16 incense sticks and ask for the sacred things to naturally subside on their own. and begging capitalists to stop importing products that come from burning

Today (January 4) Mr. Phattharaphong Leelaphat, Chiang Mai MP, Progressive Party, spoke during the debate. The draft budget for fiscal year 2024 includes a budget regarding PM 2.5 dust management that the government raises the issue of PM 2.5 dust as a national agenda. He considered it very disappointing. that budgeting does not reflect the problem and does not demonstrate the government’s commitment to solving this problem. He compared the solutions to this problem. Like building a 5-story building, building the foundation depends on the council. But if you want to build floors 1-5, it must depend on the government.

The 1st floor is the public health floor. This level is very disappointing in the entire budget of the Ministry of Public Health. There are only superficial projects related to PM 2.5 dust. The strategy and environmental management plan is 298 million baht. Of this amount, 292 million baht is to upgrade the Green & Clean hospital, which is not related to PM 2.5 dust. The other 6.2 million baht goes to the Department. Sanitation that has a project to reduce health impacts It’s equivalent to a single PM 2.5 level measuring device project.

Mr. Phattharaphong asked what the public gets from indicators like this. Reversing the crisis that affects our health and takes away the people we love. Can you budget for just this? Along with comparing lung cancer statistics, people in the northern region have higher average morbidity and death than other regions. There is 10% less smoking than other areas. This problem does not affect the northern region anymore. Did you know that the number of respiratory disease patients nationwide in 2023 is 6.82 million?

Mr. Phattharaphong further said that in Budget 67 there is no dust-free room. In the past, budgets were used from other parts. Currently, there are 1,178 dust-free rooms, of which there are only 4 in Chiang Mai, and they are all concentrated in the city. Ready to propose that it would be better for local agencies to do it themselves. Another part that should have a budget but does not see it is a budget for monitoring health and diseases caused by PM 2.5 in areas that are severely affected. Even though the government has a project like this in the EEC area.

Mr. Phattharaphong said that it is the budget of the Ministry of Education. There is no budget for an air purifier. Even a few schools are under the ministry. It is so embarrassing that even schools cannot be a safe place for our children.

In the second level is agricultural fire, which he has very high hopes for because Capt. Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. He is the former chairman of the special committee to systematically solve the PM 2.5 problem. The government aims to reduce incineration by 50% but budgets only 10%. The implementation of various projects is no different from 2023. He would like to suggest that the budget must be set in line with the targets.

“He said he would reduce burning by 100,000 rai, but the budget was only 20,000 rai, which is not like what was discussed here,” Mr. Phattharaphong said.
In level 3, it’s about forest fires. We are seeing this budget increase. But no clear details have been seen yet. Even though we have the knowledge, the information, and see what the behavior of wildfires is like. But there was no serious plan. The biggest concern is the budget for forest firefighting equipment for officials. Purchasing a heat detection drone Setting up a forest fire lookout point in the park It’s still not clear. What he is most disappointed about is that the budget is still jerked to the central government. It is not distributed to areas that know the problem best, such as the local area. The local government agency requested a budget of 1,709 million baht, but the government only provided a budget of 50 million baht.

“We already know how small local budgets are for managing forest fires. The Prime Minister will leave it up to local politicians to line their own pockets. Organize a phaapaa ceremony, sell dance tickets, bring money to extinguish forest fires for us or … how many years has it been? We see the same old problems. There are already insufficient personnel from the Forestry Department and the National Parks Department to extinguish forest fires. And he couldn’t put out the fire as quickly as the people in the area,” Mr. Pharaphong said.

The 4th layer is forecasts and alerts. To make accurate predictions, you must have quality measurement tools. He is extremely concerned that the budget spent will not be effective. In the notification section He would like to propose to the Minister of Digital Economy and Society that the NBTC organize this section. Ready to leave the Ministry of Interior to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. No matter how high the PM 2.5 value is, there will be no warning. It reflects how good the tools are. If it is not managed well, it will not be successful.

On the 5th floor which is the last floor. It’s a command center. in managing toxic dust across borders There is a budget of 797.54 million baht for reducing risks and impacts from natural disasters and climate change, but there are no details. He would like to ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs what the details are. Is it related to toxic dust across the border?

Mr. Phattharaphong concluded by saying that The government will seriously implement this recommendation. If you arrange a budget like this We have only one solution to this problem, which is to light 16 incense sticks and ask the sacred things to pray that nature will soften itself. Incense sticks and candles only If nature is kind The people were freed from danger. Then you have to go and pray. Ask capitalists to stop importing products that come from burning. We don’t know if we will get it or not, until today the government has not taken any measures. related to importing agricultural products to Thailand In a few weeks, the PM 2.5 problem in the northern region will already be more serious. He will closely monitor whether he follows through with what he campaigned for or not. And can the people have hope in this government to solve the PM 2.5 problem?

“During this New Year 2024, what the people will receive from you. It probably wasn’t a blessing or any promise. But what they want is clean air. that children can breathe We can go out and play outside and we don’t have to smile at each other under masks. That’s all I ask. Can you give it to the people as a New Year’s gift?” Mr. Phattharaphong said.

2024-01-04 05:14:00
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