Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu visits R02, calls to strengthen envi law implementation

By: Lyndee Rose Basilio

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu in his first visit in region II on September 9, 2017 called on its officials on the need to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws of the agency.

“Ang pinakakulang ng DENR ay enforcement sa ating trabaho. Kulang tayo ng ngipin, dagdagan natin ng ngipin,” said Secretary Cimatu.

“Ang pinakakulang ng DENR ay enforcement sa ating trabaho. Kulang tayo ng ngipin, dagdagan natin ng ngipin,” said Secretary Cimatu.

Cimatu announced during his visit in the regional office the Department’s directions under his watch.

 He reminded the regional office to properly enforce the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, and  Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. “ Kailangan maipatupad ang malinis na hangin na nilalanghap ng tao.”

He likewise focused on the continuous protection of the Cagayan River against pollutants. “The Cagayan River, the longest river in the country is the source of irrigation of the valley.”

The Environment Secretary was amazed by the cleanliness of the Cagayan river upon seeing it from his plane along his way to Tuguegarao.

The Environment Secretary also emphasized that the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) are in the frontline in the implementation of the agency’s programs.

“ Kayo ang panlaban kaya kailangan natin palakasin ang mga CENRO,” said Secretary Cimatu.

The secretary said that there will be additional personnel in the CENRO and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO) particularly the hiring of lawyers to be deployed in every CENRO.

Cimatu said that legal problems will be settled immediately if there are lawyers in each CENROs in the region.  The lawyers will help on law enforcement and resolution of land cases, They will also be subjected to environmental law enforcement training.

Cimatu said that the additional manpower will strengthen the CENROs and PENROs.

On Land titling, the secretary urged his officials that the issuance of documents should be fast tracked to avoid suspicion.

“ Kailangan bilisan natin ang pagproseso ng mga dokumento wag patagalin at walang manghihingi ng bayad,” the environment secretary warned.

Cimatu also gave reminders on the implementation of Enhanced National Greening Program (E-NGP), “ Yung National Greening Program ipatupad natin nang walang kalokohan,” he said.

The protection of Sierra Madre was also mentioned by the secretary. He emphasized to his officials that no illegal logging must occur in the mountain ranges of the Sierra Madre,

On Mining, secretary Cimatu reminded the officials of Mines and Geosciences Bureau to properly monitor mining activities particularly to stop those who engage in black sand mining. He likewise told the bureau that if it needs help in monitoring, the Philippine Coast Guard will be deployed in the area.

On the other hand, DENR Regional Office No. II also issued a manifesto of support for the confirmation of secretary Cimatu by the Commission of Appointments (CA).

DENR Regional Director Atty. Gil Aromin said that the manifesto is a sign of full support of the DENR employees of his leadership in the agency.

Cimatu expressed his appreciation that he is fortunate to receive such amount of support in barely four months of being the DENR secretary.

Meanwhile, Secretary Cimatu also handed the Bayani ng Kalikasan Award to the parents of Mark Ian Dela Cruz for his “sacrifice for the DENR.” The award is given for the “Fallen Heroes of the Environment” who dedicated their lives for the service and protection of the environment.

Also awarded during the welcome program at the DENR Regional Office was a Commendation of Outstanding Commitment to Forester Wilbert Sanchez, Forest Protection Officer Mark Anthony Capuchino, Extension Officers Noel Massalang and Joel Ortiz.

Dela Cruz together with his four companions were hit by lightning on May 12, 2016 while conducting geo-tagging at Rizal Cagayan.

After the program, Cimatu visited EMB and MGB Regional Offices. He also visited and met with the officials of PENR and CENR offices in Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya.

He was accompanied by Undersecretaries Atty. Ernesto Adobo and Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, and officials of EMB and MGB.

MGB Director Atty. Wilfredo Moncano and Assistant Director Atty. Danilo Uykieng likewise accompanied the secretary.