DENR Reg’l Offices in Northern Luzon Converge to Combat Environment Threats

The three regional offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Northern Luzon have strengthened their convergence efforts to combat illegal activities that threaten the environment.

In an inter-regional meeting, the environment regional offices of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region intensified their strategy in ensuring the protection and preservation of natural resources including minerals and wildlife.

Lawyer Gil A. Aromin, regional director of DENR-2, said the mutual complementation and collaboration will unify and streamline efforts and resources toward achieving overall protection of the environment and natural resources in northernmost part of Luzon.

“The inter-regional convergence is one of our initiatives pursuant to the commitment of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to President Rodrigo R. Duterte to stop illegal environmental activities,” Aromin said.

The regional environment chiefs agreed further to include the monitoring checkpoints for forest products in Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan; Bangui, Ilocos Norte; and Luna, Apayao the prohibition of transport of wildlife and mineral products.

“Mobile checkpoints will also be established in strategic places to intensify monitoring of forest products, wildlife and mineral resources,” Aromin said.

It was also agreed that the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) officer whose jurisdiction covers the monitoring station will supervise the activities of the checkpoint and will submit report to concerned regional head.

Meanwhile, the administrative adjudication of the apprehended or seized forest products, wildlife and mineral products and transportation used, tools and equipment including filing of complaints against the perpetrators will be conducted by the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) office concerned.

On the other hand, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) will assist in the apprehension and evaluation of mineral resources to be transported. (MDCT/OTB/PIA 2-Cagayan with reports from Corazon C. Corpuz)