AS chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez vowed to strengthen relationship with various stakeholders to effectively implement the environmental programs of the Duterte administration.
Lopez was guest during the general membership meeting of the Financial Executive Institute of the Philippines (Finex) at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City on Wednesday, where she emphasized the importance of working together with other government agencies, the private sector and the civil society in implementing the programs of the DENR.
She said she will institutionalize the participation of the civil society in environment and natural resource management by setting up a civil-society organization arm within the DENR.
“Civil society should be the one to protect the environment. We can accomplish this together,” Lopez said in a statement.
Lopez added that her primary focus is to improve the quality of life of poor people by providing them alternative source of livelihood through the preservation of the environment and natural resources.
“The environment is being desecrated because of poverty,” she said.
According to Lopez, the funds for the National Greening Program (NGP), the government’s massive reforestation initiative has been extended until 2028, which “could be funneled into the economy through farmers, fishermen and the youth.”
The NGP sites would be used to create economic zones through agro-forestry “so that people would grow and care for the trees that they plant and they can earn from it, she said.
Lopez vowed to collaborate with other government agencies to ensure the success of the Duterte administration’s environmental programs and projects, citing as an example the DENR’s collaboration with law-enforcement agencies.
Lopez said National Police Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa had vowed to run after illegal loggers and fishermen, and other violators of environmental laws.
The environment chief also reiterated her interest and willingness to work with the youth sector. “I want to capture their idealism and energy into doing something for the environment and the people,” she added.
Lopez said the DENR would tap academe and some government agencies in building “island models” to showcase convergence approach in developing the environment.
She identified six areas as potential island models. These are Oriental Mindoro, Sibuyan island in Romblon, Palawan, Sorsogon, Guimaras and Batangas.
The DENR secretary also declared every Wednesday as “People’s Day” in all DENR offices nationwide to allow officials and employees to address public concern and queries starting August 10.
Under her watch, the DENR will receive and respond to complaints through DENR’s cell-phone number 0917-522-9344 and e-mail address aksyonkalikasan@denr.gov.ph.