Gozun urges DENR staff to be proactive

"We are not just regulators but workers, as well, on sustainable development". This was the gist of DENR Sec. Elisea Gozun’s message during the three-day Management Conference (MANCON) held at Robinsdale Hotel, Manila, recently. Regional directors and chiefs of divisions of the DENR – Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), nationwide, attended the activity.

On the same occasion, Secretary Gozun urged the EMB officials to be proactive – to go beyond safeguarding the environment and provide assistance to stakeholders and partners in environmental protection, particularly industries, LGUs, NGOs, and other sectors of society.

Two major outputs which would makes a differences in the EMB operations were presented to by the participants, namely; "Streamlined Permitting Process of Environmental Laws", reducing the processing time for various projects to streamline the processing of permits under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law; and Regional Action Plan anchored on the present administration’s thrusts and priorities.

One of the thrusts laid down by Secretary Gozun for EMB for 2003-2004 is the more aggressive coordination in the implementation of R.A. 9003 on the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) progress for all DENR offices nationwide, and all government offices and public schools in Metro Manila; at least one LGU-wide system working model per region of the country; and model sanitary landfills with Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) in selected key cities/municipalities of the country.

Another major thrust is the implementation of R.A. 8749, or the Clean Air Act (CAA), through more aggressive coordination with concerned sectors in the aspects of emission testing of all government vehicles; monitoring of emission testing as mandatory requirements of all vehicles prior to vehicular registration; working out ways and means, both technically and financially, to assist the transport sector in complying with the CAA; promotion of the use of alternative fuels and natural renewable energy for transport and industry; and ensuring the capability of DOH and Philippine Hospital Association for the management of hospitals’ hazardous wastes.

The EMB shall also strive towards greater management to industry to shift towards cleaner production, and improve social and environmental performance; strengthen implementation of Toxic and Hazardous Substances, and Nuclear Waste Control Act; more vigorous promotion of internalization of environmental costs and the use of economic instruments; and more aggressive institutionalization of partnership for sustainable development, particularly, but not limited to the youth, leagues of local governments, civil society, indigenous peoples, media, church, chambers of commerce and industry and women organization.