DENR implements environmental mgm’t program

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is intensifying the implementation of the Environmental Management System (EMS) program in its vision to be ISO 14001-certified.

EMS is a continuing cycle of planning, implementing, reviewing and improving the organizational activities and actions to enhance environmental performance.

ISO 14001 is an approach to environmental conservation. It is the first standard in the series of voluntary standards and guidelines published by the International Organization for Standardization, a worldwide organization of national standards bodies from over 110 countries.

A technical assistance grant from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) supports the DENR program. Two experts are jointly working with DENR in its implementation.

The pioneering activities of DENR EMS include the greening program which aims to integrate environmental considerations and resource conservation in all activities of the government agencies, and EMS initiators at the foreign-assisted and special projects.

The initial environmental review (IER) held late last year formally launched the DENR-EMS. The IER aims to determine whether existing policies, procedures and practices being implemented and used in the various units within the Department complies with the requirements of ISO 14001-based EMS.

On Nov. 11-13, 2003, representatives from key offices in the DENR central office participated in the EMS champions training. The "champions" will spearhead the implementation of the EMS in the Department and will be accountable in the effective and efficient execution of all activities towards ISO 14001 certification.