DENR unveils 12-point agenda for development

Regional executive director Celso Loriega Jr. of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has bared the 12-point agenda of the department in support of sustainable development.

This is to strengthen measures to protect the environment, increase economic production through the responsible utilization of the country's natural resources and spread social equity among the majority, he said.

He added that the 12-point top concerns to be given emphasis as directed by DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes are in support to the principle of sustainable development.

In the local level, the priority activities until 2010 in support to the 12-point program are the restoration of the air quality in Metro Cebu, management of major river basins to generate water resources that are free from contamination, the providing of more economic opportunities and the control of flooding, improvement in management of solid waste, and the vigorous pursuing of forest development in watersheds, protected areas and other upland areas.

Under the sustainable exploration and development of the country's natural wealth, activities to be given focus are the intensifying of industrial tree plantations in degraded and idle areas especially agro-forestry utilizing fruit trees and cash crops and the revitalizing of responsible mining.

Activities under the promotion of social equity and protection of communities are the distribution of at least 31,860 hectares of alienable and disposable lands to poor households in the towns of Ginatilan, Carcar, San Fernando and Samboan for Cebu alone, restoration of the integrity of land titles through the computerization of land records, undertaking of social mobilization to ensure that communities are involved in the protection of the environment, prevention or the minimizing of loss of lives and properties during disasters through completion of the geo-hazard maps, as well as the promotion of transparency, efficiency and accountability in the conduct of work.

Loriega said that in consonance with the 12-point agenda, it is DENR's duty to allow the responsible utilization of the nation's natural resources to alleviate poverty through the creation of jobs.

And also to contribute to the economic growth and development of the country by attracting investments in the environment and natural resources sectors but not at the expense of the environment and our communities, he added.

The 12-point program's eventual goal is to realize a vision of the Philippines as "a country of lush forest, clear skies and water, and bountiful land." - Gregg M. Rubio