Creation of anti-environment crime task force welcomed

Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 regional director Celso Loriega Jr. has embraced the move to create the National Anti-Environment Crime Task Force that will investigate and prosecute violations against environmental laws.

Loriega said that the move to create such a task force will give a signal to all prevalent violators of environmental laws to think twice before committing acts inimical to the environment.

"While we espouse economic growth and development, this doesn't mean that the procedures and pertinent guidelines and principles of cohesive environmental measures should be negated. It is by these guidelines of the environmental laws that environmental disasters will be averted," he said.

Loriega added that these guidelines will ensure full cooperation of every citizen to help improve environment, good health, harmonious society and sustainable natural resource use and development.

Earlier, President Gloria Arroyo issued Executive Order 515 creating the National Anti-Environment Crime Task Force after seeing the need to drastically implement these environmental laws, which have long been enforced and violated as well.

NAECTF will be composed of representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, National Prosecution Office, Department of Transportation and Communications, and the Philippine National Police.

The powers and functions of the NAECTF found under Sec. 3 of EO 515 include enforcement of criminal provisions of PD 705 otherwise known as the Forestry Code, RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act, RA 8550 or the Fisheries Code, RA 7586 known as the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems and various laws and issuances affecting established and protected areas. - Jasmin R. Uy