DENR issues warning vs. erring employees

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 head issued anew a stern warning against its officials and personnel who are engaged in any ‘irregular’ activities, particularly in the implementation of the national greening program in the region.

DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo made the move after receiving reports that some of the agency’s employees are involved or mentioned in crooked activities in the seedling production by selling them to a people’s organization or private partners who have an existing contract with the DENR-7.

Montejo cited certain provisions of Republic Act No. 6713 or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees” in a memorandum addressed to the four provincial environment and natural resources officers and six community environment and natural resources officers last July 17.

Similarly, he pointed out the prohibited acts, transactions and penalties, particularly on section 7A of the said law which states “public officials and employees shall not directly or indirectly have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of their office”.

Montejo said in a statement that he is duty-bound to exercise the full extent of the law and to impose administrative sanctions against erring employees without prejudice to the filing of criminal charges against the offenders if found guilty.

He added that there is now an ongoing investigation being conducted by the legal division on this matter.

In a related development, Montejo ordered the creation of a five-member team to conduct a continuous monitoring on the status of implementation of NGP on the establishment of plantations.

The team, which will start its assessment within this week, is led by Forest Resources Development Division chief Jose Cleo Colis of the Forest Management Services with foresters Ruth Alcaria and Ann Bueno, and two extension officers as members.

Montejo stressed that they are exerting their efforts not just to double but even triple it in order to really meet their balance of 19,610.43 hectares as they have already accomplished 20 percent of their target of 24,361 hectares as of July 19. — (FREEMAN)