DENR-7: Foster advocacy on social justice

CORTES, BOHOL, Philippines  — Regional director Emma Melana of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 7 urged personnel of the agency to help promote social justice in serving their respective constituents via development programs and projects.

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez always stressed social justice, Melana told the DENR people during the turnover of commands of new officials of Bohol’s Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) at its new office in Cortes town, about eight kilometers north of Tagbilaran City.

Melana explained that social justice means the people or the community should benefit from these development projects, and not the rich. She also emphasized that Lopez does not tolerate corruption in the agency.

The new DENR-7 regional director also reminded personnel to be always courteous to the people and be responsive to complaints. “There will always be complaints, and attend to them, including other services, in the shortest time possible and establish a tracking system and not just leave them there after endorsement to other offices,” said Melana.

In a related development, Tagbilaran City’s Community Environment and Natural Resources officer (CENRO) Eusalem Quiwag is designated officer-in-charge of PENRO, replacing Nestor Canda, who is now assigned regional coordinator for Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD) project in Cebu. Siquijor’s Cenro Laurentino Bautista in turn succeeded Quiwag at CENRO.

The reassignment of DENR-7 officials is contained in Special Order No. 2017-206 dated March 03, 2017 and signed by OIC Undersecretary Philip Camara by authority of the secretary. But the implementation of the order only took effect during the turnover ceremony on March 13.

Others who attended the event were assistant regional director (ARD) for technical services Eduardo Inting and ARD for management services Trinidad Etulle, among other officials and employees of DENR-7.

SIAD, Melana said, has projects in Tuburan watershed in Cebu, Carood watershed in Bohol and another in Bantayan—all pet projects of the secretary.  (FREEMAN)