Talisay creates CENRO office

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City council approved on third and final reading the proposed ordinance that seeks to create an office for the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO).

Councilor Bernard Joseph Odilao, chairman of the committee on environment, who authored the ordinance, said the office will institutionalize the delivery of services in relation to the environment and natural resources, particularly in the renewal and rehabilitation of the environment during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural calamities and disasters.

Except for minor amendments, which were incorporated in the final reading on the appropriation of budget, the ordinance passed without any hitches and heated debates.

Odilao, who expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, said that based on the 1991 Local Government Code (R.A. 7160) the LGU is empowered to establish/create the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

"It is stated in the Charter of the City of Talisay, an Environmental Office should be created to address concerns towards the environment. The primordial concern of the Local Government of the City of Talisay is for the protection of the General Welfare of its Constituents, such as but not limited to any form of man-made catastrophe," Odilao added.

"The importance of a CENR Office is imperative. The legislation of local ordinances and resolutions concerning our environment are in place, there is a need to have a focal or key person to implement such Local Environmental Laws, in terms of the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the environment and natural resources of the City of Talisay," he said.

Under the new law, the office will formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and provide technical assistance and support to the Mayor in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative to environment and natural resources services as provided for under Section 17 of the 1991 Local Government Code. The office will also develop plans and strategies on environment and natural resources programs and projects and implement the same upon approval thereof by the Mayor.

Also, the CENRO will be the frontline of the delivery of services concerning the environment and natural resources, particularly in the renewal and rehabilitation of the environment during and in the aftermath of man - made and natural calamities and disasters.

Odilao said the CENRO will recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the mayor on all matters relative to the protection, conservation, maximum utilization, application of appropriate technology and other matters related to the environment and natural resources.

With the new creation, it has one department head, administrative support division, forest, river ways and coastal environmental management division, citywide environmental management division, technical services/law enforcement (Task Force: Kalikopan). (FREEMAN)