DENR – Ilocos Region – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu in his visit to Region 1 calls for the establishment of mini-forests/parks in every Local Government Unit (LGU) to help in the reforestation program of the government.

Sec. Cimatu met with the officials in the region headed by the Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo including the four (4) Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENRO) and seven (7) Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENRO) to ascertain how the ENR programs are being implemented in this part of the country.  “We should not be complacent in the performance of our duties to protect our environment particularly in this time of pandemic.  It is important that we strictly implement the environmental laws on Clean Air, Clean Water and Solid Waste Management” stated by Sec. Cimatu.  He also added that on top of the 3 major environmental laws to include in their priority list are the legislated Protected Areas (PA) and the National Greening Program (NGP). 

According to the DENR Chief, the establishment of mini-forests or parks in the municipalities will support the government’s efforts and initiatives for clean air and augment the timber requirement of the country.  This is also in line with the agency’s initiatives in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

He urged the key officials in the region to encourage the stakeholders and guide them on planting varieties of timber commodity that will help in promoting forestry investment and establish a good source of local wood to supplement the demand of the country.  Sec. Cimatu also directed the field officials to focus on planting 1-2 varieties for the NGP Plantations and look into strategies to sustain the protection and maintenance of these plantations.

The Secretary reminded that the field offices are the frontliners in the successful implementation of the agency’s programs and projects.  That “it is very important to always keep in mind the mission statement of the agency in mobilizing the citizenry in the protection, conservation and management of the environment and natural resources for the present and future generations.”

Sec. Cimatu is the brainchild of big environmental tickets like the Boracay Island and Manila Bay Rehabilitation and the Build Back Better project in Cagayan and Marikina Rivers.