TARLAC CITY — Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Tarlac highlighted major accomplishments on the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the environment.
In a radio interview, DENR Tarlac Conservation and Development Section Chief Ferdinand Cabeso said that for 2018, the agency has strongly been implementing these accomplishments anchored on the 10 Priority Programs of Secretary Roy Cimatu.
“In compliance to Republic Act 8749 otherwise known as Clean Air Act, we have a regular coordination with the environmental officers of various local government units (LGUs) on the compliance monitoring of industries with smokestock and evaluating their environmental compliance certificate conditions by way of emission and air testing,” Cabeso said.
DENR likewise implemented Republic Act 9275 otherwise known as Clean Water Act through completion of river profiling of all water bodies in the province and strict monitoring in the operations of industries with Discharge Permit to ensure that water quality is within the agency standards.
“Aside from this, we also implemented the River for Life Program which identifies water bodies vulnerable to water pollution for rehabilitation to improve its water quality particularly Lucong River in Concepcion town,” he added.
“Pursuant to Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, DENR provided technical assistance to LGUs with approved 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan particularly Moncada, La Paz, Victoria, Anao, Camiling and the Provincial Government,” Cabeso stated.
In terms of Geo Hazard, Ground Water Assessment and Responsible Mining, Cabeso said that there is no mining industry in the province. Only sand and gravel are being quarried.
“Another accomplishment of DENR is the Forest and Watershed Management in the province because of the Enhanced National Greening Program wherein we have established a total of 22,936.37 hectares of plantations with 17,163,742 seedlings planted,” Cabeso disclosed.
DENR Tarlac likewise implemented Forest Protection and Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign wherein a total of 12,864.07 board feet of wood species were confiscated. Also, they maintain and monitor transported forest products, wildlife and mineral resources.
“For the Enhanced Biodiversity Conservation, we have regular monitoring of migratory birds at the 116-hectare Canarem Lake in Victoria town. Also, we provided assistance in the development of Mt. Tapulao as Eco-Tourism Destination in the province,” he added.
DENR Tarlac also assisted in the identification and geo-tagging of informal settler families along the waterways within the Manila Bay Region in coordination with the concerned LGUs.
“For Manila Bay Rehabilitation, DENR Tarlac conducted Community Forums with the affected informal settler families in coordination with the LGUs, and national government agencies such particularly Department of Public Works and Highways and National Housing Authority,” Cabeso shared.
DENR Tarlac also delineated area with Integrated Social Forestry at Masalasa and Ungot Creek with a total length of 16 kilometers.
“We will continue to perform the mandate of our agency responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources but we cannot do it alone. We also need the support and active participation of the citizenry in protecting, conserving, and managing the environment and natural resources for the present and future generations,” Cabeso furthered.