Tamoria

DENR-Calabarzon vows to enforce laws to conserve protected areas in the region

September 10, 2022 Joel dela Torre 427 views

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region IV (DENR-Calabarzon) has renewed its commitment to improving the implementation of environmental laws on protected areas in the region.

According to Region IV Executive Director and Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) chair Nilo Tamoria, the rapid growth and the protection of the country’s remaining fertile environment and nature would serve as an additional challenge for environmental officials.

Tamoria called on the PAMB members and all stakeholders to come together and protect protected areas.

“Let’s pool our talent and strength so that we can better protect and maintain the integrity of protected areas,” he said.

During the latest PAMB summit held in San Mateo, Rizal, the DENR-CALABARZON chief pointed out that the region’s large population, which has surpassed that of the National Capital Region (NCR), has a big impact on its protected areas and natural resources as many people depend on these resources.

Based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, of the country’s 17 regions, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) had the biggest population of 16,195,042, followed by NCR with 13,484,462 and Central Luzon with 12,422,172.

The summit’s theme “Sama-samang Pagpapatupad ng Batas Pangkalikasan sa Pinangangalagaang Pook Upang Protektahan ang Samut-saring Buhay para sa Sambayanang Pilipino,” is in line with the four-decision points presented by DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

These decision points include the establishment of natural resources geo-spatial database to manage the DENR’s readily available data, which can be useful in the implementation of government projects, investment in climate change adaptation and mitigation to avoid a decrease in the protection of direct and indirect losses including nature-based solution, the establishment of natural resources accounting system including valuation of ecosystem services, and improvement of compliance, monitoring and enforcement of environmental laws.

“Even before we held the 9th PAMB Summit, these decision points have already been submitted by our Secretary to the President. So these four decision points are exactly the theme of our Summit. This is contained in the sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development as the major thrust and direction of our department,” Tamoria said.

Around 100 delegates, including members of the PAMB’s 18 protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), Protected Areas Superintendents, and DENR-CALABARZON officials and personnel joined the summit, which was conducted in-person and online.

Calabarzon has 18 protected areas, nine of which are legislated, while nine are initial components of the NIPAS yet to be assessed for potential proclamation as regular NIPAS components and enactment into law.

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