Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bit no,__ 6318

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “PINGPING” |. TEJADA, REP. RUDY S. CAOAGDAN, DPA,
AND REP. JOSELITO “JOEL” S. SACDALAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Province of Cotabato is endowed with rich natural resources, highly diverse
cultures, and is a strategic trading site in central Mindanao. It is considered as
Minadanao’s food basket. Among its major natural assets are the Mt. Apo Natural
Park, the Pulangi River, and the vast Liguasan Marsh which supplies a bounty of
freshwater fish and organic fertilizer and is considered as a possible source of natural
gas.

The province’s economy is traditionally based on farm production activities and
agribusiness that it substantially depends on the topography and geological features
of the land. Majority of the communities significantly rely on natural resources for
subsistence and livelihood that its viability is indispensable for the cultural survival
and well-being of communities, and sustainable development considerations —
including human health and safety aspects.

Under EO 192, s. 1987, the Department of Environment and natural Resources
(DENR) is the primary government agency responsible for conservation,
management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and
natural resources, specifically forest and grazing lands, mineral resources, including
those in reservation and watershed areas, and lands of public domain. The
Department is likewise responsible for the licensing and regulation of all natural
resource’s as may be provided for by law in order to ensure equitable sharing of the
benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present and future generations of
Filipinos. EO 192 also provides for the creation of Community Environment and
Natural Resources (CENR) offices which is responsible for the implementation of
DENR policies, programs, project and activities and the enforcement of ENR laws and
regulations in the district level

Apart from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), the
DENR in the Province of Cotabato is presently distributed into two (2) CENR’s which
is composed of CENRO Midsayap and CENRO Matalam, serving the three legislative
districts of the Province. Given the situation and the overwhelming need to promote


equitable access to natural resources and enhance its contribution in achieving
economic and social development in the Province of Cotabato, it is necessary to
reorganize the existing two (2) Community Environment and Natural Resources
Offices into three (3) separate CENR offices to provide a responsive environment and
natural resources services to the general public.

Hence the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. JOSE “PIN 1. TEIADA
3 District, Provificelof Cotabato

REP.



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5318

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “PINGPING” |. TEJADA, REP. RUDY S. CAOAGDAN, DPA,
AND REP. JOSELITO “JOEL” S. SACDALAN

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (CENR)
OFFICE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PRESIDENT ROXAS AND REAPPORTIONING THE
CURRENT CENR OFFICES IN THE PROVINCE OF COTABATO AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Establishment - There shall be Community Environment and Natural
Resources Office established in each of the legislative districts of the Province of
Cotabato to be apportioned as follows:

a) CENRO Midsayap — shall be composed of the Municipalities of Midsayap,
Aleosan, Libungan, Pigcawayan, Alamada, and Pikit, all in the First
Legislative District, Province of Cotabato;

b) CENRO President Roxas — shall be composed of the City of Kidapawan and
“the Municipalities of President Roxas, Makilala, Magpet, Antipas, and
Arakan all in the Second Legislative District, Province of Cotabato; and

c) CENRO Matalam — shall be composed of the Municipalities of Matalam,
Mlang, Kabacan, Carmen, Banisilan, and Tulunan, all in the Third Legislative
District, Province of Cotabato

Section 2. Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of Environment and Natural
Resources shall issue rules and regulations as may be necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.


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Section 3. Appropriations - The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources
shall immediately include in the programs of the Department the operationalization
of the CENR Offices in the Province of Cotabato, the initial funding of which shall be
charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DENR. Thereafter, the
amount necessary for the continued operation of the said CENR offices shall be
included’in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 4. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended or modified
accordingly.

Section 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved.