Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2734

Introduced by Representative Joseph Emilio A. Abaya,
Representative Erineo S. Maliksi, Representative Roy M. Loyola and
Representative Patricio T. Antonio

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to make appointment of an environmental and
natural resources officer mandatory in all provinces, cities, and
municipalities.

As we face the effects of global warming and other equally
disturbing environmental crisis, there is no denying the fact that there is a
need to make immediate and drastic measures to address the same.

In today’s era of rapid growth, development, and industrialization,
the environment often times takes the back seat. Countless times, we
have seen our countrymen fall victims to man-made disasters which could
have been prevented had there been sound environmental plans, policies,
and programs at the local government unit level

With more reason, taking into consideration the string of
environmental mishaps, disasters, and calamities that occurred in recent
times, the need for a responsible officer with the required expertise,
qualification, and specialization to directly handle environmental concerns
of the local government unit becomes readily apparent.

Under the law’, an environmental and natural resources
management officer is tasked with the following:

* Section 484 (b), Local Government Code of 1991


1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sanggunian
and provide technical assistance and support to the governor or
mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure
the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities
relative to environment and natural resources services;

2. Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the
governor or mayor, as the case may be, implement the same,
particularly those which have to do with environmental and
natural resources programs and projects which the governor or
mayor is empowered to implement and which the Sanggunian is
empowered to provide under the law:

3. In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the
environmental officer shall

a. Establish, maintain, protect and preserve communal
forest, watersheds, tree parks, mangroves, greenbelts,
commercial forests and similar forest projects, like
industrial tree farms and agro-forestry projects;

b. Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest
development projects and technical, financial and
infrastructure assistance:

¢. Manage and maintain seed banks and produce seedlings
for forest and tree parks;

d. Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest
development projects and render assistance for natural
resources-related conservation and utilization activities
consistent with ecological balance;

€. Promote small-scale mining and utilization of mineral
resources, particularly mining of gold;

f Coordinate with government agencies and non-
governmental organizations in the implementation of
measures to prevent and control land, air and water
pollution with the assistance of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources;

4. Be in 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 disasters and calamities;


5. Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the governor or
mayor, as the case may be, on all matters relative to the
protection, conservation, maximum utilization, application of
appropriate technology and other matters related to the
environment and natural resources; and

6. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and

functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance

In light of the foregoing duties and responsibilities of an
environmental and natural resources officer, it could be said that his
appointment is not only necessary but indispensable to address the
pressing environmental issues. Sadly, as our law stands today, the
appointment of an environmental and natural resources officer still
remains optional.

For theses reasons, | earnestly urge my esteemed colleagues in

the House of Representatives to join me in seeking immediate approval of
this Bill

HON, EPH EMILIOA. ABAYA

HON//ERINEO S. MALIK!

OY M. LOYOLA

HON. PATRICIO T. ANTONIO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House BillNo. 2734 |

Introduced by Representative Joseph Emilio A. Abaya,
Representative Erineo S. Maliksi, Representative Roy M. Loyola and
Representative Patricio Antonio

AN ACT MAKING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND
NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICER MANDATORY IN ALL
PROVINCES, CITIES, AND MUNICIPALITIES, AMENDING
SECTION 484 (a) of REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
OF 1991”.

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

SECTION 1. Section 484 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160, as
amended, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991” is
hereby further amended as follows:

“SEC. 484. Qualifications, Powers, and Duties. — (a) x x x

“The appointment of the environment and natural resources officer
is [optional] MANDATORY for the provincial, city, and municipal

governments”

SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,