Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no,8738

Introduced by Honorable LORNA P. BAUTISTA-BANDIGAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish , under the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, a Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Office (PENRO) in the Municipality of Malita, Province of Davao
Occidental.

At present, DENR Region XI has only four (4) PENROs in its
provinces and fourteen (14) Community Environment and Natural
Resources Offices (CENROs) in the different municipalities of the
region. The PENROs are located in Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte,
Compostela Valley and Davao del Sur.

Under Republic Act 10360, the new Province of Davao Occidental
was created from the Province of Davao del Sur consisting of the
municipalities of Sta. Maria, Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos,
and Sarangani. Davao Occidental commenced its corporate existence
upon the election and qualification of its first set of elective officials on
May 19, 2016 national and local elections. For almost two years, the
residents of Davao Occidental continue to depend on the services of
PENRO of Davao del Sur.

In view of the foregoing. and to further strengthen the
independence and sustain the operational efficiency of a newly created


province, it is but fitting and timely that a PENRO be established in the
Municipality of Malita, Province of Davao Occidental.

Hence, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly encouraged.

LORNA P. BAUTISTA-BANDIGAN


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no8738

Introduced by Honorable LORNA P. BAUTISTA-BANDIGAN

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND
NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE (PENRO) IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF MALITA, PROVINCE OF DAVAO
OCCIDENTAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Establishment of PENRO in Malita, Davao
Occidental. - There shall be established, under the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, a Provincial Environment and
Natural Resources Office in the Municipality of Malita, Province of
Davao Occidental, to be known as the Provincial Environment and
Natural Resources Office of Davao Occidental which shall exercise
jurisdiction over all municipalities of the province,.

SEC. 2. Transfer of Records and Assets. - The Secretary of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall transfer the

records, property, equipment, supplies and materials pertaining to the


jurisdiction and administration of the said Provincial Environment and
Natural Resources Office in accordance with existing laws and
regulations.

SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources shall include in the department’s program the
operationalization of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Office of Davao Occidental, the initial funding of which shall be
charged against the current year's appropriations of the Department of
Natural Resources, and thereafter, the succeeding funding shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following it publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,