HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

j
| RECEIVED
| DATE: gS. 2nis
Republic of the Philippines | TG f
fepublic of the Philippi Be
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ey: (iid

|
Quezon City, Metro Manila | ; |
| MATION UNIT i

Seventeenth Congress BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE
First Regular Session

House BiINo. 1125 _

Introduced by Honorable Roy M, Loyola

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was first introduced at the First Regular Session of the
Fifteenth Congress. It seeks to amend the Local Government Code by
making it mandatory for all provinces, cities and municipalities to appoint an
environment and natural resources officer.

‘As we face the effects of global warming and other equally alarming
environmental crisis, it is evident that there is a need to make immediate and
drastic measures to address such catastrophes.

In today's era of rapid growth, development and industrialization, the
environment oftentimes 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.

Taking into consideration the string of environmental calamities that
occurred recently, the need for a responsible officer with the required
expertise to direclly handle environmental concems of the local government
unit becomes readily apparent.

Section 484 (b) of the Local Goverment Code of 1991 provides, an
environment and natural resources management officer is tasked with the
following:

(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 as provided for under
Section 17 of this Code;


(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 environment and natural
resources programs and projects which the governor or mayor is
‘empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to
provide for under this Code;

(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the environment
and natural resources officer shall:

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

(ii) Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest
development projects and technical, financial and infrastructure
assistance;

(iil) Manage and maintain seed banks and produce seedlings for
forest and tree parks;

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

(v) Promote the small-scale mining and utilization of mineral
resources, particularly mining of gold;

(vi) 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 ~—calemiies += and -~—disasters;

(S) Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the governor or mayor,
as the case may be, on all matters relative to the protection,
conservaticn 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 environment
and natural resources officer, it could be said that his appointment is
indispensable to address the pressing environmental issues. Sadly, as our
law stands today, the appointment of the said officer still remains optional.

For these reasons, | eamestly urge my esteemed colleagues in the

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

M. LOYOLA


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

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__1196.

Introduced by Honorable Roy M. Loyola

AN ACT MAKING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENT 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:

1 SECTION 4. - Section 484 (2) of Republic Act No. 7160 as
amended, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991” is
hereby further amended as follows:

en

* SEC. 484. Qualifications, Powers and Duties.~ (a) xxx

“The appointment of the environment and natural resources
officer is foptional] MANDATORY for the provincial, city, and municipal
governments.”

Noon

SECTION 2. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
9 pubiication in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,