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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO._5297

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “the State shall protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.” Moreover, “the State shall also ensure the autonomy of
local governments.”

A step towards the abovementioned policy directions is the creation of the
position of environment and natural resources officer as stated in the 1991 Local
Government Code. The environment and natural resources officer is the
deputized personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) tasked with the supervision and management of environmental affairs
of a particular locality. Unfortunately, such provision is merely permissive and
not mandatory on the part of the Local Government Unit concerned.

In order to give true meaning to the spirit and intent of the Constitutional
provisions, it is imperative that such position be declared mandatory in the
provincial, city, and municipal levels. This would then enable all local
government units to be properly represented by a competent environment and
natural resources officer not only to address pertinent issues and concerns
relating to the functions of said position, but also to ensure proper
implementation of policies, orders, and programs for the advancement of the
environment in their respective localities.


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Hence, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

“Pon

REP. VINI NOLA A.
Representative
ABONO Party-list

‘GA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 5297

AN ACT
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL
RESOURCES OFFICER IN ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS FROM THE
PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL LEVELS AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 7610, OR
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Mandatory Appointment of
Environment and Natural Resources Officer Act of 2017”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. -

It is the policy of the State to protect, advance, and promote the right of the
Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm
and harmony of nature. Moreover, it is the policy of the State to ensure the
autonomy of local government units.

In this regard, the State shall direct the mandatory appointment of
Environment and Natural Resources Officer in all local government units, from

the provincial, city, and municipal levels in order to discharge the duties and

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functions necessary for the protection, advancement, and promotion of the
environment of all localities concerned throughout the Philippines.

Section 3. Amendments of Sections 454, 463, and 484 of the Local
Government Code of 1991. - The pertinent provisions of the Local Government
Code are hereby amended and shall now be read as follows:

Section 444. The Chief Executive: Powers, Duties, Functions and
Compensation. —

Xxx

(b) For efficient, effective and economical governance the
purpose of which is the general welfare of the municipality and its
inhabitants pursuant to section 16 of this Code, the municipal mayor
shall:

(1) Exercise general supervision and control over all
programs, projects, services, and activities of the municipal
government, and in this connection, shall:

(xxi) APPOINT A MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICER.
XXX

Section 454. Officials of the City Government. —
Xxx
(b) In addition thereto, the city mayor SHALL APPOINT A
CITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICER,
AND may appoint a city architect, a city information officer, a city
agriculturist, a city population officer, and a city cooperatives officer.
Xxx

Section 463. Officials of the Provincial Government. —
XXX


144 (b) In addition thereto, the governor SHALL APPOINT A

145 PROVINCIAL NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
146 OFFICER, AND may appoint a provincial population officer, a
147 provincial cooperative officer, a provincial architect, and a provincial
148 information officer.

149 XXX

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152 Section. 484. Qualifications, Powers and Duties. -

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154 (a) No person shall be appointed environment and natural
155 resources officer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of
156 the local government unit concerned, of good moral character, a
157 holder of a college degree preferably in environment, forestry,
158 agriculture or any related course from a recognized college or
159 university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He
160 must have acquired experience in environmental and natural
161 resources management, conservation, and utilization, of at least five
162 (5) years in the case of the provincial or city environment and
163 natural resources officer, and three (3) years in the case of the
164 municipal environment and natural resources officer.

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166 The appointment of the environment and natural resources
167 officer is MANDATORY [optional] for provincial, city, and
168 municipal governments.

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170 OX

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173 Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid
174 or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision thereof shall
175 _ remain valid and effective.

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Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved