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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. * 1574

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 directly handle environmental concerns of the local government unit
becomes readily apparent.

Section 484 (b) of the Local Government 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
tesources-related conservation and utilization acti
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 calamities © and —_—_disasters;

(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 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, | earnestly urge my esteemed colleagues in the
House of Representatives to join me in seeking immediate approval of this Bill.

OY M. LOYOLA
lepresentative
Fifth District of Cavite


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session
House Bill No._-_ 1574 _

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:

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:

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

1
2
3
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5 “ SEC. 484. Qualifications, Powers and Duties. (a) xxx
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8 governments.”

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10 SEC. 2. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
1 publication in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,