Atienza declares 2009 as Law Enforcement Year

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza has declared 2009 as Law Enforcement Year to emphasize the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ stepped-up campaign to protect the country’s environment and natural resources.

“For the rest of the year, we will give more dedication and seriousness in effort to protect the environment, including the land, air, water and forests, against environmental violators whom we will pursue guided by our environmental laws,” Atienza said.

Early this year, Atienza reshuffled the DENR regional executive directors nationwide, warning them that they are accountable for whatever environmental violations that may happen in their respective regions, provinces and municipalities.

Atienza said that the reorganization in the DENR is a continuing process, at the same time admonishing the officials on the “one-strike” policy the department is implementing. This means that only one verified report of any environmental violation, such as illegal logging or illegal mining happening in their respective areas is enough ground for the officials’ suspension.

“I will ensure that the full force of the law will be meted out against anyone who will violate the environmental laws because the certainty of punishment is the best deterrent to the commission of a crime,” Atienza said.

The DENR chief, however, said that due recognition will also be accorded to DENR officials who properly apply the full force of the law in their respective areas.

“I am confident that year 2009 can make the difference. Aside from the fact that we have 42 environmental laws that give us more teeth in our fight against environmental violators, the judiciary is also taking a more active role in protecting Nature and the country’s environment,” Atienza said.

To emphasize the enforcement thrust of the DENR, Atienza created the Environmental Law Enforcement Task Force (ELETF) headed by former Manila Police District Director Pedro E. Bulaong to strengthen DENR’s campaign against environmental law violations, especially against illegal logging.

Atienza recently met with stakeholders of Boracay and Calatagan and enjoined them to observe the rule of law, as in the case of two Supreme Court decisions that affirmed Proclamation No. 1064 classifying the land use in Boracay Island, and the directive for the Ayala-Zobel families to return portions of their 12,000-hectare Hacienda Calatagan landholding to the government.