DENR to hold environmental law enforcement summit

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will hold the First National Environmental Law Enforcement Summit at SEAMEO-Innotech, Diliman, Quezon City on Aug. 21-23.

The summit aims to come up with a common vision, objectives, strategies and action plan to improve the Philippine environmental law enforcement system for the next five years. It will also clarify the mandate, roles, responsibilities and accountability of the various government agencies in the national and local levels in enforcing environmental laws; and develop team spirit and commitment to a shared agenda to strengthen and synergize environmental law enforcement.

The activity will also serve as venue for the sharing of lessons and best practices on environmental law enforcement programs from local and foreign experiences.

The summit will be attended by selected environmental law enforcers on wildlife, forestry, coastal and fisheries, and pollution and waste sectors representing the four hotspot locations, namely Palawan, Agusan del Norte, Visayan Sea and Metro Manila. Representatives from other national agencies and organizations will also be in attendance. It will be implemented in collaboration with DENR, USAID concerned agencies and offices. – Benny Enriquez