DENR-7 welcomes group vs. environment crime

Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 regional director Celso Loriega, Jr. welcomes the creation of the National Anti-Environment Crime Task Force tasked to investigate and prosecute violations against environmental laws.

Loriega said that the move to create such task force will give a signal to all prevalent violators of environmental laws to think twice in committing acts inimical to the environment.

"While we espouse economic growth and development, this doesn't mean that the procedures and pertinent guidelines and principles of cohesive environmental measures should be negated. It is by these guidelines of the environmental laws that environmental disasters will be averted," he said.

Loriega added that these guidelines will ensure full cooperation of every citizen to help improve the condition of the environment, maintain good health, create harmonious society and adhere to sustainable use and development of natural resources.

Earlier, President Arroyo issued Executive Order 515 creating the National Anti-Environment Crime Task Force after seeing the need to drastically implement these environmental laws that had long been enforced and violated as well.

The task force will be composed of representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, National Prosecution Office, Department of Transportation and Communications, and the Philippine National Police.

The powers and functions of the task force found under Sec. 3 of EO 515 include enforcement of the criminal provisions of Presidential Decree 705, otherwise known as the Forestry Code; Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act; RA 8550 or the Fisheries Code, and RA 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems, and other various laws and issuances affecting established and protected areas. - Jasmin R. Uy