DENR chief implements broad revamp

Barely five months in office, Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes has implemented a broad revamp in the department, including the creation of a new office that would deal with the country’s water resources.

Reyes designated retired Army general Francisco Bravo as senior undersecretary and chief of staff with oversight functions on issues concerning the environment and forestry. He was also tasked to supervise issues concerning rivers and watersheds.

The Water Resources office was established after Reyes took over the responsibility of cleaning up the Pasig River.

Bravo, who was with the 51st Engineer Brigade of the Philippine Army, was designated as chairman of the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), which monitors the compliance of companies and infrastructures to environmental standards.

A licensed sanitary and civil engineer, Bravo is a registered engineer of the APEC and ASEAN.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Ramon Paje, who used to be in charge of the Forestry and Environment office, is now the undersecretary for mines.The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is under the Office of the Undersecretary for Mines.

Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio, who used to be in charge of the PAB, will supervise the Planning, Policy, Research and Legislative Affairs office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) while Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi will sustain supervision of the Land Management office.

Reyes designated Armi Jane Borje as undersecretary for legal affairs, Teresita Samson Castillo as undersecretary for field operations, and Joel Ferrer as undersecretary for management and technical services.

Retired general Roy Kyamko was appointed undersecretary for the National Anti-Environment Crime Task Force (NAECTF), which runs after violators of environmental laws.

Kyamko was the former commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Command, one of the biggest area command in the Philippines where a majority of the military forces are concentrated due to the presence of Muslim and communist insurgents, local bandits and terrorists.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mundita Lim and Horacio Ramos will return to their previous posts in the agency. They will re-assume directorship of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and MGB, respectively.