Saturday, January 10, 2009
[ sunstar.com.ph ]
By Ernie N. Olson Jr.
THE newly installed regional executive director of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is expected to take over his position Monday.
Primitivo Galinato Jr., who is to replace erstwhile DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director Samuel Peñafiel, was formerly detailed to the Legal Division of the DENR Forest Management Bureau.
In issuing a special order to reorganize all regional executive directors nationwide, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza pointed out that the DENR will not only be expected to exercise authority but also observe accountability.
Any illegal activity in their respective jurisdictions, especially illegal logging, illegal mining, and degradation of water bodies and protected areas, the REDs will be made responsible and liable. If warranted, charges will be filed against negligent DENR officials, stressed Atienza in his order.
"The reassignment of our regional executive directors is part of our continuing organizational development. No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expects from the department a more vibrant management of our environment and natural wealth, and we will do just that," he said.
He added: "While we have done so much last year, I believe we can do more. With the new team, I expect more effective environmental governance, particularly in the enforcement of environmental laws."
The newly installed regional executive directors are Corazon Davis - Region 1; Laureano Lingan Jr. - Region 2; Antonio Principe - Region 3; Jose Andres Diaz - National Capital Region; Nilo Tamoria - Region 4A; Marcial Amaro Jr. - Region 4B; Joselin Marcus Fragada - Region 5; and Ricardo Calderon - Region 6.
Also designated were Leonardo Sibbaluca - Region 7; Regidor de Leon - Region 8; Maximo Dichoso - Region 9; Ernesto Adobo Jr. - Region 10; Jim Sampulna - Region 11; Raquil-ali Lucman - Region 12; and Edilberto Buiser - Region 13.
Under DENR Special Order 2009-01, all the newly assigned REDs are directed to report to their new assignment on January 9.
As such, they were ordered to clear themselves from all accountabilities in their former assignments.
To emphasize their accountability to DENR resources, Atienza said the reshuffled officials are barred from bringing their service vehicles to their new assignments.
It was not made known where Peñafiel will be assigned in Atienza's order.
