DENR Region XI

A total of 164 participants attended the provincial launching of the Regional People’s Hour (RPH) in the City of Mati, Davao Oriental held at the City Hall’s covered court recently.

RPH is one strategy being implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to provide the people with better access to the government. This strategy brings DENR closer to the people because it allows people to personally meet the department’s top officials to answer their queries and their concerns.

City of Mati Mayor Michelle N. Rabat, who was the guest speaker during the launching, expressed her commitment in preserving and protecting the environment of the city. Rabat expressed assurance to support the department’s campaign against illegal activities that lead to environmental degradation.

“I, together with my Vice Mayor Cesar R. De Erio, am committed to protect the environment and wage war against illegal logging and illegal mining in Mati City,” Rabat emphasized.

The mayor also lauded the DENR for their People’s Hour activity stating that it is an appropriate strategy to let the people know of the department’s important guidelines to direct them on what proper procedures to take.

Moreover, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Glenn Adonis M. Rico of Davao Oriental emphasized in his welcome message that RPH is also one way of letting the community know what DENR is doing in terms of protecting and managing the environment specifically in waging a war against illegal logging and illegal mining activities in the region.

He further urged the people to join the DENR in their crusade in fighting against illegal loggers and illegal miners in their province since Davao Oriental is home for the many protected landscapes and seascapes like Pujada Bay, Aliwagwag Falls and Mt. Hamiguitan to name a few.

During the said launching, land titles were also distributed to 100 patentees who came from Baganga and Mati. As land owners, they were reminded by the mayor to help the government in protecting and preserving the environment as well as to pay their property taxes so that the government can also continue to function in giving service to the people.

The distribution was facilitated by Pepita Landasan of the Registry of Deeds, Mayor Rabat, PENRO Rico, Narciso J. Samar from PENRO-LGU who represented the Honorable Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon and Forester Alfredo Zarasate who represented the Regional Executive Director Jim O Sampulna.

After the program, key officials from the different sectors accommodated all the queries of all the clients. Some of the issues being tackled during the interfacing were about small-scale mining for Indigenous People (IPs), needed permits for Wood Processing Plants, mangrove planting and the process for land titling application.

To also commemorate the World and National Wetlands Day which is being celebrated every February 2, a photo exhibit also highlighted the activity.