QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 192)
EO No. 192 is titled the “Reorganization Act of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.” It reorganizes the Department of Environment, Energy and Natural Resources and renames it as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
To ensure the sustainable use, development, management, renewal, and conservation of the country’s natural resources, including protection and enhancement of environmental quality and equitable access by different segments of the population—benefiting both present and future generations; and to recognize social and environmental cost implications.
The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources, and for licensing and regulations of natural resources to ensure equitable sharing of benefits for present and future generations.
Examples: (a) assure availability and sustainability through judicious use and restoration; (b) increase productivity of natural resources; (c) enhance natural resources’ contribution to national development; (d) promote equitable access; (e) conserve representative terrestrial and marine heritage areas.
DENR advises the President; formulates and supervises policies and programs; promulgates rules/regulations for exploration to disposition/use of natural resources; imposes payments/fees/charges/rentals and collects revenues; undertakes surveys; regulates development and disposition; and promulgates rules controlling pollution and sets ambient/effluent standards.
DENR has exclusive jurisdiction over management and disposition of all lands of the public domain, and is the sole agency responsible for classification/sub-classification, surveying, and titling of such lands (in consultation with appropriate agencies).
The National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC), the National Pollution Control Commission (NPCC), and the Environmental Center of the Philippines (ECP) are abolished, and their powers/functions are integrated into the Environmental Management Bureau.
It is under the Office of the Secretary. It is chaired by the Secretary, includes two (2) Undersecretaries designated by the Secretary, the Director of Environmental Management, and three (3) other members designated by the Secretary. It assumes pollution adjudication powers/functions under RA 3931 and relevant provisions of PD 984.
The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. The Secretary is appointed by the President and supervises the Department.
Five (5) Undersecretaries (Section 9) and seven (7) Assistant Secretaries (Section 10). The Assistant Secretaries handle areas including policy/planning, foreign-assisted projects, field operations by island group, legal affairs, and management services.
It serves as the DENR’s public information arm: disseminating info on policies/programs and responding to public queries. Public Affairs Offices of all bureaus are abolished and their functions are transferred to the central Public Affairs Office.
Forest Management Bureau; Lands Management Bureau; Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau; Environmental Management Bureau; Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau; Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. The last one primarily handles protected areas and wildlife.
The Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) and the Wood Industry Development Authority (WIDA) are integrated/absorbed into the Forest Management Bureau, except for line functions/powers transferred to the regional field office.
The Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences (BMGS), the Mineral Reservations Development Board (MRDB), and the Gold Mining Industry Development Board (GMIDB) are merged into the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, except line functions/powers transferred to the regional field office.
DENR has Environment and Natural Resources Regional Offices in thirteen (13) administrative regions, Environment and Natural Resources Provincial Offices in every province, and community offices in municipalities wherever necessary.
They implement laws/policies/programs and deliver services; coordinate with regional offices of other departments/agencies and LGUs for enforcement of conservation laws and formulation/implementation of programs; recommend and implement forestry/minerals/land management programs upon approval; and conduct natural resources inventories and supervision of processing/inspection of natural resources products.
Transferred functions include functions, appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, assets, liabilities, and personnel as necessary; personnel continue in hold-over capacity with salaries/benefits. Those whose positions are not included in the new staffing pattern or who are not reappointed are deemed separated from the service and receive benefits provided under Section 25.
They are deemed separated from service and receive retirement benefits under existing laws/rules, or otherwise are paid the equivalent of one (1) month basic salary for every year of service in government (or fraction thereof), computed on the basis of the highest salary received, but capped at the equivalent of twelve (12) months’ salary.
It takes effect immediately (Section 33). No change in the reorganization prescribed shall be valid unless there is prior approval of the President for efficiency/effectiveness in delivering public services (Section 28).