MANDATE (E.O. 192, s.

1987) Promote human well-being and ensure environmental quality

The Department is the primary agency responsible for the conservation, management, Sustainably-managed environment and natural resources
development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources,
specifically forest and grazing lands, mineral resources, including those in reservation and Adaptive capacities of human communities and natural sytems ensured
watershed areas, and lands of the public domain, as well as the licensing and regulation of
all natural resources as may be provided for by law in order to ensure equitable sharing of
the benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present and future generations of
Filipinos. To accomplish this mandate, the Department shall be guided by the following
ENR DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLE 
objectives:
Good Governance
1. Assure the availability and sustainability of the country's natural resources through
judicious use and systematic restoration or replacement, whenever possible;
 Accountability, transparency, integrity, participatory and predictability
2. Increase the productivity of natural resources in order to meet the demands for forest,
mineral, and land resources if a growing population;  Ease of doing business

3. Enhance the contribution of natural resources for achieving national economic and Social justice
social development;
 Equity and gross national happiness
4. Promote equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors of the population;
and Social Entrepreneurship

5. Conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural Partnership with Civil Society
and cultural heritage for present and future generations.
Ecosystem integrity
VISION
Sustainable consumption and production
A nation enjoying and sustaining its natural resources and a clean and healthy
environment. Polluters pay

MISSION  Payment for ecosystem services

To mobilize our citizenry in protecting, conserving, and managing the environment and Rule of law
natural resources for the present and future generations.
Honoring global commitments
DEVELOPMENT GOAL
 
Human well-being, and environmental quality and sustainability ensured. 
KEY STRATEGIES
ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOMES 
1. Adoption of the watershed/river basin framework in planning
  Prioritizing areas within the watershed The monitoring of roadside and general ambient air quality is an essential activity by the
agency. This enables agencies and local government officers to assess the air quality in
 Forest Land Use Planning their area of jurisdiction and formulate a comprehensive policy / regulation for the
betterment of their locality. As the monitoring stations are spread in Metro Manila and other
highly urbanized cities, this gives better representation of the air quality nationwide. To
 Adopting soil and water conservation measures
deliver real time science based air quality monitoring data available to everyone, the
installation of Real Time Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations capable of
 Agroforestry systems monitoring complete criteria pollutants (SO2, NO2, O3, CO, BTX, and PM10/2.5) and
meteorological parameters are being implemented By making the results available on the
2. Closing open access areas of forestlands by granting appropriate tenure/ management website, anybody can see the status of air quality in their location and elsewhere. The
arrangement website is also equipped with layman description relating to the concentration of air
pollutant which enables non-scientific person to appreciate the information and apply it to
3. Convergence approach among NGAs, LGUs and CSOs their everyday lives. Partnership with host institutions/agencies will be encouraged for the
maintenance and security of the equipment. Full operationalization of airshed nationwide
4. Area management approach - an integrated area development where all basic societal and implementation of its action plan will be undertaken.
and economic services are delivered in an area for more impact
INTENSIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: CLEAN WATER
5. Capacity building of DENR frontliners, LGus, CSO partners, POs and docial
entrepreneurs6. IEC, advocacy and social mobilization7. Certification Systems SECRETARY CIMATU’S MAIN PRIORITY IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR
ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY OUR AIR, WATER AND ADDRESS SOLID WASTE
PROBLEMS. THUS, THE DENR WILL BE IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS.
INTENSIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: CLEAN AIR
FOR CLEAN WATER, OUR PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOLLOWING: 
SECRETARY CIMATU’S MAIN PRIORITY IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR (1) MONITORING OF THE COMPLIANCE OF FIRMS/INDUSTRIES; (2) CONDUCT OF
ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY OUR AIR, WATER AND ADDRESS SOLID WASTE CLASSIFICATION OF WATERBODIES; AND (3) DESIGNATION OF WQMAS
PROBLEMS. THUS, THE DENR WILL BE IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS. The program is implemented based on the established environmental laws specifically RA
9275, the Philippine Clean Water Act (CWA) that provides for a comprehensive strategy to
FOR CLEAN AIR, OUR PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOLLOWING: address the degradation of our waterbodies. It mandates the Bureau to formulate and
(1) MONITORING OF THE COMPLIANCE OF FIRMS/INDUSTRIES; implement policies and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to improve water quality
(2) OPERATIONALIZATION OF AIRSHED GOVERNING BOARDS; and in all parts of the country. It encourages pollution prevention and waste minimization at
(3)  CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS. source and provides for the use of economic incentives and public disclosure to ensure
compliance.
The program covers the full implementation of Clean Air Act. The objective of the Clean Air
Program is to come up with a comprehensive national program to achieve and maintain air
quality that meets the National Air Quality Guidelines for Criteria Pollutants throughout the
Philippines, while minimizing the possible associated negative impacts on the country’s
economy. Thus, in order to effectively monitor and regulate all sources of air emissions,
the Clean Air Program is divided into three sub programs: (1) Motor Vehicle Emission
Management Program, (2) Industrial Emission Management Program, (3) Roadside
ambient and general ambient air monitoring. This is to effectively manage the three
sources of air emission namely mobile, stationary, and area sources.
The program aims to improve water quality of Priority Rivers and other critical water bodies establishment of Materials Recovery Facilities, and an environmentally sound disposal
including lakes and bays through continuous massive clean-up, monitoring of industries system.
and rehabilitation of esteros/rivers through partnership agreements such as the Adopt-an-
estero program. Water classification is a very important component of water quality The issuance of Guidelines and provisions of technical support in the establishment and
management since the application of effluent standards are dependent on this operation of Waste To Energy facilities will enhance the sustainability of disposal system
classification. The classification of waterbodies helps water managers and planners to for municipal residual wastes to all provinces and highly urbanized areas. The significant
develop proper water quality management programs and provide the standards to protect contribution of this project is expected to enhance the economic development of the
aquatic life and human use of specific water bodies. Operationalization of water quality country through formalizing the waste collection and recycling, and promotion of job
management areas (WQMAs) will also be prioritized. opportunities. It also helps the economy to reduce reliance on imported oils and increased
in power generation. 
Disclosure programs such as beachwatch and industrial and industrial ecowatch will be
pursued. ENHANCED NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM 

Manila Bay, however, is still a serious concern because of its high fecal coliform level. SECRETARY CIMATU’S MAIN PRIORITY IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR
Hence, the Supreme Court issued a continuing mandamus to the DENR, other concerned ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY OUR AIR, WATER AND ADDRESS SOLID WASTE
government agencies and LGUs to clean, rehabilitate and restore Manila Bay and restore PROBLEMS. THUS, THE DENR WILL BE IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL
its water quality to Class “SB” level that is fit for swimming, skin diving and other forms of PROTECTION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS.
contact recreation.
FOR ENHANCED NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM (E-NGP), OUR PRIORITY
INTENSIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOLLOWING: (1) REHABILITATION OF 1.2 M HECTARES OF
DENUDED FOREST LANDS BY 2022; AND 2)  MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION OF
SECRETARY CIMATU’S MAIN PRIORITY IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR EXISTING FORESTS.
ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY OUR AIR, WATER AND ADDRESS SOLID WASTE
PROBLEMS. THUS, THE DENR WILL BE IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL The National Greening Program or the NGP as the DENR banner program is a
PROTECTION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS. convergence initiative of DA-DAR-DENR where the DENR stands as the lead agency. As a
government priority pursuant to EO Nos. 23 and 26, both series of 2011, the NGP aims to:
FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, OUR PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ARE THE 1) contribute in reducing poverty among upland and lowland poor households, indigenous
FOLLOWING: (1) CLOSURE OF DUMPSITES; AND (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF peoples, and in coastal and urban areas; 2) implement sustainable management of natural
MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITIES (MRFS) resources through resource conservation, protection, and productivity enhancement; 3)
provide food, goods and services such as timber, fiber, non-timber forest products,
The Philippines has endeavored to improve its management of solid waste through the aesthetic values, air enhancement values, water regulation values, and mitigate climate
passage of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act that provides for a change by expanding forest cover that serve as carbon sink; 4) promote public awareness
systematic, comprehensive and ecological waste management program to ensure the as well as instill social and environmental consciousness on the value of forests and
protection of public health and the environment.  It mandates the bureau to provide watersheds; 5) enhance the formation of positive values among the youth and other
secretariat support to the National Solid Waste Management Commission in the partners through shared responsibilities in sustainable management of tree plantations and
implementation of the solid waste management plans and prescribes policies to achieve forest resources, and 6) consolidate and harmonize all greening efforts of the government,
the objectives of the National Ecology Center that is in charge of information civil society, and the private sector.
dissemination, consultation, education and training of various local government units on
ecological waste management. Executive Order No. 26, series of 2011 was issued to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million
hectares of lands of the public domain for a period of six (6) years from CY 2011 to CY
The ecological solid waste management program is expected to assist Local Government 2028.
Units in implementing RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act particularly
in the development of their 10 yr. SWM Plan, closure and rehabilitation of dumpsites,
Executive Order No. 193 was signed on November 12, 2015, the Expanded NGP will geohazards mitigation and reduction. Hand in hand with the intensified IEC effort, updating
rehabilitate all the remaining unproductive, denuded and degraded forestlands estimated and re-assessment of the geohazard mapping would be undertaken over
at 7.1 million hectares from 2016 to 2028. municipalities/cities affected by recent or resurgent natural events. This will be particularly
important over regions located alongthe Eastern Seaboard of the country which are
INTENSIFIED FOREST PROTECTION AND ANTI-ILLEGAL LOGGING traditionally prone to these events. To further optimize the usefulness of the geohazards
maps, Risk analysis and Vulnerability assessment would be undertaken over highly critical
PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOLLOWING: (1) NEUTRALIZE ILLEGAL LOGGING and priority areas of the country. Starting with 35 municipalities/cities in Y2015, the
HOTSPOTS; (2) FOREST FIRE PREVENTION; AND (3) CONTINUOUS FOREST program would cover 200 nationwide in 2016 to provide the necessary technical inputs to
PATROLLING THRU LAWIN SYSTEM LGUs for the updating and modification of the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs),
project development and disaster preparedness, management and mitigation programs.
These shall integrate climate change impact and establishment of community-based early
warning systems.
GEO-HAZARD, GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSIBLE MINING
The sub-surface assessment was also initiated in 2015 to determine subsidence hazards
and sinkhole in karst areas. It was done in response to the 7.2 intensity earthquake that hit
SECRETARY CIMATU’S MAIN PRIORITY IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR Bohol in 2013. Fifteen (15) cities/municipalities in the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Iloilo,
ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY OUR AIR, WATER AND ADDRESS SOLID WASTE Benguet and Davao del Norte have been prioritized in 2015. Another 15
PROBLEMS. THUS, THE DENR WILL BE IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL cities/municipalities is targeted annually starting 2016 and beyond.
PROTECTION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS.
Coastal geohazard assessment on areas which are highly and critically prone to erosion
FOR GEO-HAZARD, GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSIBLE MINING, and accretion of the country starts Y2015 with 166 coastal cities/municipalities. Universe of
OUR PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOLLOWING: (1)REHABILITATION OF 844 coastal cities/municipalities are expected to be completed by Y2019. Inputs on these
ABANDONED MINES; AND 2)  ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL GEO-HAZARDS AND are relevant on the concerns relating to shoreline shift and relative sea level changes due
GROUND WATER RESOURCES. to impact of climate change.

 This program intends to capacitate communities to their adaptation to geologic hazards, 2. Groundwater Resource Assessment
as well as provide them critical data on groundwater resources. The program has two (2)
components, namely:
The National Groundwater Resources and Vulnerability Assessment is conducted to
determine the availability of groundwater resources and the threats to contamination and
1. Geohazard Assessment depletion.

The National Geohazard Assessment Program was implemented to generate information It covers two main aspects: the resource assessment component, and the vulnerability
on susceptibility of areas to geologic hazards. The assessment is focused on rain-induced component. Areas that are periodically affected by water shortages and those whose water
landslides, floods, flashfloods, ground subsidence or sinking, and other forms of slope supplies that are under constant threat of depletion and water quality deterioration shall be
instabilities that are not directly induced by earthquakes or volcanic activities. A 1:50,000 prioritized. It shall cover a regional assessment (per province for Y2016-2019) and a local
scale geohazards assessment program was completed in 2010 while the detailed assessment  (per municipality levels for Y2019 onwards). In terms of the regional scale,
geohazard assessment in the 1:10,000 scale was completed in 2014. Thus, the the program shall generate a 1:250,000 scale hydrogeologic and groundwater availability
assessment of the 1,634 cities/municipalities of the entire country was already completed. maps and update the existing ones. Field surveys and mapping on the city/municipal scale
shall be carried out on a 1:50,000 scale or better depending on the needs of particular
Complementation activities are carried out with other national government agencies to sites or areas. This will integrate climate change impacts in some critical areas that will be
address other hazards that are also of critical importance in terms of impact. For Y2015 identified during the assessment such as changes in sea level which might affect
and onwards, the Program will concentrate on the massive campaign to disseminate the groundwater resources in the coastal areas and effect of the reduction in the recharge of
digitized geohazards map sheets (at 1:10,000 scale) to 42,029 (NSO 2014) barangays the groundwater due to drought. Particular emphasis will also be placed on characterizing
nationwide complemented with massive information and awareness campaigns on
the vulnerability of the groundwater resource to human impact on the environment such as  
over-extraction, pollution from industries and deterioration of viable aquifers or reservoirs
due to land degradation and surface development. It aims to restore the water quality of Manila Bay in accordance with the Writ of Continuing
Mandamus of the Supreme Court.
This ensures the implementation of responsible mining practices in the minerals industry. It
involves the monitoring of mining permits/contracts to determine their compliance with the ***********************
Safety and Health, Environment and Social (SHES) provisions of the Mining Act of 1995,
as well as the approved exploration/development/construction/operating work programs. PRIORITY ACTIVITY IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPERATIONAL PLAN FOR THE
The audit of the SHES and work program monitoring system is also a component of this MANILA BAY COASTAL STRATEGY 2017-2022
strategy. To further ensure the compliance of mining permits/contracts, the
operationalization of Multipartite Monitoring Teams is also undertaken. Illegal mining
On January 27, 2019, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu officially declared the start of the
activities are addressed thru the issuance of cease and desist orders, and the consequent
Manila Rehabilitation at the Baywalk in Manila.  On hand to witness the declaration, and
filing of charges in the Provincial/City Prosecutor’s Office. Lastly,
also joined in the earlier event of Solidarity Walk  from the Quirino Grandstand to the
complaints/cases/conflicts are likewise addressed. 
staging area (Baywalk), were about 5,000 individuals, mostly representing the 13
Mandamus agencies, local government units, and private sector.

Calling it the “Battle for Manila Bay,” Cimatu, a former Armed Forces chief, said:  “This is
ENHANCED BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION one battle that will be won not with force or arms, but with the firm resolve to bring Manila
Bay back to life.” 
PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOLLOWING: (1) ESTABLISHMENT OF ECO-
TOURISM AREAS; (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF CRITICAL HABITATS; AND He added:  “With the commitment and determination of every Filipino to do his share in this
(3) ESTABLISHMENT AND DISESTABLISHMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS. rehabilitation effort, we have already won the battle for Manila Bay.”

MANILA BAY REHABILITATION 

SCALING UP OF COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEM PROGRAM  Phase 1- Cleanup/Water Quality Improvement

PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOLLOWING: (1) DEVELOPMENT OF BIO-DIVERSITY  Cleanup of designated esteros and waterways;
FRIENDLY ENTERPRISES; (2) MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION OF COASTAL AND  Reduce fecal coliform level and toxic discharges from houses and establishments
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS; and (3) .CORAL REEF AND SEA GRASS ASSESSMENT
by causing connection to existing STPs and requiring STPs for gov’t, commercial,
industrial, and educational establishments;
 Inspect and repair leaks in old sewer lines;
 Provide temporary sanitation facilities to informal settlers residing along esteros
IMPROVED LAND ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT and shorelines pending relocation;
 Implement solid waste management; and
PRIORITY ACTIVITY IS THE ISSUANCE OF RESIDENTIAL AND AGRICULTURAL FREE  Start planning for the relocation of informal settlers
PATENTS
Phase 2 – Rehabilitation and Resettlement

 Rehabilitation of old sewer lines in NCR

MANILA BAY CLEAN UP PROGRAM o Relocation of informal settlers
o Ensure completion of 340 MLD of Maynilad and Manila Water by 2022
Phase 3 – Education and Sustainment swimming and skin diving, etc., and as spawning areas for Chanos chanos or
bangus abd similar species.
 Continuing education of citizens to protect the gains 3. The 13 Mandamus agencies are as follows: 
 Sustained law enforcement and monitoring  DENR
 Fast tracking/ Earlier completion of the sewerage system in Metro Manila from  DILG
2037 to 2026  DepEd
 DOH
The Manila Bay Area:  DA
 DPWH
1. The Manila Bay area covers eight (8) provinces and 178 local government units in  DBM
three regions of the country, namely: National Capital Region (NCR), Region III,  Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
and Region IV-A.  Of the eight provinces, four are coastal (Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite  Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG)
and Pampanga); four are non-coastal (Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Rizal and Tarlac).  Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
2. Its drainage area covers 1,994 km2, or 199,400 hectares.  Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
3. Its coastline measures some 190 kilometers.  Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)
4. There are 17 principal river systems draining to Manila Bay, namely:  Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)
 Angat River 4. For the DENR, the SC ordered the agency to:
 Bocaue River  Fully implement its Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy
 Maria River (OPMBCS) that are within its mandate pursuant to Executive Order No. 192, s.
 Marilao River 1987;
 Meycauayan  Regularly coordinate with mandamus agencies and other concerned agencies
 Meycauayan-Valenzuela River involved in management of Manila Bay on effective implementation of OPMBCS;
 Pasig River  Pursuant to Sec. 19 of RA 9275, manage water quality of Manila Bay thru
 Parañaque River standards setting, regular monitoring and determination of Water Quality
 Imus River Management Areas (WQMA).
 Ylang-ylang River 5. The Mandamus likewise orders the dismantling and removal of illegal structures
 Rio Grande along the following waterways:
 Cañas River  Pasig-Marikina-San Juan Rivers
 Obando River  NCR (Paranaque-Zapote, Las Pinas) Rivers 
 Navotas-Malabon-Tinajeros-Tullahan River  Navotas-Malabon-Tullahan-Tinajeros and connecting waterways and esteros in
 Talisay River Metro Manila
 Guagua River  Rivers in Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite and Laguna de Bay   and other rivers connecting
waterways and esteros that discharge wastewater into the Manila Bay
 Pampanga River
6. Other facts and figures about Manila Bay
 Only 15% (2.4M/16.3M) of the water-served population in the NCR are connected
SC Mandamus on Manila Bay to a sewerage system and about 3.84% (187,000/4,863,938) of water served
population outside the NCR are provided with sanitation services;
1. On Dec. 18, 2016, the Supreme Court issued SC Mandamus on Manila Bay (G.R.  Almost 233,000 informal settler families (ISFs) are residing along the waterways of
171947-48) directing 13 government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate, and the Manila Bay area, directly discharging their wastes to the water;
preserve Manila Bay, and restore and maintain its waters to SB level to make them  Only about 76% (135/178) of LGUs have approved 10-Year Solid Waste
fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation. Management Plans
2. DENR Administrative Order No. 34 of 1990 defines coastal and marines waters
under Class SB classification as areas regularly used by the public for bathing,