Ormita, Ellen Jane L. NREL 000|4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

2019-0759 Atty. Arnaldo M. Espinas

Reaction Paper
Topic: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Reporter/Date Reported: Sylvia A. Banco | September 26, 2020
The report on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR”) studied
upon the DENR’s mandate, mission, vision, and its bureaus. The State recognizes the there is a need
to protect and enhance the quality of the country’s environment. Thus, Executive Order (E.O.) No.
1921 also known as Reorganization Act of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
which was approved and signed on June 10, 1987 by Former President Corazon C. Aquino was passed.
E.O. no. 192 states that: it is declared as policy of the State to ensure the sustainable use, development,
management, renewal, and conservation of the country’s natural resources, including the protection
and enhancement of the quality of the environment, and equitable access of the different segments of
the population to the development and use of the country’s natural resources, not only for the present
generation but for future generations as well.2

The DENR is mandated as the primary government agency responsible for the conservation,
management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources,
specifically forest and grazing lands, mineral resources, including those in reservation and 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.3 It is the DENR’s duty to assure the
availability and sustainability of the country’s natural resources through judicious use and systematic
restoration or replacement, whenever possible; Increase the productivity of natural resources in order
to meet the demands for forest, mineral, and land resources of a growing population; Enhance the
contribution of natural resources for achieving national economic and social development; Promote
equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors of the population; Conserve specific
terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present
and future generations4.

With such, I can say that the Reorganization of the DENR is a prompt and proper action to
address the State’s duty to protect and preserve our natural resources as well as protection and
sustainability of our environment. Also, it is the policy of the State, as enshrined in the constitution5,
that it shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature.6 DENR is the state’s arm to regulate the conservation of the
country’s natural resources, and to promote its sustainable development for the next generation. It

1
Reorganization Act of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Executive Order (E.O.) no. 192 (1987).
2 Section 3, E.O. no. 192 (1987).
3 Section 4, Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines (PHIL. CONST.) (1987)
6 Section 16, Article II, PHIL CONST. (1987)
was discussed that as the population in the country increases, we must undertake actions in order to
meet the needs of the present population in a such a way that it would not have a negative impact in
the future of our environment and natural resources.

The Bureaus under the DENR are: (1) Mines and Geosciences Bureau; (2) Forest Management
Bureau; (3) Land Management Bureau; (4) Biodiversity Management Bureau; and (5) Ecosystems
Research Management Bureau. With the help of these bureaus, the state can further produce
programs, as well as formulate rules and regulations in preservation of its natural resources and to do
in depth research as to the ways we could undertake to conserve our resources. Preventive measures
were also formulated in order to have secure the protection of our resources. An example of a
regulation is the securing of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), it is a document issued
by the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) that allows an environmentally critical
project (ECP) to operate. It further certifies that the proposed project or undertaking will not cause
significant adverse impacts on the environment. Laws and policies were also implemented to further
help the goal of the state to preserve, conserve and promote sustainability of our environment such
as: Presidential Decree No. 1586 – Environmental Impact Statement System; Republic Act 6969 -
Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990; Republic Act 8749 Clean
Air Act of 1999; Republic Act 9003 - Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000; Republic Act
9275 - Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004; Republic Act 9512 Environmental Awareness and
Education Act of 2008; Republic Act No. 10176 An Act Reviving the Observance of Arbor Day by
authorizing the Local Government Units the responsibilities for celebrating the day for tree planting
as an annual event; and many others.

Despite the existence of these laws, the evil sought to be prevented do not cease. Thus, in
support of this, one must always be vigilant as regards in following the guidelines provided by the
Department, may it be a simple opening of a store, or in buying a car. There are a lot of issues and
challenges being faced such as: water pollution; deforestation; air pollution; climate change, etc. which
if not addressed will be a major problem in the future. As a Citizen, we must take our stand to protect
the environment and not deprive the next generation of what they can have in the future—a clean
and healthy environment as envisioned by the DENR.