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| Forging
a lasting and peaceful solution to the
Mt. Diwalwal problem ending the 20 year
conflict. |
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As a former senator and member of the House of Representa-tives,
Heherson T. Alvarez succeeded in getting important
social and environmental laws passed. The Clean
Air Act and the National Integrated Protected Areas
System Act are just a couple of landmark legislation
he helped guide through the legislative mill. He
was also instrumental in the ratification of important
environmental treaties.
His appointment as Secretary of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in March
2001 gave him the opportunity to administer these
laws and treaties.
In addition to nurturing the seeds he planted in
the legislative branch of government, Alvarez viewed
his leadership of the DENR as an opportunity to
respond to the Filipino people's demand for good
governance and poverty reduction.
As DENR Secretary, Alvarez implemented initiatives
aimed at making the DENR a more efficient and effective
agent for sustainable development in this new millennium.
The Department acquired a clear-cut policy direction
under his leadership. He adopted new thrusts and
directions, particularly on poverty alleviation.
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| Assisting
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in
planting fruit-bearing trees. |
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He established cooperative ties with civil society
and the private sector. He restored the confidence
of the foreign door community in assisting the
DENR. He pursued reforms that restored meritocracy,
transparency, and decision-making based on social
acceptability, rules, and science.
From March 2001 to December 2002, the DENR, under
Alvarez's leadership, accomplished the following:
1. Vigorously Protected, Rehabilitated and
Expanded our Natural Resource Base:
Reforested 45,567 hectares of open and
denuded areas (including watersheds) with approximately
113.9 million trees which will eventually bring
many benefits to our people.
A single mature tree holds 80 to 100
gallons of water. The area reforested therefore
will eventually yield a supply amounting to 7.3
to 9.1 billion gallons of water. This is equivalent
to 172 million drums, critical for our irrigation,
power, and potable water needs.
The reforested area will also be capable
of absorbing 4,553,600 tons of carbon (based on
estimate of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change that 50% of the wood being produced by
trees is carbon). This will lead to a cleaner
and healthier air quality and help mitigate global
warming.
The reforested area will allow for the
return of many forest-dwelling wildlife species
enhancing biodiversity in an area the size of
Mt. Kitanglad Range Protected Area which is home
to the endangered Philippine Eagle, and lessen
the threat of soil erosion, flooding, and siltation.
To speed up reforestation and at the same time
attract investments, the DENR pursued the establishment
of large-scale industrial tree plantations, starting
with a 120,000 hectares co-production sharing
agreement with a consortium of foreign and local
investors in CARAGA. This is expected to generate
US$100M in investments, create jobs and income,
and enhanced livelihood opportunities in the uplands.
Established an initial 17 nurseries nationwide
using clonal technologies. This will speed up
production of premium timber species (like narra,
almaciga, etc), fruit trees and ornamental trees
and supply massive amount of trees of our reforestation
efforts and private tree plantations. The technology
will generate superior planting seedlings in 45
days compared to 4-6 months using regular technology.
Its tree production capability is also 300% better.
This innovation will lead towards doing away with
wood importation and even allow for exports.
To protect our forests and deter further destruction,
the DENR aggressively pursued the enforcement
of forestry laws and hit hard on those responsible
for the despoliation of our forest.
Confiscated a total of 21,126 cubic meters
of illegally-cut forest products valued at P63M,
the highest over a three year period. This is
equivalent to about 900 fully-loaded 10-wheeler
trucks.
Filed 323 cases in court against these
violators.
To prevent encroachment in our forest
areas, the DENR delineated and monumented 4,833
kilometers of forest boundaries.
Pushed for the enactment of the Chain
Saw Act which gives teeth to the DENR in going
after illegal loggers by regulating chain saws
used in the pillage of our forests in the same
way that guns are regulated to minimize or curb
crime.
To further protect and enhance our rich
biodiversity, the DENR facilitated the passage
into laws of 4 protected areas: Batanes Protected
Landscape and Seascape in Batanes Islands, Mt.
Kanlaon Natural Park in Negros Occidental, Northern
Sierra Madre Natural Park in Isabela and Sagay
Marine Reserve in Negros Occidental.
Facilitated the passage into laws of
Wildlife Resource Conservation and Management
Act and the Cave Resources Act and signed ten
(10) agreements with local and international institutions
for the protection of our endangered species.
These are expected to protect our wildlife, which
are critical for the propagation of plants and
trees, control of agricultural pests, and sources
and food and livelihood.
For our coastal areas, we rehabilitated and instituted
a more rational management of our coastal resources.
Rehabilitated 164 hectares of degraded
mangroves and established an additional 10,473
hectares of mangrove plantation. As sanctuary
of our marine resources, these are expected to
propagate fish species and increase the catch
of small fishermen.
To complement coastal development, the
DENR is pursuing the capability building of coastal
communities and LGUs to effectively manage their
coastal resources through our Coastal Resources
Management Program in 81 sites nationwide.
2. Protected the Quality of the Environment:
Implemented a strict enforcement of standards
for hazardous waste and toxic chemicals. The DENR
was able to reverse the steep increase in the
importation of ozone depleting substances or ODS
(e.g., freon for airconditioners) that went beyond
the Country Program during the last administration.
ODS depletes the ozone layer in the atmosphere
and allows the entry of substantial dose of ultra
violet rays that cause skin cancer and blindness,
among others. In 2000, ODS importation went beyond
the maximum quota of 20.0%. For year 2001, ODS
importation was only 65.0% of the allowable quota.
We are now back on track with the Country Program
to eliminate ODS by 2010.
Strictly monitored hundreds of hazardous
waste generators and intercepted illegal shipments
of toxic chemicals. With the Bureau of Customs,
the DENR raided a warehouse with illegally imported
29,835.2 kilos or 29.83 metric tons of ODS amounting
to P2.56 million. This was the first seizure of
ODS ever made.
Issued sixty six (66) Cease and Desist
Orders (CDOs) for violations of environmental
laws and withdrew the Environmental Compliance
Certificates (ECCs) and permits of projects like
the Pulupandan Coal Power Plant and Aglubang Mining
Corporation that were found to be potentially
harmful to the environment and threaten the health
of the people.
Completed the Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) of the Solid Waste Management
Act of 2000. In line with the law and to safeguard
the health of the population, the DENR closed
down 20 dumpsites of 9 municipalities and 5 cities.
The DENR also assessed 205 potential landfill
sites and assisted 131 LGUs in converting to a
safer and less polluted controlled dumpsites.
For next year, JBIC has provided US$206 million
in soft loans to enable 47 cities and municipalities
to achieve an integrated solid waste management
program.
Negotiated successfully for the payment
of damages and rehabilitation by Placer Dome Technical
Services amounting to US$13.0M for the Marcopper
disaster. The President advanced P20M for a technical
study by the US Geological Service on how to best
clean up and rehabilitate the river system in
Marinduque. The DENR also established a P197M
liability and rehabilitation fund for environmental
protection and monitoring of mining sites.
Strongly advocated for the utilization
of cleaner energy fuels. The DENR is at the forefront
of advocacies for the use of natural gas and bio-diesel
as fuel for vehicles. The Department received
support from the various transport groups in the
use of cleaner fuels, especially from the Inter-City
Bus Operators Association and Integrated Metro
Manila Bus Operators Association.
Signed a Memorandum of Agreement with
Senbel Fine Chemicals Co. Inc. and Total Petroleum
Corporation for a joint project in the utilization
and distribution of biodiesel, a mixture of coconut
oil and diesel that substantially reduces the
emission from motor vehicles, first for all DENR
vehicles and next, to nationwide distribution
centers.
3. Provided Wider, More Equitable Access
to Natural Resource to All:
For the marginal fishermen, the DENR promoted equitable access to
coastal resources. The Department established
the 15-kilometer municipal coastal boundary for
almost 900 coastal communities, through Department
Administrative Order (DAO) No. 17, in June 2001.
This reserves municipal waters for the use of
small-scale fishers who operate boats of less
than 3 gross tons.
This is expected to result in increased catch
for about 1.3 million small fishermen and further
benefit 7 million people that the fishermen directly
support, without resorting to destructive fishing
methods. It may be noted that a 2-hour operation
of a commercial fishing vessel is equivalent to
the small fisherman's 6-month catch.
In addition, this policy of exclusivity will allow
for the rehabilitation and regeneration of coral
reefs and coastal ecosystem, which will result
to enhanced fish population and thus higher catch
and income.
Allocated 160,588.95 hectares of alienable
and disposable public lands to 124,200 families
or about 621,000 family members. This is 150%
of the target and commitment of the President
during her State of the Nation Address (SONA)
last year. The DENR surpassed its batting average
of 45,000 hectares per year over the last five
years. Most of the public lands allocated were
in Mindanao.
In addition, the DENR directed the distribution
of land patents covering 103,943 hectares benefiting
83,883 beneficiaries or families. The beneficiaries
are now guaranteed ownership and security of tenure
to the land they are residing and cultivating,
a direct form of social justice. In addition,
we distributed land titles covering 52,909 square
meters to 313 World War II veterans in Makati,
and for the first time in 25 years, we distributed
some 192 Townsite Sales Applications covering
97,522 square meters in Baguio City. Around 200,000
hectares of untitled private agricultural land
will now also be acquired and redistributed to
qualified beneficiaries under the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program.
Meanwhile, we have assisted in the formulation
and passage in Congress of the Extension of the
Free Patent Act allowing for the filing of free
patents or the titling of agricultural lands,
until December 31, 2020. This enables government
to continue distributing lands to poor farmers
and the landless. We also intensified our drive
against illegal land titles, investigated 1,470
land cases and filed 843 reversion cases with
the Office of the Solicitor General.
Established an additional 71 Community-Based
Forest Management Projects or CBFM covering 226,003
hectares. The CBFM provides security of tenure
to the settlement of an upland community, designates
them as stewards and grants them the privilege
of utilizing forest products in their areas. This
brings to 4,956 the total CBFM areas nationwide
covering 5.7M hectares and benefiting 496,165
households or roughly 2.7 million individuals.
Mt. Diwalwal: Broadening Beneficiaries
of Nation's Wealth
A typical case of the new DENR approach
is the Mount Diwalwal issue. It is a case of social
justice in favor of the poorer segments of the
population in an environmentally critical industry
that is now designed to be clean, safe, and productive.
The Mt. Diwalwal issue has dragged on unresolved
for 19 years. The Arroyo administration has shown
the necessary political will to finally solve
the escalating problems of pollution, criminality,
lawlessness and insurgency, health and safety
hazards, social dislocations and injustices in
the area. The DENR has been directed to take over
the management of the area.
To stop the escalating violence, pollution and
health related problems and secure the area, the
DENR declared an emergency situation and stopped
all mining operations with the assistance of the
Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP). A central tailings pond
and engineered dams will be constructed to contain
all the pollution coming from the mining activities,
in an adjacent area that will be cost about P50M.
The DENR delineated an area of mineral processing
plants and common tailings disposal system.
To commence the mining operations in an equitable
manner, the DENR started to contract out the mining
operations to some 20 small-scale miners cooperatives.
The DENR intend to rent to them the tunnels of
existing big mining companies in the area; thereby
generating income for these companies as well.
In addition, and under the service contracts,
the income sharing will be 85% for small miners
and 15% for the government. Previously, the small
miners only got 40% from the big mining operations.
Deliveries of the government ore share collections
started in September 17, 2002 and October 2002.
In December 2002, government has a gross receipts
of P3.789 million from the sales of its ore share
to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas - Davao City.
4. Restored the Confidence and Enhanced
the Status of the Philippines in the World Arena:
The past 1 ½ years saw the restoration
of confidence in the Department by the international
donors community. In a matter of only one year,
the DENR was able to generate some P2.7B in international
funding.
Prevented the termination of critical
foreign-assisted projects by international funding
institutions due to poor performance. In the case
of the Forestry Sector Project, the DENR prevented
the cancellation of US$30M by the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation
(JBIC) when the DENR reversed the accomplishments
of the Project from a poor 38.0% in 2000 to 90.2%
in 2002.
Reinvigorated and turned-around the
operation of the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
Project at a time when the World Bank was contemplating
cancellation due to perceived mismanagement and
missing funds. These two are now among our more
successful projects.
The Philippines has gained prominent international
status.
Through the DENR, the Philippines was
the chairman and lead country for the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) preparation
for the World Summit.
The Philippine Delegation to the final
world meeting in Bali for World Summit and in
the actual World Summit on Sustainable Development
in Johannesburg, South Africa were both led by
the DENR, where the Philippines gained the respect
of the community of nations for its sound disposition,
active participation, cohesion and composition,
having the civil society and NGOs as majority
of its members.
The Philippines was elected Chairman
and played very prominent role during the Ministerial
Convention on Migratory Species in Germany, attended
by more than 100 countries.
Effectively advocate and advance the environmental
interest of the country in the international community.
Signed the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants
Signed he first Regional ASEAN Transboundary
Haze Pollution Agreement
Became a member of the Like-Minded Mega
Diversity Group, composed of 15 countries that
account for 70% of the world's biodiversity and
3/4 of the world's population.
Attended a Head of States Meeting
of the Group during the World Summit.
5. Actively Pursued Good Governance:
Drastically streamlined the
processing system for the issuance of the ECC,
a requirement for practically all projects in
the country. The DENR simplified and reduced the
processing time by an average of 40%, and up to
60% for projects considered not very environmentally
critical.
Strengthened the system of checks and
balance and the accountability of concerned personnel/officials.
The ECC streamlining is provided in Administrative
Order No. 42, issued by the President on November
2, 2002. As a result, the DENR was able to issue
118 ECCs nationwide in a matter of one week. This
is expected to result in substantial savings for
applicants, accelerate implementation of projects
and generate early revenues, promote investments
and catalyze the creation of jobs, income and
economic activities. This is deemed critical at
this time of slow economic growth.
To uncompromisingly cleanse the Department
of misfits, the DENR conducted comprehensive audits
of major projects and operations. As a result,
the Department investigated and filed administrative
and criminal charges against 353 officials and
personnel of the Department of various reported
offenses. It also started to professionalize the
staff and leadership through a more competitive
promotion system and training programs.
Strictly pursued the user's fee strategy
and increased the revenues for the National Government
collected by the Department. For 2001, the DENR
was able to generate revenues amounting to P555.2
million. This is an increase of P5.8 million over
the collection of the previous year. For the first
half of 2002 alone, the DENR already collected
P315.3 million and projected to reach P630.7 million
by yearend.
The DENR's increased performance is due to reforms
in the income collection strategy such as more
effective records management and collections and
strict monitoring of mineral and forest production
and sales. The Department further improved the
collection of rents, fees and other charges through
the implementation of the Resource Accounting
Project on proper economic valuation for patrimonial
properties, grasslands, protected areas and water
bodies. This therefore contributed to addressing
the budget deficit problem of the National Government
and provided funding for the critical projects
of the President.
Instituted a more open and comprehensive
partnership with the various Peoples' Organization
(POs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs),
religious, business, civil society and the Local
Government Units (LGUs) in all aspects of our
programs and operations.
Institutionalized the multi-sectoral
composition in the monitoring and enforcement
of environmental and forestry laws and policies.
The DENR is in the forefront and considered a
leader in institutionalizing gender sensitivity
in all aspects of our operations and in dealing
with our clients.
Issued a landmark policy by allowing
married women from applying for homestead applications.
This amended an order issued in 1936 requiring
the consent of husbands before women can apply
for the purchase or lease of public lands. After
66 years of discrimination, women now have equal
rights in public lands applications.
Provided our staff with Internet and
other communication technologies, e.g. the cell
phone, to make them proficient in responding to
the full range of emergencies.
We
have shown strong political will
and have taken principled stand
against efforts of some quarters
to compromise our quest for a clean
and healthy environment and equitable
access to natural resources. We
have denied or withdrawn the ECCs
and permits and penalized big projects
that we deemed detrimental to the
environment.
We have never wavered in our stand,
despite threats and character assassinations,
against those who would never tend
to monopolize the use of natural
resources and disregarded environmental
laws and regulations.
We have been uncompromising in filing
charges against ranking and well-connected
officials over violations of environmental
policies.
We have issued landmark policies
and regulation designed to better
protect the environment and promote
social justice in the environment
and natural resources sector.
We are resolving the Mt. Diwalwal
mining issues which have been resolved
the past19 years. We have issued
the order that will reserve for
small fishermen the fishermen the
right over coastal areas.
We have streamlined the ECC process
in a manner that has never been
successfully done, we have challenged
the environmental impact of coal-fired
power plants.
We have created partnerships with
other public and private agencies
to work cooperatively on environmental
and natural resources issues of
common concern. We have sought to
use the DENR as a communication,
coordination, and decision-making
tool in the debate of issues related
to the environment and natural resources.
We realize we are running against
time in our quest to provide a natural
environment and a physical and economic
pattern of development that are
rich in diversity and livable in
every way for us today and for future
generations. But we're confident
we have taken the right steps towards
sustainable development.
- Secretary
Heherson T. Alvarez
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