To Expand The Role of NGO’s?
Very Doubtful In Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza said the involvement of non-government organizations, people’s organizations and local government units in protecting the environment and preserving the country’s natural resources will be expanded.
The new DENR chief spelled out and clearly signaled his thrust of strengthening and intensifying partnerships with NGOs and LGUS when he signed early this week agreements on environmental stewardships with the municipal government of Malay, the Island Green Foundation and Aklan Philippine National Police and a group of Guimaras residents.
"Another hallmark of my policy direction is devolution and decentralization," Atienza bragged, adding that "the DENR cannot hope to be everywhere and we have to build strong partnerships with local governments and local organizations and communities to carry out environmental protection in their areas."
The agreements in protecting the country’s natural heritage were signed during the opening ceremonies of the 16th ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) meeting in Boracay at Malay, Aklan last week.
"I have chosen to sign the agreement before ASEAN senior officials on environment to inform our Southeast Asian neighbors of the direction the Philippines is taking on how it will handle the protection of the environment and restoration of what has been lost," Atienza said.
Under the agreement, the Malay municipal government will manage and protect the Malay Reforestation Project. The Island Green Foundation, led by Armando Davila, will develop and rehabilitate Boracay islands’ remaining forest by planting endemic forest tree species.
The agreement also deputizes the foundation to apprehend violators and file appropriate charges against offenders.
They are given the powers to prohibit illegal occupation, utilization and destruction of flora and fauna without DENR permit and to allow the co-existence of livelihood activities undertaken by the residents of the community along the project perimeter provided that the operations are not destructive.
In Guimaras, a group residents, represented by Glynn Maclang, will underake the protection and nurturing of a four-hectare mangrove area in Brgy. Getulio, Buenavista Guimaras. The group will maintain and protect the four-hectare mangrove area from further degradation due to the impact of strong sea waves. Aside from replanting, the group will also prohibit illegal occupation of the area, including extraction and destruction of mangrove stands.
The Aklan Police Provincial Office, led by Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, Jr. will undertake the planting, maintenance and protection of a two-hectare tree plantation located in Brgy. Naba-oy, Malay, Aklan.
Atienza said an important component of the agreement is law enforcement. "Enforcement is the key in protecting and managing the country’s environment and natural resources. We already have 43 laws directly pertaining to protection and management of our environment and natural heritage. All we have to do is enforce these laws," he said.
"The problems begin when we fail to implement these laws," Atienza added.
SINGAPORE EXPERIENCE
What? Mr. Atienza will involve NGO’s, GO’s and LGU’s and he will tell our Southeast Asian neighbors about it? Our Asian neighbors are just too polite to listen to Secretary Atienza’s good for nothing "hallmark…policy of devolution and decentralization."
Sec. Atienza, just implement the existing laws, rules and regulations without fear and favor. Forget that they are relatives, friends and or sons to extract obedience from them. With your pronouncements, the Singaporeans and the Malaysians will just smile with you.
Visit Singapore and with the lessons learn in there, do it in Boracay, Guimaras, Bohol, Cebu. Study Singapore’s transportation system where there is no policemen to enforce the law. Everybody obeys. Drivers maintain uniform speed and never blow their horns, no traffic violation.
Study her building code. There is no squatter. Study its sanitation, there is no garbage; there is no air pollution. Singapore is so spic and span, with all sides of the 4 – 6 lanes roads are occupied with green trees. On the road divider is underground drainage, and flowers and ornamental plants on the surface.
Sentosa, a small island which was used by the British in the 18th century as fortress to control pirates is now a high money earning tourists destination. Sentosa is an island, but it is accessible via cable cars, boats, cars and train.
Like Las Vegas, Sentosa is open 24 hours a day. The only difference, Las Vegas is situated in the dessert, Sentosa is on rolling hills covered with trees. One could go around the island in 30 minutes at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour. But wow! The attraction! There is the dolphin which cost US $2 million from Thailand, the Song of the Sea. By the year 2010, Sentosa will have its Integrated Resort consisting of five 5-star hotels, casino and a Universal City Studio.
There are several government officials who have been visiting Singapore. But they have not learned any lesson from the Singaporeans. Sec. Atienza, I will salute you as everybody will, after you have transformed Boracay even to the middle standard of Singapore as the world’s tourists destination. /MP
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