ATIENZA |
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Secretary
Lito Atienza of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) strongly warned erring DENR officials
and personnel amid public perception of graft and corruption
in the agency.
The
newly appointed DENR secretary said he is "very
sensitive" on issues of graft as he warns his rank
and file that once formal complaints are filed, his
office "will prove it, then, they go to jail."
He
issued the warning after he noticed of a "system
of pinpointing" that exists at the agency when
he assumed office couple of months ago.
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Atienza
succeeded Sec.Angelo Reyes who was appointed as secretary
of the Department of Energy.
He
stressed that the role of DENR is more on the technical and
monitoring side while the implementation belongs to the LGUs.
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The
former Manila city mayor noted the vast authority vested
on the local government units in the implementation
of DENR laws and regulations.
He
said that he will adopt "well defined" functions
of each of his department to designate persons in charge
of the various concerns on environment.
Atienza
said, with 44 implementing laws on environment, he sees
the agency to be fully equipped with the legal parameters.
However, he admitted that what is more needed is "transparent"
implementation so the public can value the functions
of the DENR in protecting the environment.
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He
warned DENR personnel tainted with malice, to suffer the consequence
of the law.
APPEALS
COOPERATION
Sec.
Atienza admitted that DENR alone can not achieve its direction
towards improved services without the support of the community.
"Empower"
the local governance and the private sector in order to fuel
a more effective DENR, the secretary stressed.
In
fact, he lauded the existence of the Bohol Prime Movers chaired
by civic-leader Hanz Schoof. He said that every LGU needs
the support of an active private sector which objectivity
will take note of the lapses committed in the local governance.
City
Mayor Dan Lim who is a driving force of the newly formed Prime
Movers said he will work out an effective liaison between
the office of the DENR secretary and the group.
In
fact, he arranged a meeting yesterday with the DENR secretary
and the Prime Movers chairman who is also the consultant on
trade and tourism.
Schoof,
during the meeting, articulated the need to properly implement
DENR laws including the 20-meter salvage zone which is violated
by several property owners in the coastal areas of the province.
For
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