Over 40 individuals from the people’s organizations in Antipolo, Upland Farmers Association, IP Farmers Association, and bantay gubat and forest patrollers of WawaJVCo, Incorporated along with personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Rizal Provincial Office participated in a two-day training for prospective Deputized Environment and Natural Resources Officers (DENROs) at Boso-Boso Highlands Hotel and Resort, Rizal last March 6-7, 2024.

The said activity was facilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON through its Enforcement Division.

“Marami ang natawag, ngunit kakaunti ang napili. Kayo ang napili upang maging kaagapay ng DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) at ng Probinsya sa pagpapatupad ng mga environmental laws”, said by Engr. Robert Estrada from the Provincial Government of Rizal as he relayed the message of Rizal Governor Hon. Nina Ricci Ynares to the participants.

The training aims to capacitate prospective DENROs to assist DENR in the enforcement of environmental laws, conduct of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, and documentation of the Administrative Confiscation Proceedings.

According to the data of the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA), 51 percent of the total land area of Rizal are classified forest lands. PENRO Rizal Technical Services Division Chief, Ernesto M. Diso, Jr., recognized the lack of manpower to patrol the area they cover. He shared “Ang average na kailangang i-patrol ng isang forest ranger namin ay 1,400 hectares. Kaya po andito kayo, upang makatulong naming mabantayan at mapatrol ang kagubatan”.

Government Affairs and Public Relations Head of WawaJVCo, Inc Ms. April Adis emphasized the need for reinforcements in the protection of Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) – a 26,126 hectare Protected Area (PA) in Rizal. “Mayroon lamang po tayong 17 Forest Rangers protecting Upper Marikina... Ito ay hindi birong gawain kung kaya’t tayong mga IPs ng Antipolo at Montalban at iba’t ibang ahensya na nakapaloob sa Protected Area, at mga nakatira sa PA, ay responsibilidad nating tulungan ang DENR na mapangalagaan ang PA”, Adis said.

 Meanwhile, For. Lorenzo Cordova, Jr, Company Forester of WawaJVCo underscored the significant role of the community in protecting the PA. He said “Binibigyan natin ng halaga ang partisipasyon ng komunidad…Kailangan ang mas malalim na pagsasanay para kayo mismo na nasa frontline ng pagprotekta sa ating kalikasan ay maipatupad ng tama ang batas.”

DENROs are authorized to arrest, even without a warrant, any person who violated environmental laws. They may also appear in court as witnesses against environmental violators.

The two-day training covered discussions on environmental laws, rules, and regulations under the forestry, biodiversity, and land sector. Further, salient features of Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and Philippine Mining Act were also tackled.

The training was requested by the WawaJVCo, Inc that primes to supply water to 2 million residents of Rizal Province and Metro Manila.###