DENR 7 maintain skeletal force during Holy Week

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=870194
• Friday, March 25, 2016

(PNA), RMA/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, March 25 (PNA) -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo has directed all field officials in the three provinces to put up a skeletal force and a quick mobilization and response mechanism in case of emergencies in the observance of the Lenten break.

“This is part of our continuing efforts and commitment to provide the necessary services as we commemorate our well-cherished and well-treasured tradition during this Lenten season as we establish an operational protocol to respond very quickly to emergency situation,” Montejo said.

He directed all provincial and community environment and natural resources officers to continue in closely monitoring environmental situation and immediately report illegal activities and untoward incidents within their respective area of assignment.

He also put in place measures and strategies by assigning front line personnel who will be keeping an eye on wildlife trafficking, illegal trading of mineral resources, and other environmental and natural resources law enforcement operations in airports and seaports

In a memorandum issued by Montejo, all field officials in Central Visayas were told to keep their communication lines open 24/7 so that they could be contacted anytime.

Among the strategies being employed by the DENR to boost its forest fire prevention and fighting capabilities during the “dry” months include the involvement of community members in its trainings in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Prevention of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, with which the DENR has a standing agreement to conduct joint trainings as well as forest fire-fighting operations.

Forest fire preventive measures consisted of monitoring for “kaingin” or slash and burn activities and unauthorized bush burning in pasturelands, construction of water impounding structures to trap and store rainwater, clearing of new growth in fire lines or “fire buffers” inside tree plantations, and conduct of forest fire drills with forest resource-dependent communities especially in drought-prone areas.