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Sunday, June 26, 2005
Environment code questioned
By Edmund Sestoso
A BOARD member has questioned the newly approved Negros Oriental Environment Code authored by Provincial Board Member Mariant Escano Villegas.
PB Member Lea Ga-Bromo, who happens to chair the Provincial Board Committee on Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Energy pointed out that the environment code needs more refinement.
She said the code excludes the existing functions and responsibilities of the Capitol created Environment and Natural Resources Management Division (ERMD) including qualifications of its personnel.
She said surely Governor George Arnaiz will implement the environment code through a structure and organization which takes the lead role in shaping up specific programs in order to achieve specific objectives and its over all goal.
"The ERND has not been given the chance to prove and demonstrate its administrative efficiency," said Ga-Bromo.
The legal structure is based on the devolved functions of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as provided in the Local Government Code, which was also the basis in the formulation of the existing environment code.
Ga-Bromo said there was no problem between the two seeming similar functionaries, as they are deemed consistent.
However she pointed out that what is distinguishable mark between the two is the presence of the population management functions in the environmental office.
She pointed out that these two offices are distinctly optional offices that the province can create, as both functions are too big in their own selves to be fused together without effecting efficiency and effectiveness of policies and programs.
Ga-Bromo said the Code is expected to guide the general public, investors and visitors together with the local implementers in the management of the environment and the development of the province.
She further stressed that the same office shall be supposedly included in the Code where we can proudly claim that there is a very responsible office that manages the affairs of the environment and at a glimpse the said set up should be able to impress confidence and efficient service upon those who will read and use the Code.
Ga-Bromo reiterated the least that her colleagues can do is recognize the authenticity and legality of the ENRD and the same should have a place in the environment code because according to her it plays an important role.
"A well meant code, though going through a long process, is a worthy legacy to the future generation and our source of pride. Will history reward us for a job well done? Let us search ourselves," she concluded.
She said there was then an intention to hide this office from the scrutiny of the Environment Code and explicitly recognize and clothe with roles and responsibilities the illegal one in the same Code.
She said to any rational mind, incomprehensible for the Provincial Board to whom is vested the sole power to create offices and positions.
"The Code is supposed to spell out clearly the roles of the participating agencies but where the legal lead agency is obliterated by the defunct office, the whole Code is rendered inconsistent with the laws and ordinances it is grounded upon" stressed Ga-Bromo.
(June 26, 2005 issue)
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