The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) joined in a symposium on Environmental Code held recently at the NCAS Auditorium, College, Laguna. The symposium served as a venue to inform the stakeholders about the content of the draft Environmental Code (E-Code).
Aside from PCAARRD, other participating government agencies were the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB); University of the Philippines Los Baños-School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM); Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) of Laguna; DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IV-A; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Laguna; Philippine National Police (PNP) Laguna; Office of the Governor of Laguna; Local Government Units (LGU) of Laguna; Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of all the municipalities and cities of Laguna; non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other private individuals.
UPLB-SESAM and the Provincial Government of Laguna organized the said symposium.
Laguna Provincial Administrator Atty. Dulce H. Rebanal addressed and welcomed the participants while Engr. David Rubio, OIC-PGENRO of Laguna introduced the public hearing and E-Code.
The Dean of UPLB-SESAM, Dr. Leonardo Florece, discussed the overview of the E-Code. E-Code was formulated more than 10 years ago to provide an integrated and holistic initiative that harmonizes environmental laws consistent with the laws of nature. The code also aims to safeguard the natural resources and rich cultural heritage of the province of Laguna as well as protect and conserve its mountains, arable lands, lakes, and rivers. The development of the E-Code of the province of Laguna is a UPLB and the local LGU-funded initiative implemented by UPLB-SESAM in 2012 and concluded in 2013.
UPLB-SESAM Professor Dr. Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon presented the E-Code of Laguna for comments, suggestions, and clarifications by the stakeholders. The revised version of the E-Code will be submitted to the Provincial Government for approval and implementation.