DENR presides over 2nd PH-UK dialogue on climate change
by Santiago Celario
DENR-led Cabinet cluster to host dialogue on climate change and environment
TO prepare for climate and environmental change the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be hosting the 2nd United Kingdom-Philippines Climate Change and Environment Dialogue on February 10, 2022.
CCAM-DRR Cabinet Cluster chairperson and DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the second dialogue will be a "crucial" event for the Philippines as it focuses on the pledges made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021.
Agencies renew effort for Cagayan River rehab
By Leander C. Domingo | The Manila Times
February 5, 2022
GOVERNMENT agencies in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) composing the Regional Build Back Better Task Force (RBBBTF) have renewed their commitment and perform their responsibilities to "bring back a better Cagayan Valley" that is economically better, safe and more climate-resilient.
According to Corie Corpuz, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 information officer, the Cagayan River Restoration project was launched in 2021 in Barangay Bangag in Lal-lo, Cagayan through a ceremonial dredging of the Magapit Narrows.
She said the removal of sandbars at the pilot site was completed in July 2021 with a total of 374,000 cubic meters dredged with the Department of Public Works and Highways now removing the sandbars in Barangay Dummun, Gattaran town.
Regional task force to hasten rehab in calamity areas
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary and Task Force Build Back Better (TFBBB) Chairman Roy Cimatu has ordered the creation of TFBBBs in the regional level in an effort to fast-track the government's recovery and rehabilitation programs in typhoon-ravaged areas in the country.
The creation of the regional TFBBB was pursuant to the DENR's mandate under Executive Order 120 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on Nov. 18, 2020 to expedite and lead the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery program for typhoon-ravaged areas.
"The creation of RTFBBB is in response to the intention of EO 120 for government entities to work with a clear unity of command and in a sustained and cohesive form in relation to current and future post-typhoon recovery and rehabilitation efforts," Cimatu said at the recent DENR expanded executive committee conference.
Cimatu orders creation of regional task forces to speed up rehab in typhoon-hit areas
DENR Secretary and TFBBB Chairperson Roy Cimatu during his visit in Siargao Islands on January 15, 2022
In a bid to fast-track the government’s recovery and rehabilitation programs in typhoon-ravaged areas, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu recently ordered the creation of the regional inter-agency task forces throughout the country with all of his 16 DENR Regional Executive Directors (REDs) designated as chairpersons of the Regional Build Back Batter Task Force (RTFBBB) within their respective jurisdictions.
Cimatu’s move was pursuant to his post as Chair of the National Build Back Better Task Force (TFBBB) under Executive Order 120 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on November 18, 2020 to expedite and lead the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of a post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery program for typhoon-ravaged areas.
“The creation of RTFBBB is in response to the intention of EO 120 for government entities to work with a clear unity of command and in a sustained and cohesive form in relation to current and future post-typhoon recovery and rehabilitation efforts ” Cimatu explained at the DENR Expanded Executive Committee Meeting held via on-site and online last January 18.
The National TFBBB is co-chaired by the Secretary of Department of Public Works and Highways with 26 national government agencies as its members tasked to provide to the task force.
The DENR heads the Intensified Environment and Natural Resources Management, which is one of the six Key Result Areas (KRAs) of TFBBB.
Other TFBBB-KRAs includes Better and Resilient Infrastructure headed by DPWH; Stronger Shelter and Resilient Settlement ( Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development); (3) Improved Systems and Essential Services (Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense) ; (4) Restored Sustainable Livelihood (Department of Trade and Industry); and (5) Strengthened Governance through Broad-Based Citizen(Department of Interior and Local Government)
Cimatu, through DENR Special Order (SO) No. 2022-32 signed last January 17, said the order spells out the mechanism by which the RTFBBBs will “organize and convene” their respective RTFBBs in coordination with the regional RTFBBB-member line government agencies “as may be applicable.”
The environment chief said the creation of the RTFBBB draws inspiration and lessons learned from the i success made in the first three focus areas of TFBBB in rehabilitating the Marikina , Cagayan and Bicol River Basins after they were ravaged by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses in 2020.
Among RTFBBB tasks is to identify rehabilitation and recovery measures in typhoon affected areas and formulation of the KRA implementation plans, budgetary requirement and funding proposal for the areas in their respective regions.
Identified as priority for the implementation of the order are areas that bore the brunt of Typhoon Odette in December 2021.
“Beginning with those harder-hit by Typhoon Odette, the DENR REDs for CARAGA, Regions 6,7,8, 10 and MIMAROPA as Chairpersons of the Regional TFBBB in their respective regions shall, in coordination with the concerned Regional Line Agencies and Local Government Units, conduct damage assessment and identify appropriate interventions for recovery and rehabilitation,” Cimatu said in the Order.
DENR Undersecretary and TFBBB secretariat head Analiza Rebuelta-Teh said Cimatu’s order underscores the urgency for a clear mechanism on how to have a “total response” at the regional level based on the mandate of EO 120, including the need strengthen the link between the national and local levels to efficiently respond to the demands and realities in typhoon’s post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation phase as shown in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.
With the mechanisms in place, RTFBBB can link directly with concerned TFBBB member national agencies “in case their regional members are not responsive” through the concerned DENR Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries who have been designated as focal persons responsible for coordination with the concerned agencies as head of each of the six TFBBB’s KRAs concerned lead as per DENR SO 2020-470. ###
Bringing Tullahan River back to life