LUNA, Apayao – With the recent changes of some personnel in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) which include the reassignment of Apayao PENR Officer Moises Butic to the Regional Office, a consultative meeting dubbed as “Pulong-pulong para sa Kalikasan” is scheduled on March 20 at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex here.
The consultative meeting which will be attended by the Governor Elilas Bulut, Jr. and Congresswoman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang along with other provincial officials , all mayors and heads of national line agencies aims to generate first-hand accounts from executives and concerned officials with regard to the present status of Apayao’s and to devise plans how to address pressing issues that beset the province.
Also in this occasion is the installation ceremony of the new OIC PENR Officer Dr. Candido Tuscano who assumed office on March 1 after the issuance of Special Order dated February 27, 2017 by DENR OIC Undersecretary for Field Operations Philip Camara for the total revamp of top DENR positions in CAR.
Those DENR-CAR officials who were reassigned and/or affected with this order other than Butic are Abra PENR Officer Ernesto Aton, Kalinga PENR Officer Valeriano Banggolay, Mt. Province PENR Officer Octavio Cuanso. They are all reassigned to the office of the DENR-CAR Regional Director.
Meanwhile, Benguet PENR Officer Julio Lopez remains in his post while Ifugao PENR Officer Romeo Bravo is reassigned at NRDC. The new OIC PENR Officers for different provinces are: Shirley Leano for Abra; Noel Barrientos for Kalinga; Geoffrey Sidchogan of Mt. Province; and Jose Cabrera, Jr. for Ifugao.
According to Tuscano, the special order for the reassignment/designation of some personnel in DENR-CAR came as a surprise to him and his office.
“I did never expect that I will return. It is good that I am back in order to continue the strong linkages with all the LGUs for the conservation, management and protection of our environment,” Tuscano stressed.
Asked of his plan in his return as head of PENR Office, Tuscano reiterated his determination to continue what he started and show his commitment by example in performing the work as new head of Apayao PENR Office.
“Generally, we need to double our effort in all the programs of the DENR and to strengthen further our good relationships to all stakeholders in the protection of our environment,” he added.
According to Tuscano, the totality of his message and specific plans will be further relayed and discussed on Monday during the “Pulong-pulong para sa Kalikasan.” BY GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN