LUNA, Apayao – Officials and employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau – Cordillera Administrative Region went out of town and trekked the mountains of Apayao in the conduct of their 2017 regional mid-year assessment workshop and management conference.
About 70 personnel coming from the Regional Office (Baguio City), Provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao and Mt. Province gathered together at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex, here on July 19-21 and had their provincial and regional reporting on their physical and financial accomplishments for the first semester of the year.
According EMB DENR-CAR Planning Officer Hermelina Lausato, Regional Director Reynaldo Digamo decided to shy away from the traditional system of conducting regional assessment and pushed to visit sites within Cordillera to familiarize themselves on areas which are subject to study, evaluation and protection.
“The Regional Director initiated the idea of having an out of town mid-year assessment which will alternately be hosted by Provincial Environmental Management Units Officers,” Lausato said.
During the presentation of 1st Semester Accomplishment Report, the PEMUs have been compliant and far exceeded the target set. For instance, all PEMUs need only to accomplish one (1) in the identification/survey of established firms/industries and commercial establishments operating without permit. Reports indicate Abra had accomplished five (5), Mt. Province had four (4), while Apayao and Ifugao had two (2) physical accomplishments. Due to the absence of Kalinga PEMU Officer, no reports have been presented on said province.
Meanwhile, a catch-up plan was devised to an area which fell below the target. One notable subject on which the target set was not accomplished is the compliance monitoring of HWGs, transporters, importers and TSD facilities in PEMU Abra. The target was five (5) but they only had one (1), hence, got only 20% accomplishment on said area.
As part of the mid-year assessment and management conference, the group had site visitation to environmentally critical areas, water sampling stations and solid waste management projects.
The group also had the chance to familiarize and enjoy the beauty of Apayao’s natural resources dubbed as “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature’s Richness.” They visited the Lussok Cave, one of the most sought after tourist destination in the province. For the adventurers, they mounted and conquered the Dupag Rock Formation at Marag, Luna.
Director Digamo was on his way to Apayao to attend the said activity but due to the call of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to visit Baguio City, he needed to go back. Dr. Candido Tuscano, Apayao OIC PENRO, also proceeded to Baguio City for Secretary Cimatu’s visit. BY By GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN
