"We urge the Department of Environment and Natural Resources anti-illegal logging task force to look into the matter and file the necessary charges against violators of environmental laws," the Palace said.
In a joint letter to Duterte and acting environment chief Jim Sampulna, over 30 environment and education leaders asked to immediately cancel quarrying agreements within the 26,126-hectare Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape in Rizal province.
MANILA - Malacanang on Tuesday directed a task force in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate alleged illegal activities within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) in Rizal province. This, after environmentalists and concerned citizens asked the government to cancel quarrying agreements within the 26,126-hectare UMRBPL over concerns that these activities could worsen the extent of flooding in low-lying reaches of the Upper Marikina Watershed, including the cities and communities of Metro Manila and Rizal Province. Acting presidential spokesperson and Communications secretary Martin Andanar acknowledged the need for the government to protect the country's natural resources. "Safeguarding the environment and natural resources is an important component in our sustainable development," he said in a press statement. He expressed concern over reports of alleged development activities, which include resort expansion, in
Malacañang yesterday ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to file charges against violators of environmental laws following claims that people have been setting up mines and resorts in the Masungi and Upper Marikina Watershed.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is set to turn over more than 9,000 square meters of land to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine under the Department of Health.