Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 expressed her gratitude to the key officials and all employees for the successful implementation of environmental programs for 2023 as she outlined priority concerns for this year.

 

“The DENR Cagayan Valley Region experienced outstanding growth and progress when it received in 2023 from the Civil Service Commission the PRIME-HRM Bronze Award,” said Director Bambalan during the first expanded executive committee meeting yesterday in Tuguegarao City.

 

She underscored some of the major accomplishments such as the implementation of the online system for recruitment, selection, and placement that resulted in the appointment and promotion of about 300 employees, the adoption of an e-frontline system for land services, construction and improvement of office buildings and facilities, including the reopening of Callao Caves, launch of Green Spaces, and conduct of DENR Caravan and People’s Day, Ecological Solid Waste Management Summit and 1st Cagayan Valley Ecotourism and Environmental Summit.

 

“This 2024, we will be working on the integrated management systems to enhance the efficiency of our processes, elevate performance in the realms of environmental health and safety management, and mitigate the adverse impacts of our activities and operations,” Director Bambalan added.

 

In line with the priority directions of the department under the present dispensation of Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, the DENR Cagayan Valley chief announced that on top of the priority concerns of the region is to beef up land management, protected area and biodiversity conservation, coastal and marine conservation, water resources management, forest protection and law enforcement, and mining and environmental laws, policies, and regulations.

 

She also reiterated her tall order to always exercise due diligence, ensure prompt action on requests, and strictly adhere to regulations and anchor decisions on them.

 

The New Year’s Call with theme “Pattaraday para ta Bagu nga Ragun" was also highlighted with updates and discussions on the status of other online systems development, hiring of contract of service personnel, green spaces and waste management within the regional government center, disposition of confiscated conveyances, and proposed NGP site assessment for validation.#