Capacity building

The DENR-EMB, having its own information dissemination arms intensified its IEC campaign. Various environmental lectures, seminars, symposia and training on the implementation of water quality management for DENR employees and other government agencies, barangay officials and public schools were conducted by the EMB Central, Regional and Field Offices staff. Likewise, various IEC activities were also conducted such as poster making contest, lectures, forums, airing of activities/programs, issues and concerns in different radio stations during the celebration of the different special environment related events. Environmental materials were developed and printed such as primers, brochures, and the like for the use and information of other government agencies, LGUs, NGOs, industries and academe.

Accreditation of Pollution Control Officers

To effectively enforce the “Pollution Control Decree of 1976”, otherwise known as PD 984, and its implementing rules and regulations  the DENR requires the designation of pollution control officers (PCO) in all industrial and manufacturing establishments to be in charge of the water and air pollution control activities of the company and serve as contact persons with the DENR.  This also establish linkages among the (1) Department of Environment and Natural Resources, (2) industrial establishments which are potential and actual sources of pollution and (3) local government agencies.

Industrial, commercial and manufacturing establishments and private entities, whose activities are potential and actual sources of water, air, and land pollution, shall each appoint and/or designate a Pollution Control Officer.  Likewise, all provincial, municipal and city governments, shall each appoint/designate the same.  Such appointment/designation shall be subject to accreditation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Laguna Lake Development Capacity Building Partnership

The Laguna Lake Development Authority has recently acquired new partners from the reputable international network.  Institutions and organizations of a similar environmental thrust have shown their admiration and moreover, their support for LLDA’s advocacies by funding its programs and ensuring its financial future.

The USAEP Grant

The USAEP grant is set to finance a program entitled’ “Strengthening Capacity in Community-based Environmental Management: Linking the Tha Chin River Basin, Thailand; Laguna Lake, Philippines; and Chesapeake Bay, United States,” through which new and more practical methods in watershed protection and restoration, as well as community involvement activities shall be implemented by the primary implementing partners:  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) of Thailand, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) of the Philippines, and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) of Virginia. 

The “Panibagong Paraan” Program Grant

The World Bank’s Panibagong Paraan Program, together with the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) has chosen Laguna de Bay’s Environmental Army to be one of its 50 grantees.  The 750,000.00PhP grant was awarded to the Environmental Army’s proposed program entitled, “River Ecosystem Revival and Enhancement through Material Recovery, Carbon Mitigation, and Poverty Alleviation.”  The project would entail the establishment of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where the recycling of recyclable materials, composting, selling of recovered wastes, and the DENR charcoal-making out of abandoned biomass will be conducted.  The winning program not only aims to promote a feasible environmental management system, but also to alleviate poverty by providing livelihood opportunities to the members of the Environmental Army, which is composed mainly of fisher folk and farmers residing within the watershed area.

Source: Laguna de Ba’I, The Living Lake, LLDA Publication, 2004

Recognition of Environmental Laboratories

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 63 series of 1998 (DAO 98-63) defines the Guidelines for the Designation of DENR Recognized Environmental Laboratories. The recognition scheme was conceived for the following reasons: (1) to complement DENR analytical facilities for environmental impact assessment (EIA), pollution control and management, and research and development; (2) to involve the private sector in environmental analytical services; (3) to harmonize laboratory analytical procedures and techniques; and (4) to promote the use of QA/QC practices in environmental measurements.

The recognition scheme covers 27 parameters for water and wastewater, 19 parameters for ambient air and air emissions, 6 parameter groups for sediment and biota, and involves five steps, namely:
Level 1: Application phase;
Level 2: Laboratory inspection and assessment;
Level 3: Proficiency testing;
Level 4: Review and evaluation of data and information; and
Level 5: Issuance of the Certificate of Recognition by the DENR Secretary.

First level evaluation of application forms is undertaken by the staff of the Research and Development Division (RDD), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

Level 2, i.e. laboratory inspection and assessment, is conducted by the Laboratory Inspection and Assessment Team (LIAT) composed of staff from the EMB central and regional laboratories together with the external pool of assessors from the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) and the Bureau of Product Standards/Department of Trade and Industry (BPS/DTI).

Proficiency testing (PT) is conducted by the RDD/EMB staff primarily through the distribution of PT samples for analysis by the participating laboratories. Test results are statistically evaluated and such are used as one of the bases for gauging performance of laboratories for environmental analysis.

The Technical Advisory Group for Laboratory Recognition (TAG-LR), composed of the DENR Undersecretary for Environment, the EMB Director, a representative from a technical NGO, a representative from a chemical organization, and the LIAT Chairperson, is responsible for Level 4, i.e. review and evaluation of data and information.

The TAG-LR recommends to the DENR Secretary the issuance of the Certificate of Recognition. The Certificate has an effectivity period of 3 years from its issuance.

Professional Association

Different NGO Associations (Profession) entered into an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to assist the DENR in its task of implementing the provisions of different environmental law thru the following:

• Develop Training Modules and conduct training seminars on environmental quality management and pollution control
• Render technical assistance on the selection of state-of- the-art technology for pollution control