Gerry Pollisco (Acting OCENR)

(062)985-1956; 985-1955

San Roque, Zamboanga City

The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) was created by virtue of City Ordinance No. 272, dated October 11, 2005, “an ordinance renaming the Office of the City Public Services to ‘Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR)’, and absorbing the Environment and Natural Resources Services Division of the Office of the City Agriculturist into its organizational set-up and prescribing its powers, duties and responsibilities, and amending certain sections of Ordinance No. 387, series of 1990”.

City Ordinance No. 272 was enacted pursuant to Section 76 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which states that “every local government unit shall design and implement its own organizational structure and staffing pattern taking into consideration its service requirements and financial capability, subject to the minimum standards and guidelines prescribed by the Civil Service Commission”.

The Local Government Code of 1991 directs the Local Government Unit (LGU) to share with the national government the responsibility in the enhancement of the right of people to a balanced ecology within the LGU’s territorial jurisdiction. It also covers the responsibility of the LGU to adopt adequate measures to protect the environment and conserve land, mineral, marine, forest and other resources.

The OCENR headed by the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer is responsible for the formulation of measures and development of plans and strategies relative to environment and natural resources. It shall also be the duty of the office to be in the front line of the delivery of services concerning the environment and natural resources especially in the renewal and rehabilitation of the environment during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural calamities. The implementation of the ecological solid waste management system in the city also falls part of the office’s responsibility.

The City Environment and Natural Resources Office shall undertake the simultaneous implementation, enforcement and monitoring of various legislation concerning environment and natural resources such as the National Pollution Control Law, Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Hazardous, Toxic and Nuclear Waste Act as follows:

• Formulate measures for legislative enactment to provide technical assistance and support the local chief executive’s programs/projects to ensure delivery of basic services and adequate facilities related to environment and natural resources;
• Develop plans and strategies for environmental and natural resources programs that the local chief executive may implement which the sanggunian is empowered to provide;
• Direct frontline services concerning environment and natural resources during and in the after-math of man-induced or natural calamities/disasters;
• Recommend to the Sanggunian and/or advise the local chief executive on all matters relative to the protection, conservation, maximum utilization and adoption of appropriate technology related to environment and natural resources;
• Direct the establishment, maintenance and protection of communal forests, watersheds, greenbelts and mangroves;
• Coordinate with government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the enforcement of laws related to environment and natural resources.

Administrative Services

• Provides administrative support and services requirements of the office;
• Performs all aspect of administrative work as required;
• Performs supply management and internal control functions

Environment and Natural Resources Division

Implementation and performance of devolved functions:

     Forest Management – enforcement of Forest Laws, Implementation of the Integrated Social Forest Projects, Community Forest Projects and establish new regular reforestation projects;

     Protected Areas and Wildlife – establish, protect and maintain tree parks, greenbelts and tourist attractions, regulation of flora, Implementation of the Rich in Conservation Hotspots (RICH) and the Conservation of Rare and Endangered Species (CARE);

     Environmental Management – enforcement of pollution control and environmental protection laws, Coordinate/confer with barangay officials and stakeholders to adopt best practices in solid waste management; Conduct information, education and communication activities among various sectors of waste generators and monitor the enforcement and compliance to pertinent laws, rules and regulations; apprehension and testing of smoke belching vehicles;

     Mines and Ge-Sciences Development – enforcement of the small-scale mining law, issuance of permit for guano collection and to extract gravel and other quarry resources, verification and adjudication of conflicts on collection of fees and charges for guano collection and extraction of gravel and other quarry resources;

     Land Management – conduct of cadastral and lot surveys, conduct of isolated and special surveys

Public Services Division

• Implementation of the City’s Solid Waste Management Program: Monitors the efficiency of the Collection and Disposal of Garbage, Sweeping of City Streets, Operation of the Materials Recovery Facilities and Landfill Operation Management;
• Handles and conducts repair and maintenance of all government-owned solid waste collection vehicles, machineries and earth-moving/heavy equipment;
• Formulate plans and strategies to ensure delivery of basic frontline services pertaining solid waste storage and transfer and the provision of necessary equipment and adequate facilities;
• Conduct preliminary studies for the expansion of waste collection service areas.

Note: Our Citizen’s Charter is under deliberation pursuant to Republic Act 11032 – “An Act Promoting Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Delivery of Government Services, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9485, otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, and for other purposes”

Issuance of Environmental Certifications for dealer of minor or regulated forest products

Issuance of Environmental Certifications to extract sand and gravel and other quarry resources or filling materials within private lot

Issuance of Environmental Certifications for manufacturer or dealer of hollow blocks

Issuance of Environmental Certifications for industrial firms