Section 41Sec./Art. 41

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer. -(a) The provincial environment and natural resources officer must a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the province, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in environment, forestry, agriculture or any related course from a recognized college or university, a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent and must have acquired at least five (5) years experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation and utilization.

The appointment of a provincial environment and natural resources officer is optional.

(b) The provincial environment and natural resources officer shall perform the following duties and functions:

(1) Take charge of the office for environment and natural resources, and pursuant thereto, perform the following:

(i) Formulate measures for the consideration of thesanggunianand provide technical assistance and support to the provincial governor in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to environment and natural resources services as provided under Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended; and

(ii) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the provincial governor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the environment and natural resources programs and projects which the provincial governor is empowered to implement and which thesanggunianis empowered to provide under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended;

(2) Establish, maintain, protect and preserve communal forests, watersheds, tree parks, mangroves, greenbelts, commercial forests and similar forests projects like industrial tree farms and agro-forestry projects;

(3) Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and technical, financial and infrastructure assistance;

(4) Manage and maintain seed banks and produce seedlings for forests and tree parks;

(5) Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and render assistance for natural resources-related conservation and utilization activities consistent with ecological balance;

(6) Promote small-scale mining and utilization of mineral resources, particularly the mining of gold;

(7) Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations in the implementation of measures to prevent and control land, air and water pollution with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);

(8) Be in the frontline of the delivery of services concerning the environment and natural resources, particularly in the renewal and rehabilitation of the environment during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or calamities;

(9) Recommend to thesanggunianand advise the provincial governor on all matters relative to the protection, conservation, maximum utilization, application of appropriate technology and other matters related to the environment and natural resources; and

(10) Exercise such other powers and perform other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.