Section 35Sec./Art. 35

City Environment and Natural Resources Officer. (a) The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Baliwag, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in environment and/or natural resources management, forestry, urban, and environment planning, or any other 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 of experience in the environment and natural resources management, conservation, and utilization work.

(b) The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer shall receive such compensation, emoluments, and allowances as may be determined by law.

(c) The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer shall take charge of the Office of the Environment Service Department, and shall:

(1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and provide assistance and support to the City Mayor 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;

(2) Develop plans and strategies, and upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with environment and natural resources programs and projects which the City Mayor is empowered to implement and which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide;

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

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

(5) Manage and maintain seed banks and produce seedlings for forest and tree parks;

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

(7) Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernment 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 and calamities;

(9) Recommend measures to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City Mayor 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) Perform such other duties and functions, and exercise such other powers as provided under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.