Section 40September 7, 2007, Sec./Art. 40

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer. - (a) No person shall be appointed provincial environment and natural resources officer unless he is 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 and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation and utilization for at least five years.

The appointment of a provincial environment and natural resources officer shall be mandatory.

(b) The provincial environment and natural resources officer shall take charge of the office on environment and natural resources and shall:

(1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian and 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 for under Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991;

(2) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the provincial governor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with environment and natural resources programs and projects which the provincial governor is empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under the Local Government Code of1991;

(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the provincial environment and natural resources officer shall:

(i) Ensure the maximum assistance and access to resources in the production, processing and marketing of agricultural and aquacultural and marine products are extended to farmers, fishermen and local entrepreneurs;

(ii) 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;

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

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

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

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

(vii) Coordinate with government agencies and NGOs 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;

(4) Be in the frontline of the delivery of basic 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;

(5) Recommend measures to the sanggunian and 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

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