Photo from DENR Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said it expects a “stronger commitment” from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in enforcing environmental laws with the end goal to protect human rights.
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia pointed out that an “adequate” and “healthy” environment is needed to make human rights possible, including the rights to life, food, health, and adequate standards of living.”
“CHR looks forward to DENR’s stronger commitment to protect human rights through better enforcement of environmental laws and better rationalization of environmental programs, especially as the country faces the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said in a statement.
De Guia issued the statement in light of the signing of a DENR administrative order that established the Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS), which will serve as an interim service while the agency awaits the approval of the Environmental Protection and Enforcement Bureau bill (EPEB) that was filed in the Senate and House of Representatives.
ELEPS, under the office of the environment chief, aims to strengthen the implementation of different environmental laws in the country.
With these bills lobbied by the DENR, CHR also noted that enforcing these laws will be a “positive step” toward the protection of human rights.
“The Commission on Human Rights sees the push of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to better enforce environmental laws as a positive step to protect the human rights of all Filipinos,” the agency said.
The human rights agency mentioned that a lot is at stake if the communities will continue to disregard the welfare of our environment. — Sofia Vertucio, trainee
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