DENR partners with Bataan to establish land use map, air quality monitoring

Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga leads the signing of a partnership agreement for Project Transform on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in Bataan. INQUIRER.net photo / Jean Mangaluz

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), several stakeholders, and the provincial government of Bataan on Tuesday signed several agreements establishing projects such as a geo-database, mangrove rehabilitation, air quality monitoring systems and more.

The Project Transform (transdisciplinary approach towards sustainability and resilience through multi-stakeholder engagement) has several agreements under it, but focuses on collaboration on the local and national level when it comes to the environment.

Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga during the signing of a partnership agreement in Bataan. INQUIRER.net photo / Jean Mangaluz

“Project Transform, which will be officially launched today, is one of the concrete applications of how a local government may move together in continuous consultation with the DENR and all the stakeholders,” said Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga during the launch in Bataan.

Loyzaga said that Bataan had already created a multisectoral approach in its environmental policies, from academia, the private sector and civil society.

“There are many projects that are lined up, some with very hard timelines that are ready to go,” she said.

One of the projects underway is the 1 Bataan Base Map: Land Inventory Project, which is a geo-database that shows land use and allocation in the province, said the DENR.

Also under Project Transform is the agreement to establish air quality monitoring and early warning systems.

Mangrove rehabilitation is also included in the program through private sector engagement, with activities such as reforestation, restoration, education and livelihood support.

Programs on greenhouse accounting, economic resilience, and barangay resilience were also established under Project Transform.

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