Photo Releases

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez discusses with local executives and representatives of her plans to transform the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from just a “regulatory arm” to a “development arm” during a dialogue held November 24, 2016 at the DENR-Social Hall on the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or RA 9003. Lopez likewise underscored her intent to work closely with local government units on area development management and put up economic zones to help alleviate poverty in rural areas.  This, even as she urged them to comply with the provisions of RA 9003, saying “there is profit when you invest in taking good care of the environment”.  ###

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez (standing) talks with Maximo Ricohermoso (left, in a dark blue coat), chairman of the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines, on the prospects of making seaweed farming a business venture for local communities in coastal areas, where the profit derived from seaweed farming should benefit all the residents in the area. She encourages everyone in the roundtable discussion to be a part of this initiative. ###

Senator Loren Legarda (with back to camera) and Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, named by Sen. Gringo Honasan as “the country’s leading advocates of gross national happiness,” exchange happy high fives after considering the designation of a “Minister for Happiness”, whose guidelines would be drafted by Lopez. ###

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez (center) receives congratulatory handshakes from Senators Panfilo Lacsin (with back to camera), Juan Miguel Zubiri (partially hidden by Lacson), Loren Legarda, and Cynthia Villar (partially hidden by Legarda) following the approval by Senate the PhP28.67-B budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for CY 2017. ###

Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Assistant Director Dr. Antonio C. Manila welcomes participants to the First Philippine Cave and Karst Forum held Nov. 9-10, 2016 at the National Museum in Manila.  Dr. Manila stressed the need to raise public awareness and understanding of caves and their resources to address the threats that endanger the cave ecosystem, such as increased demand for recreational sites, treasure hunting, pollution, illegal collection of cave resources, rapid urbanization, and lack of specific statutory protection.  According to him, caves are homes to specialized mineral formations, troglobites or species that live permanently in the dark environment of caves, and bodies of water such as cave rivers and pools. ###