IBA, Zambales (PIA) — More than 200 residents in the municipalities of Sta. Cruz and Candelaria, Zambales gained easier access to government services as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a mobile permitting drive and environmental assistance activity in their barangays in line with the Earth Day celebration.
DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Masinloc Head Donaver Guevarra said the initiative provided on-site services to residents of Barangays Guisguis, Guinabon, and Uacon, including chainsaw registration, land titling assistance, tree-cutting permits, and applications for tenurial instruments.
The agency also distributed 50,000 forestry and fruit-bearing seedlings to support reforestation, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable livelihood opportunities in local communities.
Meanwhile, DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Zambales chief Marife Castillo said bringing services closer to communities improves public access to government assistance while strengthening local participation in environmental protection.
“By bringing both services and environmental support directly to the barangays, we are helping communities access government assistance more easily while encouraging shared responsibility in protecting and restoring our natural resources,” Castillo said.
For his part, DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized that delivering services at the barangay level removes barriers for citizens and promotes greater public engagement in environmental efforts.
“Taking DENR services to the barangay level removes barriers for ordinary citizens and shows that protecting our forests goes hand in hand with serving the public. When communities, government and industry work together, we plant not only trees but also long-term resilience,” Pablo said.
The activity was conducted in partnership with Eramen Minerals Inc., Zambales Diversified Metals Corp., and Zambales Chromite Mining Inc., in support of their environmental protection, rehabilitation, and reforestation commitments.
Guevarra said CENRO Masinloc will continue to strengthen community-based programs and partnerships to improve access to public services, promote sustainable development, and encourage responsible stewardship of natural resources.
The initiative supports the national government’s efforts to strengthen environmental governance and bring essential public services closer to communities, particularly those with limited access to government assistance.
