DENR goes to provinces to resolve land disputes, mining claims

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday launched its "Regional People's Hour" caravan in a bid to end decades-old cases of land disputes and mining claims in the countryside. The program was launched at the Pangasinan State University in Lingayen, in Region 1 where DENR Secretary Lito Atienza presided over the first "Regional People’s Hour." “The launch of the Regional People’s Hour in Region 1 signals the start of a nationwide effort to provide the people with better access to government. Various issues on the environment and natural resources confront every region in the country. These must (be) addressed decisively and expeditiously," the DENR chief said. Previously, Atienza held “People’s Hour" every Thursdays at the DENR main office along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City. However, he decided to conduct the People’s Hour to the countryside after realizing what poor people, including farmers from as far as Mindanao, had to go through just to reach the capital city and the DENR central office in order to follow up on their transactions, which could have been acted upon in the regions. Atienza noted that several times during the conduct of the People’s Hour, he encountered people who presented to him documents that were already brittle and torn at the edges, indicating that their cases, which are around 10 to 20 years old, remain unresolved to this day. “Many return home frustrated because despite all their efforts and several attempts and after spending so much hard-earned money, they accomplish nothing," Atienza lamented. “It is unfortunate that some issues took many years to resolve. But it is fortunate that decisions are now being made outright on several matters," he added. Atienza said that after the August 1 launch of the program, the DENR regional office would regularly hold--- on a weekly basis--- the Regional People’s Hour. - GMANews.TV