THE Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to strengthen the protection of the country’s environment and natural resources.
The MOA centered on the strengthening of coordination and collaboration between the two agencies in investigating and prosecuting cases involving the ecosystem, as well as developing policies to support these initiatives.”
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga inked the landmark accord.
“The point is we will all retire from where we stand right now, where we sit, and what legacy we are going to leave behind and that is of course this is an institutional measure that we want to last several lifetimes for the generations that will come after us,” said Remulla.
This agreement essentially amplifies the case build-up policy of the DOJ in relation to Department Circular No. 20, series of 2023, extending its scope to cover environmental crimes.
It also advocates the formulation of joint policies aimed at ensuring accountability for environmental offenders and improving the rate of their conviction.
This initiative will ensure that complaints filed with the DOJ-National Prosecution Service are supported by solid, credible evidence thereby significantly increasing the chances of securing convictions in court.
The DENR has committed to providing funding for capacity-building training programs for the DOJ prosecutors and DENR law enforcement officers.
