CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — More than 200 residents from the municipalities of Sta. Cruz and Candelaria in Zambales benefited from improved access to government services as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a mobile permitting drive and environmental assistance initiative in line with the celebration of Earth Day.
The two-day activity, led by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Masinloc, brought essential services directly to barangays Guisguis, Guinabon, and Uacon. Residents received on-site assistance for chainsaw registration, land titling, tree-cutting permits, and applications for tenurial instruments.
CENRO Masinloc Officer Donaver Guevarra said the initiative aimed to remove barriers to accessing government services, particularly for communities located far from government offices.
In addition to frontline services, the DENR distributed 50,000 forestry and fruit-bearing seedlings to support reforestation efforts, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for local residents.
Marife Castillo, provincial head of the DENR office in Zambales, emphasized the importance of bringing government programs closer to communities.
“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.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo underscored that grassroots-level service delivery strengthens both public service and environmental stewardship.
“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., as part of their commitments to environmental protection, rehabilitation, and reforestation.
Guevarra added that CENRO Masinloc will continue to expand community-based programs and strengthen partnerships aimed at improving access to public services, promoting sustainable development, and encouraging responsible stewardship of natural resources. (PR-DENR Central Luzon)