Salonga Center drafts Leyte green code
February 12, 2010

the Weekly Sillimanian Editorial (Feb. 12, 2010) * full editorial is displayed below

As requested by the provincial government of Leyte and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), an international cooperation enterprise, the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development finished the initial drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Environmental Code of the Province of Leyte.

Approved by the province’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan on February 8, 2008, the Environmental Code aims to promote principles of ecologically sustainable development and ensure that all reasonable and practicable measures are undertaken by the local government units to prevent harm to the environment and to enhance its quality.

The Code was compared to the different environmental ordinances of Leyte’s municipalities and national laws on the environment to make sure that it was consistent with local and national laws.

According to Atty. Mikhail Maxino, Director of Salonga Center, the GTZ and the provincial government decided to offer the project to them without going through a bidding process because they were impressed with the results of a previous project in southern Leyte.

“We’re very happy and honored that the Salonga Center and SIlliman University has been able to assist the government of Leyte in drafting the IRR and has [done its] part in protecting the environment,” said Maxino.

A team from the Salonga Center will be going to Tacloban, Leyte on February 19 to attend a validation workshop in which the first draft of the IRR will be presented to representatives of the province, the private sector, government agencies and non-government organizations for evaluation, consultation, and recommendations. (by Donna Amethyst R. Bernardo)