THE newly installed Community Environmental and Natural Resources Officer (CENR Officer) for Gingoog City plans to establish assistance posts at existing monitoring checkpoints to expand the agency's services to nearby communities.
CENR Officer Jamel A. Tiburon, who assumed his post on July 25, said he observed that people from far-flung areas, particularly from the eastern part of Misamis Oriental, often travel to his office just to inquire about requirements for land titling, tree-cutting permits, and other information.
Tiburon acknowledged that online processes are available for obtaining permits and land titles. However, he noted that not everyone has access to a cellphone or internet signal, making face-to-face transactions essential.
“We also know that not everyone has a cellphone, not everyone has wifi, and not every area has a signal, so face-to-face transactions are still important,” Tiburon said.
Due to this observation, Tiburon plans to make the new assistance posts one of his key programs.
The hubs would serve communities near the checkpoints, providing checklists and information, and saving residents the time and money spent traveling to Gingoog City.
Medina Vice Mayor Paulo Magallanes praised the plan, calling it a great help for his constituents. He expressed hope for a similar DENR expansion office in Medina to assist with processes such as pasture and foreshore leases.
“Medina is part of the Balatukan Range, which also needs a monitoring checkpoint to help protect our forests and wildlife there,” Magallanes said.
Tiburon also plans to establish a new monitoring checkpoint for wildlife in the town of Balingoan.
