Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) – South Cotabato

Organizational Profile

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) – South Cotabato is the provincial field office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII, mandated to implement national laws, policies, programs, and projects on the conservation, management, development, and sustainable utilization of the country's environment and natural resources within the Province of South Cotabato.

Headquartered in Koronadal City, PENRO South Cotabato serves as the primary implementing office for DENR programs across the province. It works closely with local government units, national government agencies, indigenous peoples, people's organizations, private stakeholders, educational institutions, and community partners to ensure the protection and sustainable management of forests, watersheds, wildlife, protected areas, mineral resources, and public lands.

Mandate

PENRO South Cotabato is responsible for implementing and enforcing environmental and natural resources laws, policies, and regulations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It promotes sustainable development through effective environmental governance, natural resource conservation, land administration, environmental education, and community participation.

Core Functions

The office performs the following major functions:

• Conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of forestlands and watersheds.
• Sustainable forest management and forest protection.
• Administration and disposition of alienable and disposable public lands.
• Management and conservation of biodiversity and wildlife resources.
• Management and protection of protected areas, including the Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape and Allah Valley Protected Landscape.
• Monitoring of mining and quarrying activities in coordination with concerned agencies.
• Enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
• Implementation of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction initiatives.
• Delivery of frontline services to the public in accordance with the Citizen's Charter.

Programs and Services

PENRO South Cotabato implements various flagship programs of the DENR, including:

• Forest Management Program
• Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP)
• Protected Area Management
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Wildlife Rescue and Protection
• Land Management Services
• Environmental Education and Information Campaigns
• Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM)
• Forest Law Enforcement
• Coastal and Inland Ecosystem Protection
• Watershed Management
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Initiatives

Commitment to Public Service

PENRO South Cotabato is committed to delivering efficient, transparent, and responsive public service while ensuring the sustainable management of the province's natural resources. Guided by the principles of environmental integrity, accountability, professionalism, and inclusive governance, the office continuously strengthens partnerships with stakeholders to promote ecological balance and improve the quality of life of present and future generations.

Through innovation, collaboration, and community participation, PENRO South Cotabato remains steadfast in its mission of safeguarding the environment while fostering sustainable development throughout the province.

Area of Jurisdiction and CENRO Coverage

PENRO South Cotabato exercises administrative and technical supervision over the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) within its area of jurisdiction. These field offices serve as the frontline implementers of DENR programs, projects, and environmental services at the community level.

The office supervises the following CENROs:

CENRO Banga

Area of Coverage:

• City of Koronadal
• Municipality of Banga
• Municipality of Lake Sebu
• Municipality of Norala
• Municipality of Sto. Niño
• Municipality of Surallah
• Municipality of Tantangan
• Municipality of T'boli

CENRO Banga is responsible for implementing DENR programs on forest protection, land management, biodiversity conservation, environmental law enforcement, and other frontline environmental services within its coverage area.

CENRO General Santos City

Area of Coverage:

• City of General Santos
• Municipality of Polomolok
• Municipality of Tampakan
• Municipality of Tupi

CENRO General Santos City oversees environmental protection, public land administration, forest resource management, wildlife conservation, and regulatory services within General Santos City and the western municipalities of South Cotabato under its jurisdiction.

Protected Area Management Offices (PAMOs)

In addition to supervising the CENROs, PENRO South Cotabato provides technical and administrative support to the Protected Area Management Offices responsible for conserving the province's protected landscapes, including:

• Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL)
• Allah Valley Protected Landscape (AVPL)

These protected areas play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, climate resilience, and the sustainable management of the province's natural ecosystems.