This article is written and edited by Raphael Canalita.

On September 21 and 22, the Naga City People’s Council, in collaboration with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Naga City, represented by Mr. CJ Zantua, and the Ateneo de Naga Ignatian Apostolate Office, represented by Mr. Dave Bercasio, conducted a seminar on climate justice and a training session for the deputized Environmental Enforcers. Members of the Barangay People’s Council and other barangay officials from Abella, Bagumbayan Norte, Calauag, Peñafrancia, San Isidro, and Santa Cruz, attended the seminar and training. 

The event aimed to promote environmental awareness and the necessity for barangays to enhance environmental health in accordance with the provisions mandated by City Ordinance 2020-065. With the creation of City Ordinance No. 2020-065, Environmental Enforcers have been established and are deputized by the City Mayor to issue citation tickets to violators of the city ordinance and other environmental laws. The Environmental Enforcer serves as the implementing body for the city’s environmental laws, encompassing both city and barangay ordinances as well as local and national laws.

The seminar and training sessions will equip incoming Environmental Enforcers with the knowledge and operational guidelines outlined in City Ordinance No. 2020-065.

Raphael Canalita is a volunteer of the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines Foundation, Inc. Batch 44 assigned to the Naga City People’s Council for his year of service. After graduating BS Psychology in the Ateneo de Manila University, he was deployed to organize the farmers, youth and children of Naga City, and is the artist behind the current branding of NCPC.