General Guidelines for the Referral of Cases to the Office of the Environmental Ombudsman ( DENR Administrative Order No. 15-08 )

August 11, 2008

DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 15-08

In the interest of the service and towards establishing a partnership between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Office of the Ombudsman for a more effective enforcement of environment and natural resources laws, rules and regulations, the following general guidelines for the referral of cases to the Environmental Ombudsman are hereby adopted:

1. Where administrative cases are filed against DENR officials, both with the Ombudsman and the DENR, the Environmental Ombudsman shall have primary jurisdiction to investigate the case, and the DENR shall make the appropriate referral of all related documents and records pertaining to the case;

2. New administrative complaints filed solely with the DENR shall be subjected to initial evaluation and/or fact-finding investigation by the Legal Service and then referred to the Environmental Ombudsman with appropriate recommendations;

3. Whenever required, the DENR will provide the necessary technical assistance as well as prepare the requisite complete staff work for submission to the Environmental Ombudsman to facilitate the speedy resolution and/or disposition of cases. IaDcTC

This Order shall take effect immediately.

 

(SGD.) JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.Secretary