Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla announced the establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) office with forester Charlie Fabre as Officer-in-Charge Regional Executive Director (OIC-RED).
This move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of Republic Act (RA) No. 12000, which officially reestablished the Negros Island Region in mid-2024, including the island province of Siquijor.
The NIR was originally created in 2015, comprising Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, but was abolished in 2017.
“Negros Island Region is home to critical watersheds, biodiversity hotspots, and vibrant coastal and marine ecosystems.”
“The establishment of the DENR-NIR marks a significant step towards ensuring environmental conservation in the Negros Island Region, which is home to critical watersheds, biodiversity hotspots, and vibrant coastal and marine ecosystems, including the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area and the Sagay Marine Reserve in Negros Occidental, as well as the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park and Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape in Negros Oriental,” Lotilla said.
Fabre previously held the position of Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services in DENR Central Visayas Region.
Lotilla also designated Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya as the OIC Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services, Chief Geologist Benigno Cesar Espejo as the OIC Regional Director for the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and Chief Environmental Management Specialist Vicente S. Losbanes as the OIC Regional Director for the Environmental Management Bureau.
The new leadership team is expected to collaborate with local government units, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to fulfill their mandates related to forest protection, solid waste management, coastal and marine resource conservation, and climate resilience.
