Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza issued a special order reorganizing his department?s regional executive directors.

Atienza said the reassignment is part of the continuing effort to bring about a more effective governance. ?While we have done so much last year, I believe we can do more. With the new team, I expect more effective environmental governance, particularly in the enforcement of environmental laws.?

The regional officials will not only exercise authority but also observe accountability, Atienza said. ?Any illegal activity in their respective jurisdictions, especially illegal logging, illegal mining and degradation of water bodies and protected areas, the REDs will be made responsible and liable. If warranted, charges will be filed against negligent DENR officials,? Atienza stressed.

The newly assigned regional executive directors are:

Primitivo Galinato Jr.-Cordillera Administrative Region (formerly detailed to the legal division of the Forest Management Bureau); Corazon Davis-Region 1 (formerly of DENR-NCR); Laureano Lingan Jr.-Region 2 (formerly regional technical director for Forestry, Region 2); Antonio Principe-Region 3 (formerly with the Office of Undersecretary for Field Operations); Jose Andres Diaz-National Capital Region (formerly assistant director of Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau); Nilo Tamoria-Region 4-A; Marcial Amaro Jr.-Region 4-B; Joselin Marcus Fragada-Region 5; Ricardo Calderon-Region 6 (formerly of Region 11);

Leonardo Sibbaluca-Region 7; Regidor de Leon-Region 8 (formerly RED of Region 3); Maximo Dichoso-Region 9 (formerly of Region 10); Ernesto D. Adobo Jr.-Region 10 (formerly RED of Region 9); Jim Sampulna-Region 11 (formerly RED of Region 12); Raquil-ali Lucman-Region 12 (formerly provincial environment and natural resources officer for Misamis Occidental, Region 10); and Edilberto Buiser-Region 13.

Under DENR Special Order 2009-01, all the newly assigned regional directors are required to report to their new assignment on Jan. 9. As such, they were ordered to clear themselves of all their accountabilities from their prior assignments, Atienza said.

The order also barred the regional officials from bringing their service vehicles to their new assignments.