Highlighting unity and a shared vision for environmental sustainability, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7 (DENR-7) and its attached bureaus took center stage during the Kapihan sa PIA forum held on June 4, 2025 in line with the Philippine Environment Month 2025.

The press briefing, hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Region 7 (PIA-7) in celebration of Philippine Environment Month, brought together regional chiefs from the DENR, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and the Center for Research and Development on Coastal and Inland Wetlands to present their collective achievements from January to April 2025.

A Unified Front for Central Visayas

While the forum covered a broad slate of environmental milestones—ranging from massive reforestation and protected area conservation to intensive air and water quality monitoring, solid waste management, and microplastics pollution control—it also served as an open forum for the bureaus to reinforce their commitment to grassroots support.

Representing the geosciences sector, MGB-7 Regional Director Engr. Armando L. Malicse presented key departmental milestones. Despite facing minimal technical scrutiny or controversial issues from the floor, Malicse utilized the platform to reassure local government units (LGUs) and sister agencies of MGB-7’s unwavering technical backing.

Open-Door Policy for Local Government Units

Echoing nationwide commitments made by MGB offices during the 2025 Environment Month, Malicse underscored that scientific data must seamlessly integrate with local executive governance to ensure public safety.

“Our lines are completely open,” Malicse stated during the briefing. “Whether a local community, an LGU, or our partners in the DENR need technical clearances for mining, immediate groundwater evaluations, or geohazard vulnerability assessments, MGB-7 is fully prepared to coordinate and deploy the necessary resources.”

This proactive collaborative stance mirrors strategies seen across other regions during the same period, where MGB offices heavily prioritized bridging the gap between complex geoscientific research and local legislative action.

By utilizing the Kapihan sa PIA platform to align the achievements of the DENR, EMB, and MGB, regional leaders sent a clear message to Central Visayas stakeholders: navigating the challenges of climate risk and resource management requires a united, frictionless approach between state scientists and local leaders. (IO)