Sammy Gambar: ‘We are now here, the protector of environment’

Macacua was the keynote speaker in the said activity organized by the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners-Cotabato and Maguindanao Chapter. 

On his message, he underscored that “among the destroyers of environment, war is among the most destructive.”

As Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy, he assured that he will now be the “protector of environment”. 

He also called the different stakeholders, particularly the new planners, to be involved in careful planning for the sustainable use of the natural resources in the BARMM. 

BTA member Atty. Suharto Ambolodto on his message during the event emphasized the importance of planners in reducing poverty in Maguindanao. 

He said he expected the planners to be catalysts in understanding the local situations and in crafting better plans. 

Environmental planner Celestino F. Desamito represented the PIEP-National and served as induction officer. 

Desamito was adjudged by the Professional Regulation Commission in 2016 as the Most Outstanding Environmental Planner. 

On his part, he encouraged environmental planners to join voluntarily in helping the Bangsamoro region in particular in the crafting of development plans. 

He also challenged the PIEP-Cotabato and Maguindanao Chapter to become one of the most active chapters of PIEP. 

Started in 2017, PIEP-Cotabato and Maguindanao was organized after its founders thought of how to consolidate their expertise in providing planning services in the province. 

Members are mostly practicing planners of Cotabato City and Maguindanao, agriculturists, engineers, economists, and assessors, most of whom have planning license from PRC. 

The current President of the Chapter is Engr. Datu Nulfarid “Paul” S. Ampatuan, the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator of Maguindanao.

He succeeded the founding president, Director Kamaludin Laguiab Jr. of BARMM Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, whose term ended last year. 

RA 10587, the law regulating the planning profession in the country, recognizes the importance of environmental planning in nation-building and development. 

The law mandates the government to develop and nurture productive and well-rounded professional environmental planners whose standards of practice and service shall be excellent and globally competitive.