Why IEG?

With the devolution of government powers accompanying the passage of the Local Government Code of 1991 (R.A.7160), Local Government Units (LUGs) were granted powers to effecgovernance in their respective jurisdictions. Among the devolved functions are those that used to be solely under the environment  department, like pollution regulation and solid wste management, management of communal forests and adoption of integrated social forestry, small scale mining regulation, and other related functions. Fiisheries management and regulatory functions in municipal waters have likewise been devolved to local governments. Barangay captians are specifically tasked to “enforce laws and regulations relating to pollution control and protection of the environment”. Maors on the other hande, are mandated to adoptd measures to safeguard and conserve natural resources of the municipality or city. Indeed, with the passge of the local government code and other relevant environmental legislations, increasing power and responsibility oon the environment have been passed or granted to local governments. However, the devolution of these powers and responsibilities does not necessarly equate to actual transfer of capacity, thus, there is a challenge of providing the much-needed capacity to enable local executives and local policy makers better perform their given mandate.