DOJ) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have recently launched a coordinated action to build environmental cases using a proven strategy that was previously successful in handling money laundering cases. This collaborative effort aims to improve the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes across the country.

The initiative was kicked off with a two-day Agenda Setting Meeting in Quezon City, attended by senior officials from both agencies and focusing on identifying real environmental cases for joint development into formal complaints. This approach mirrors the successful model used by the DOJ in tackling money laundering, which helped the Philippines exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

The meeting resulted in the selection of environmental cases from seven priority regions for joint case build-up. These cases involve violations of various environmental laws, such as the Forestry Code, Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Mining Act, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The DENR will provide technical expertise and support, while the NPS will commit to enforcing environmental laws more effectively. The event was seen as a significant move towards stronger environmental law enforcement and a shift from fragmented efforts to strategic, coordinated action. The next step is a Palawan Workshop in July 2025, where these identified cases will undergo in-depth preparation for preliminary investigation and potential prosecution.

By addressing common obstacles in environmental law enforcement, such as communication gaps and inconsistent data, and forming regional working groups, the DOJ and DENR aim to enhance their efforts in protecting the environment and holding violators accountable. This collaborative approach signifies a renewed commitment to environmental protection and aims to serve as a deterrent to future environmental offenses.