By Kenneth Marcos 
Before sunrise, Estero Rangers across Metro Manila begin their rounds, wading through narrow waterways to clear trash and watch for possible violations. This week, they gained new tools to protect the environment as the DENR Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO)–East held a two-day training to strengthen their knowledge of key environmental laws and improve their response during field operations.
The session, led by OIC Director Edralin Licuan and the Enforcement Unit, focused on laws that Estero Rangers frequently encounter in their daily work. These include Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code, which defines illegal logging and sets penalties for cutting trees without proper authority. They also studied Presidential Decree 953, which requires tree planting in specific areas and punishes the destruction of trees and ornamental plants.
The group also went through Republic Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002. This law strictly regulates the use of chainsaws and requires operators to secure valid permits. Trainers explained that many Rangers encounter chainsaw activity along rivers, creeks, and informal pathways, making it essential for them to identify potential violations and report them properly. Clear reporting, they were told, helps prevent illegal loggers from escaping accountability.
Another major topic was Republic Act 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Because Rangers often discover birds, reptiles, and other animals displaced by flooding or construction, the training emphasized the proper handling and turnover of rescued wildlife. The DENR stressed that any recovered animal must be transported safely and turned over through the correct chain of custody to ensure both the animal’s welfare and the accuracy of official records.
After the lectures, Enforcement Unit Head Arnel Matreo facilitated a hands-on workshop on preparing incident reports in Filipino. The goal was to help Estero Rangers document cases more clearly and systematically. Accurate reports, the DENR noted, allow enforcement officers to respond faster and strengthen cases when violations reach legal channels.
Participants practiced recording details such as location, time, people involved, and evidence found at the scene. They were also trained on the importance of taking photographs and gathering witness accounts when available. Trainers reminded them that good documentation is a frontline defense against illegal activities that threaten forests, watersheds, and wildlife habitats.
With Metro Manila facing recurring problems such as clogged esteros, illegal logging in nearby areas, and the loss of natural habitats, the DENR said the improved skills of Estero Rangers will play a vital role in environmental protection. Strengthened enforcement, they added, supports the broader goal of building cleaner, safer, and more resilient communities.
As the newly trained Rangers return to their assignments, the agency hopes they will respond faster to illegal tree cutting, unpermitted chainsaw use, and wildlife discoveries. The DENR encouraged the public to cooperate by reporting suspicious activities and supporting local clean-up drives.
Protecting the environment, the agency emphasized, begins at the community level—one report, one rescued animal, and one safeguarded waterway at a time.
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