TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will soon have a research and development hub for forestry and agriculture as well as for fisheries and marine resources in Cagayan Valley.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga personally led the ground-breaking for the new provincial environment office in Cagayan at the Regional Government Center in Tuguegarao City, where the hub will be established.

Loyzaga said the facility is part of the department’s goal to set up a green and blue initiatives hub in the different parts of the country. 

DENR’s green and blue economy refers to programs developed and initiated in the fisheries and marine sectors and the agriculture and forestry sectors. 

She said that aside from the research and development initiatives to be conducted in the hub, strategies to address climate change mitigation and adaptation are also incorporated as one of its functions.

“This is one of the six hubs to be established nationwide and this hub is the first marine scientific site in the country,” the secretary said. 

The project was funded through the initiative of Cagayan 3rd district Representative Joseph ‘Jojo’ Lara with an initial cost of P11 million. 

Aside from its function as a hub facility, it will also serve as a multifunctional space accommodating offices, conference rooms, and communal areas for collaborative work for PENRO Cagayan personnel, its partners, and other stakeholders.

Lara, in his message, said that the fulfillment of the project is a way of giving back the chances given to him to serve the public.

“I have been helping government agencies to build their respective offices because I believe that by providing a conducive workplace to our employees, they will perform and function better as public servants” Lara added.

Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn C. Bambalan expressed her gratitude to the offices of Representative Lara and Secretary Loyzaga for their support in establishing the facility, which she said, was a dream come true to DENR Cagayan employees.  

“This is another place where we can display our commitment towards ethical stewardship for the environment and a place where we can demonstrate loyalty to our mandates,” 

The construction has officially commenced and is expected to be completed within the year. (OTB/GVB/PIA-2)