MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon JP Paje who visited Cebu last Monday, June 11, as part of activities marking the DENR’s silver anniversary, said the country, as indicated in the 2012 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), is a “strong performer” in terms of environmental performance.

Said EPI, which was developed by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the European Commission, affirms, on a global standard basis, the “correctness and sustainability of the environmental policies, programs and reforms being implemented by the Aquino administration.,” according to Paje, who further informed that the “Philippines, of 132 countries, had a ranking (in the EPI) which rose to 42 this year from 50 in 2010.”

He said the country outranked Australia, the United States, Singapore, and Israel who were all under the “modest performer category,” with respective rankings of 48, 49, 52, and 61.

Paje also said the Philippines was given perfect (100 points) scores for protecting forest cover based on the Aquino government’s logging ban policy, growing forest stock under the administration’s National Greening Program, carbon dioxide per capita for increasing carbon sequestration by growing forests, provision of agricultural subsidies for lowland and upland farmers, and for reducing outdoor air pollution.

Meanwhile, the DENR secretary lauded DENR-7 for consistently being a model region that implements valuable programs and activities to ensure the protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources in the country.

Paje also urged all DENR-7 employees “to treat this government differently, that is, different from past administrations,” and reminded them to “always follow the right path.”

Stressed the top DENR official, “Let me make this region as a representative of the entire country.”

DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso, meanwhile said that a display of professionalism along with a unified effort in working for a common cause, that is, environmental protection and preservation and responsiveness in service, has contributed to DENR-7’s overall success and accomplishments.