MANDATE (E.O. 192, s. 1987)

The Department is the primary agency responsible for the conservation,

management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment

and natural resources, specifically forest and grazing lands, mineral

resources, including those in reservation and watershed areas, and lands

of the public domain, as well as the licensing and regulation of all natural

resources as may be provided for by law in order to ensure equitable sharing

of the benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present and future

generations of Filipinos.

To accomplish this mandate, the Department shall be guided by the

following objectives:

1. Assure the availability and sustainability of the country's natural

resources through judicious use and systematic restoration or

replacement, whenever possible;

2. Increase the productivity of natural resources in order to meet the

demands for forest, mineral, and land resources if a growing population;

3. Enhance the contribution of natural resources for achieving national

economic and social development;

4. Promote equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors

of the population; and

5. Conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the

Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future

generations.