Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu (left) announces the creation of the Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS) while awaiting the passage of the bill creating the Environmental Protection and Enforcement Bureau. The Service shall serve as the Department’s enforcement arm and is patterned after mainstream law enforcement agencies. The announcement was made during the launching of the first-ever specialized course on environmental law enforcement under the DENR Environment and Natural Resources Academy held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City on Sept. 17. Also in photo are Undersecretary for Legal, Administration, Human Resources and Legislative Affairs Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr. (center), Undersecretary for Enforcement Benito Antonio T. de Leon (right), and course participants (inset). ###