It seems that things are running so fast over at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), so fast that we are losing track of the developments inside the agency. Just three weeks since the stinging criticisms that the Post, in its lonely crusade that other media organizations refused to join, raised against the DENR for being helpless in the face of the brazen disregard for its laws, the wheels rolled. First, the OIC Regional Director issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against the further implementation of a controversial project at the Dumaluan beach resort. In a little more than a week after a brief visit by DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes to Panglao, the order that took too long in coming popped out.

What followed next was the sudden reshuffling of the top DENR posts in the province. While it was supposed to be a routine culmination activity for the DENR Friday to conclude the celebration of June as environment month, it turned out to be a despedida party for provincial environment and natural resources officer Arius Ilano and Tagbilaran community environment and natural resources officer Alipio Llorente who were reassigned to the regional office and Talibon respectively. Until this time, there have been no formal announcements about the revamp, triggering speculations that Reyes was terribly disappointed by the DENR's helplessness against violations on environmental restrictions in Bohol .

As the Post had exposed, the Dumaluan resort construction did not have an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and violated the prohibition against structures within the 20-meter salvage zone. The paper had lamented that the DENR had virtually turned the other way while the violations were being committed. Ilano and Llorente did not even have the decency to answer the allegations. Sources however confirmed that Reyes blew his top when he read the scathing Post editorials and demanded immediate action from the concerned officials. When none came, the revamp was ordered.

The Post now takes back its word, meaning we put back “Department” into the DENR. Reyes deserves no less than a salute for the swift and decisive action. Like the military officer that he was, this “angel” is not afraid to step on sensitive toes that had become overconfident. It is interesting how things will turn out in the coming days, especially if the CDO is disregarded. This early, there is reason to look up to Reyes as the “guardian angel” of Panglao's environmental resources.