Section 40. The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer. —

1. The city environment and natural resources officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Cabuyao, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in environment, forestry, agriculture or in any other related course from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He or she must have acquired experience in environment and natural resources management, conservation and utilization work for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of his or her appointment.

2. The city environment and natural resources officer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and allowances as may be determined by law.

3. The city environment and natural resources officer shall take charge of the city environment service department, and shall:

   1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the sangguniang panlungsod and provide assistance and support to the city mayor in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to environment and natural resources services as provided for under Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991;

   2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the city mayor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the environment and natural resources programs and projects which the city mayor is empowered to implement and which the sangguniang panlungsod is empowered to provide;

   3. Establish, maintain, protect and preserve communal forests, watersheds, tree parks, mangroves, greenbelts and similar forest projects and commercial forests, like industrial tree farms and agro-forestry projects;

   4. Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and technical, financial and infrastructure assistance;

   5. Manage and maintain seed banks and produce seedlings for forests and tree parks;

   6. Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and render assistance for natural resources-related conservation and utilization activities consistent with ecological balance;

   7. Promote the small-scale mining and utilization of mineral resources, particularly mining of gold;

   8. Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations in the implementation of measures to prevent and control land, air and water pollution with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);

   9. Be in the frontline of the delivery of services concerning the environment and natural resources, particularly in the renewal and rehabilitation of the environment during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or calamities;

   10. Recommend measures to the sangguniang panlungsod and advise the city mayor on all matters relative to the protection, conservation, maximum utilization, application of appropriate technology and other matters related to the environment and natural resources; and

   11. Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.