Espino and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza signed the deputation order after which he took his oath before Atienza at the provincial Capitol building.
Atienza launched the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional People's Hour here Friday morning at the Pangasinan State University convention hall.
The DENR chief distributed 216 land titles covering a total of 77 hectares located in the Ilocos Region. This is under the "Handog Titulo" program of the department.
He ordered all provincial environment and natural resources officers (Penros), community environment and natural resources officers (Cenros) and other field officers to always coordinate, cooperate, work and follow the orders of the governor as the highest environment officer in the province.
With his deputation as Senro, Espino said he appreciates the trust given to him by the environment secretary.
"It is not the authority and power I am after, I want the local officials to know I am accountable as the highest elected officer in Pangasinan. But let me emphasize that this is outside politics. It strengthens my will now in the implementation of the environmental laws," he said.
The governor, however, cannot decide on projects that will greatly affect the environment, such as cement plants.
But Atienza said they would listen to what the governor will say and recommend, as he is the best person to acknowledge or appreciate environmental concerns.
Espino has been an advocate for environment protection and preservation since he was in the police service.
He reported to Atienza that in 1995 when he was the police provincial director of Pangasinan, he was a member of both the Lingayen Gulf Commission and the Agno River Commission.
The executive orders creating the commissions were signed by former President Fidel Ramos.
He is also an active member of the Save the Lingayen Gulf Movement in 1994-1995.
He further said through his initiative, more than five million trees have been planted since year 2001 when he was congressman in the province's second district.
He launched it through his program "Green the Mountains Again."
The Provincial Board, on the other hand, has passed a provincial ordinance requiring Grade VI pupils to plant trees before they will be given their diploma -- the full implementation of which is still being studied.
As Senro, Espino is "authorized to manage, conserve, protect and oversee all foreshore lands within the territorial jurisdiction of the province.
He has the power to enforce all pertinent national and local laws, rules and regulations governing foreshore areas.
He is also authorized "to apprehend or seize the tools, equipment, structures and conveyances used in the commission of offences to environmental law including all natural resources and/or products extracted/cut/gathered/removed and possessed by the offender(s) in the process of committing the offense."
Espino can create or deputize his own task force.
His deputation order further authorizes him "to administer oath and to take acknowledgement in official matters connected with the functions of his office, and to take testimony in official investigations conducted under the authority of the laws cited, as amended, and their implementing rules and regulations."
Espino joins the ranks of Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado as deputized Senros.
