Residents of Torrijos and nearby municipalities in southern Marinduque may now process permits, public land applications and other environmental concerns without traveling to the provincial capital of Boac.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources opened an Express Satellite Office on the second floor of the Old Municipal Building in Poblacion, Torrijos.
The office operates every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It was established by the DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Marinduque in partnership with the Torrijos municipal government.
Residents previously had to travel about 60 kilometers each way to reach the PENRO office in Boac.
The trip covers approximately 60.4 kilometers through the Mogpog-Sta. Cruz-Torrijos route or 59.7 kilometers through the Gasan-Buenavista-Torrijos route. According to DENR, a one-way journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.
This means clients from Torrijos could spend up to 4 hours traveling nearly 120 kilometers for a round trip, apart from the time needed to complete their transactions.
The satellite office accepts applications for tree-cutting, chainsaw and water permits. It also processes local transport permits for forest products and wildlife.
Residents may submit applications for residential, agricultural and special free patents at the office. Free patents are documents used to secure ownership of qualified public lands.
The office also assists clients with concerns involving the Environmental Management Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Other DENR technical assistance and client support services are available.
OIC-PENRO Cesar Odi said the office would reduce the travel time and transportation expenses of residents seeking DENR services.
“This initiative is about making government services more accessible and convenient for every Marinduqueño. By bringing DENR services closer to the people, we lessen travel time, reduce transportation costs, and make it easier for residents to avail themselves of the services they need,” Odi said.
The satellite office is expected to serve Torrijos residents and clients from other municipalities in southern Marinduque. DENR did not provide an estimate of how many people are expected to use the office or whether its operations would later expand beyond Wednesdays.
Residents may contact PENRO Marinduque at 0956-597-3758 or 0998-901-8883 for information about available services and documentary requirements.
