Under DAO 2007-29, the action that triggers reporting to DENR is encroachment on what?

• A. Forest reserve
• B. Water boundary
• C. Adjacent private land
• D. Public land

Answer: (D)

The action tested is that encroachment on public land triggers reporting to the DENR because DENR handles the management and enforcement of lands that belong to the public domain. When someone occupies or uses public land without authority, it signals a violation of national land and environmental laws, so the proper step is to report the encroachment to DENR for investigation and possible enforcement actions. Public land is the government’s domain, and directing such encroachment to DENR ensures consistent handling, preservation of resources, and alignment with the agency’s mandate. Encroachment on private land is outside DENR’s primary enforcement scope, and issues like encroachment on specific areas such as forest reserves or near water boundaries are often addressed through more specialized processes or authorities, whereas the general trigger in this context is encroachment on public land.