San Fernando City, La Union – In the exigency of a new and equally exceptional RED upon the appointment of Former RED Corazon C. Davis as Assistant Secretary of the DENR Administration and Finance, DENR Secretary Eleazar P. Quinto issued an order for Director Samuel R. Peñafiel as the New Regional Executive Director of DENR Region 1.

RED Peñafiel has been serving the public for several years now and garnered various recognitions in his field of endeavor. He hails from Iguig, Cagayan, married to Madam Amparo Mangoba, and are residing at Baguio City.    .
RED Peñafiel is a forester by profession. He specializes in areas of Ecological Governance, and Natural Resources and Environmental Management including Biodiversity Conservation. He published about 48 scientific, technological and popular articles in local and international scientific publications/journals. These papers were also presented in various scientific organizations here and in 20 countries around the world.
Among the distinctions he garnered are GAWAD Lingkod Uliran for government and public service, and a distinguished achievement award for processing or issuing the highest number of public land applications for Luzon in support of the SONA commitment of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo.  He was awarded for public service and for environmental protection by the city government of Baguio and the Filipino Chinese Community Baguio Chapter.
Prior to his assignment in the region, he occupied various positions, to wit: Program Director and concurrent Program Coordinator for Pasig River Rehabilitation Program and Mt. Makiling and Laguna de Bay Commission;  Director of protected areas and Wildlife Bureau, Center Director for Eastern Visayas Forest Research center; and as RED in Regions 9, IV (Calabarzon, mainland and Island areas)  3 and  CAR.  He is currently the Philippine National Focal Point for the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research and Executive Director of the Land Administration and Management Program.  
 Hence, in a simple turn-over ceremonies at the DENR Regional Office, the Civil Service Commission headed by Director Bienvenida Ragucos, AREX President Director Oscar Mabalot and NUCESO President –Director Washington Agustin, with the full force of DENR employees, warmly welcomed RED Peñafiel to Region 1. Another leader to bring the region in the forefront of development.