A Community Passion (ComPassion) Project was spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 led by Regional Executive Director (RED) Livino B. Duran. It was held at the Sibalom Natural Park in Sibalom, Antique on November 23, 2023.

This is among the ComPassion Projects conducted by the region, namely: the simultaneous Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on Wheels in Sipalay, Negros Occidental, CENRO Barotac Nuevo and CENRO Guimbal in the province of Iloilo, and CENRO Belison in the province of Antique last October 24, 2023. Furthermore, a “DENR ADR sa Barangay Estoryahan Ta!” Program was conducted in the province of Capiz on September 5, 2023 and in the province of Aklan on September 13, 2023, respectively.

The ComPassion Project done at the SNP was also in line with the 50^th Founding Anniversary of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB). Atree planting activity was the highlight of the Project, with DENR 6 officials and personnel, Career Executive Service Board (CESB) Eligibles, Peoples Organization (PO), Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) members, and the Information Officers (IOs) of the DENR 6 regionwide joining the planting of a hundred different native tree species (Nato, Lanipga, Pangadlawan, Bakan, Narra and Palomaria) within the vicinity of the park.

Also, lectures were given by the technical personnel of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Conservation and Development Division (CDD) on Clean Air Act (RA8749),Clean Water Act (RA 9275), Vulnerability Assessment of SNP, the governing laws and regulations of theexpanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems (e-NIPAS), Protected Area and Watershed.After the presentations, an open forum was conducted where the participants asked and clarified their concerns.

“This is not just simply about ordinary tree planting or environmental lectures. Rather, this ComPassion Project is to serve with a purpose and to unite the Department’s goals to what the community needed and wanted. This is one avenue where we could present to them the things they could do and the things they are restricted to do within our Protected Area and their community as well,” said RED Duran.

Moreover, RED Duran believes that the DENR Information Officers have an important role to playin the Department’s goal, describing them as “the mouthpiece of the office in information dissemination, especially to give the public a clearer view of what the DENR is doing.”

Launched in 2020 the ComPassion Project covers the five (5) pillars of Sustainable Development Goals, namely: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.