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.

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Published: 04 December 2023

Information Officers (IOs) from the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG) and the different Provincial ENROs and Community ENROs all over Western Visayas held their annual meeting and exposure trip on November 22-24, 2023, at Sibalom Natural Park (SNP) and Villa Valderrama Mountain Resort (VVMR) in Antique.

After years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IOs once again had the opportunity to reconnect, present this year’s highlight of activities from their respective PENROs and CENROs, and discuss pressing matters for next year.

“It’s great to see everyone gather again and foster stronger connections with each other. I would like to congratulate everyone for the job well done and your continued dedication despite hectic schedules and heavy workload. There’s more work to be done next year and we need to prepare,” RSCIG Chief Artemio Salvador C. Colacion said.

DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran reminded the IOs about the importance of their job and their responsibility to inform the public accurately and consistently.

“You need to always be prepared because you are the mouthpiece of our organization. The people must know the programs and projects of DENR 6. We must be visible and felt, that we are always on the move to fulfill our mandate, enforce governing laws, and protect our environment,” RED Duran expressed.

As the voices of DENR Region 6, the Information Officers were also briefed with current trends in people-to-people engagements and ensuring the satisfaction of clients visiting DENR offices.

“Good morning! Mabuhay! Always greet with a smile and let’s try our best to help our clients have smooth transactions in our offices. We are not here just to inform, but also build positive connections to the people we serve,” Chief Colacion also expressed.

Aside from the said meetings, the IOs were exposed as well to the natural wonders and conservation efforts being done at SNP and VVMR, a reforestation project site of DENR 6 turned into a tourism destination by the Local Government Unit of Valderrama, Antique.

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Published: 30 November 2023

DENR 6 Regional Executive Director and Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Chairperson Livino B. Duran spearheaded the 66^th Meeting of the Sibalom Natural Park (SNP) – PAMB on November 23, 2023 at Sibalom, Antique.

SNP is one of the protected areas under the stewardship of DENR Western Visayas through Forester Louie L. Laud, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer of CENRO–Belison who also serves as the Park’s concurrent Protected Area Superintendent (PASu).

“We have a lot to discuss in terms of the protection of SNP. The PAMB must play a proactive role. Everything that happens inside the protected area, or in the future development projects that will be proposed nga makasulod sa area, we need to debate that here sa PAMB bag-o naton hatagan sang naga-kaigo nga permiso,” RED Duran expressed.

A total of 17 out of 24 PAMB members composed of Barangay Captains, local government officials, members of the academe, the private sector, and other stakeholders took part in the discussions ranging from the presentation of the Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) analysis for the 4^th quarter to the endorsement of the Updated SNP-Protected Area Management Plan for 2024-2033, and other pressing concerns.

SNP Deputy – PASu Joery D. Oczon meanwhile presented the accomplishments made at the Sibalom Natural Park in the year 2023. Some of the highlights include the different approved resolutions concerning the newly adopted logo of SNP, recovery of fallen trees due to the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng in 2022, the repair of several facilities within the park, and financial report.

Sibalom Natural Park came into being through Republic Act 11038 s. 2018 and spans a total of 6,778.44 hectares, serving as a sanctuary for endemic species of flora and fauna such as the Visayan Spotted Deer (Rusa alfredi), Visayan Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini), Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons), and Rafflesia speciosa.

The meeting also became an opportunity to welcome new members of the Board and to thank the SNP staff for their continued dedication towards preserving the protected area for future generations.

Also gracing the event was Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Andres T. Untal, one of the leading forces in pushing for the improvement of Sibalom Natural Park by establishing important linkages to different government officials and agencies.

“Bugal ini naton tanan. Panginbulahan gid sa inyo. Ang aton knowledge about sa protected area, i-share naton sa tanan paagi sa mga ga bisita diri sa SNP,” ARD Untal said.

The preservation of SNP and other protected areas is in line with DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga’s push to strengthen engagement with local communities to protect ecosystems and through the adoption of holistic policies concerning the management and conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity.

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Published: 30 November 2023

A kick-off program for the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children (EVAWC) was led by Forester June Melissa C. Garol, Gender and Development (GAD) Regional Chairperson of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 on November 13, 2023.

This year’s theme is “UNITEd for a VAW-free Philippines” and aims to highlight the powerful impact of concerted efforts towards the goal of ending violence against women in the country.

The campaign was conducted by virtue of Proclamation 1172, Series of 2006 that declares every November 25 to December 12 of every year as “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW)” and through the Republic Act No. 10398 which declares every November 25 as the “National Consciousness Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.”

Prior to the oathtaking of the new set of officers that comprises the DENR Region 6 Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System, Atty. Cheryll Rose Librero did a short lecture on various VAWC laws. “If there is one law I wanted all of us to really familiarize ourselves with, it would be the House Bill 8655 or the Expanded Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children,” Atty. Librero said. She is also the Regional GAD Vice Chair.

Atty. Librero also emphasized the need for employees to speak up against any form of violence or harassment committed in the workplace to the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) which vows to treat all information with utmost confidentiality.

House Bill 8655 seeks to amend RA 9262 and once passed as a law, it could penalize harassment and psychological violence through the use of information and communications technology (ICT) devices. This would now look into the harassment and bullying being committed with the use of social media platforms. 

“The government now is very keen on implementing these laws. To the men, be careful and do not commit any offense [against VAWC laws] especially now that we have the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI). The CODI really takes serious charge of the complaints or violation of the laws,” RED Duran said.

The DENR 6 new set of officers for the GAD Focal Point System made up the following Committees: 1. Planning and Research; 2. Finance; 3. Training; 4. Policy; 5. Project Development Committee; 6. Special Concerns; 7. IEC and Monitoring; and lastly, the Secretariat.

The activity was concluded with the DENR 6 Personnel actively participating in the One Billion Rising Dance.

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Published: 24 November 2023

As El Nino continues to gain traction on the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) predicts that temperatures can soar higher on the coming months.

Dry conditions can open possibilities of forest and grass fires occurring in localities that are experiencing dry spells and droughts. Thus, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6, together with the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) and other government agencies concerned are monitoring the situations especially in protected landscapes around the region.

Western Visayas is home to protected forests such as the Sibalom Natural Park in Antique, Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park straddling between the provinces of Antique and Aklan, Jalaur River Watershed Forest Reserve and Bulabog Putian National Park in Iloilo, Panay River Watershed Forest Reserve in Capiz and Northern Negros Natural Park in Negros Occidental, to name a few. These areas are vital sources of water that can become increasingly scarce should El Nino continues to intensify.

DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran reminds the public to be vigilant and avoid practices that might stoke fires within their communities. “Aside from wildfires occurring naturally due to extreme heat, human practices like kaingin, throwing away cigarette butts on dry vegetation, and irresponsible burning of wastes can ignite unintentional fires and cause damage to the environment. Let us be mindful of our seemingly simple actions,” RED Duran said.

Due care and attention must be given, and efforts must be strengthened to protect our landscapes and mitigate the risks brought about by the ongoing El Nino.

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Published: 10 November 2023