The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 through its Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG) has recently conducted a learning event on the formulation of the Regional Integrated Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Action Plan for 2023 among its Information Officers (IOs).

Information Officers (IOs) from the regional, bureaus and field offices crafted their respective IEC Action Plan for Calendar Year 2023 in consonance with the priorities set forth by the present administration.

The IEC Action Plans and the corresponding approved Work and Financial Plan were crafted and anchored on the Green and Blue Economy agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and the environmental priority programs of Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga.

“You will be the mouthpiece of the DENR, that’s how important you are. You will be the one to help the public know and understand what the Department is doing for the good of the people,” said Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Andres T. Untal in his welcome message.

A total of thirty-three (33) participants which included twenty-three (23) IOs from the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental, and from the line bureaus – the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) – have attended the learning event. Each Information Officer made a presentation of their outputs that were critiqued by Forester Edna B. Locsin, Chief of the Planning and Management Division and Mr. Artemio Salvador C. Colacion, RSCIG Chief.

“Our two-day IEC action planning is a good avenue for us to look into the programs and projects of the Department that need to be translated into strategies and activities and expound to the general public,” said RSCIG Chief Artemio Salvador C. Colacion during his presentation of the rationale and objectives of the activity.

“What you have done for this two-day learning event would bring you more success or more failure in the future if you will not do it better. I would like to remind all of you that you are worthy and you fit this job,” said PMD Chief Edna B. Locsin.

“As Information Officers, it should be your expertise to impart to the public what we at the DENR are doing to deliver our mandates for the benefit of the people. I trust you have crafted a responsive IEC Action Plan – the kind that supports the continuing progress of achieving the green and blue economy agenda of the present administration. Also, your IEC Action Plan should be in line with Chapter 15 of the Philippine Development Plan (2023-2028) with focus on Accelerate Climate Action and Strengthen Disaster Resilience,” said RED Duran.

“Times have changed and we are now in a fast-paced work mode with the speedy innovation in technology. I understand it is sometimes taking a toll on all of you especially that being an IO is an additional workload. We commend all of you for being committed to the information work as well,” he added

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Published: 28 March 2023

In a move to gather inputs and further attune the Department’s FY 2024 budget proposal to the needs of its beneficiaries at the grassroots, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 conducted a series of consultation with members of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), local government units, the academe and other environmental partners.

 DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran led the conduct of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Consultation for the preparation of FY 2024 budget proposal. The consultation activity was organized by the Planning and Management Division (PMD) spearheaded by PMD Chief, Edna B. Locsin and the planning officers at the Provincial ENR Offices and Community ENR Offices of the DENR 6.

To cater all the needs and concerns of the CSOs, the activity were divided into three (3) clusters, to wit: Cluster 1 – PENROs Aklan, Antique and Capiz on February 27, 2023, held at Aklan Training Center, Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan; Cluster 2 – PENROs Guimaras and Iloilo on February 28, 2023 held at Smallville 21 Hotel, Iloilo City; and Cluster 3, PENRO Negros Occidental, on March 2, 2023 at Acacia Hotel, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The conduct of the activity is based on the issuance of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Memorandum Circular No. 145, dated January 12, 2023 as part of the budget proposal document of all government agencies.

Since 2018 the region has been working in partnership with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6 in the conduct of this activity. NEDA representative Roxanne C. Yap also said during the first league, that this consultation is a testament that DENR is a listening agency.

NEDA 6 also considered seven (7) aspects that the CSO should consider on the implementation and proposal of DENR Projects, Programs and Activities such as: Relevance, Strategy and Delivery Methodology, Beneficiaries/clients, Implementation Arrangement, Costing/budget Allocation, Feedback Mechanism, Monitoring and Evaluation.

During the open forum, different concerns and suggestions were raised by the CSOs which include issues and concerns on forestry and biodiversity, lands and mining, and the environment.

“The DENR assures that the recommendations and concerns of each CSO are noted and included in the crafting of the Department’s proposal for CY 2024 and those queries and concerns that need immediate action will be addressed. I have instructed the PENROs and CENROs and the bureaus - the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) – to attend to those concerns,” RED Duran said.

Together with RED Duran were Assistant Regional Directors of Technical Services, Raul L. Lorilla, Management Services, Andres T. Untal, and Special Concerns, Ivene D. Reyes, EMB and MGB representatives.

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Published: 16 March 2023

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 through its Forestland Management Project (FMP) under the Provincial ENR Office – Iloilo led the turn-over ceremony of the six (6) Agroforestry Support Facilities (ASF) with a total funding of more than Php 97-M on February 23, 2023, namely: the Quipot Reinforced Concrete Deck Girdle (RCDG) Bridge (Php 37-M), Atimonan Hanging Bridge (Php 5-M), Barasalon Hanging Bridge Unit 2 (Php 6-M), Aglobong Irrigation Pipeline System (Php 17-M), Barasalon Hanging Bridge Unit 1 (Php 11-M), and Quipot-Barasalon Pathway Phase 1 (Php 18-M).

ASF is one of the components of the Forestland Management Project which started its implementation in 2012 and the municipality of Janiuay got the lion’s share as fifteen (15) of the ASF are distributed among its upland barangays. The rest are in the municipalities of Calinog and Lambunao.

DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran hopes that the stakeholders and the project beneficiaries will continue to maintain what the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and ther Department has provided for them.

“The DENR hopes that you will take good care our projects because this will be the start also of the preparation of other projects. Meaning, we will not end here but this is the start of our development and this generations of younger officials will now continue what we have started. We do hope this will be taken care of, as well as the other investments we have in our upland areas,” RED Duran said.

 “Since the start of the FMP in year 2012, we have seen a lot on changes in this area, [Janiuay] with the help of our partners, especially the Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) and the Philippine Government,” said Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Raul L. Lorilla said as he gave a brief background of the FMPs completed ASF projects.

Municipality of Janiuay Vice Mayor Corel Hannah Locsin welcomed the partners and other stakeholders in the turn-over ceremony. Locsin expressed her gratitude to those who help them made their “dream” become a reality.

“The potential of our forestlands lies with the bridges and the roads that connect our upland folkse to the Poblacion. This, in turn, could connect tourists to the mountains, and that connect all of us. During our time, we have walked kilometers, we have walked it with our feet. Now we can ride motorcycles to get to our tourist destinations. The potential of our people in earning more livelihood from tourism will become a reality, it is not a dream anymore,” Vice Mayor Locsin said.

Furthermore, JICA Senior Representative Mr. Ide Sochiro emphasized the importance of the facilities in improving the access to the forest plantations. “These facilities are important in improving access to the newly established forest plantations and in achieving FMP’s objectives of increasing the country’s forest cover and improving forest conservation and socio-economic situation in upland areas. This project started in 2012 in partnership with the DENR, for the past 10 years we have achieved important milestones,” Sochiro said.

Meanwhile, the PO Presidents also gave their acceptance messages as they will now be responsible for the management and maintenance of the turned-over infrastructures, together with the LGU Janiuay.

The turn-over ceremony was conducted at Brgy. Quipot, Janiuay, Iloilo and was graced by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Representative Mr. Ide Soichiro and JICA Senior Program Office Mr. Kessy Reyes, DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran, ARD for Technical Services Raul L. Lorilla, ARD for Special Concerns Ivene D. Reyes, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr., 3rd District Representative Hon. Lorenz R. Defensor, Janiuay Municipal Vice Mayor Corel Hannah Locsin, Forest Management Bureau (FMB) OIC, Assistant Director For. Edna D. Nuestro, and FMP Project Manager For. Marlon Atienza.

Also in attendance were Forester Antonio Latoza, Jr., People’s Organization (POs) beneficiaries, FMP Focal Person, members of Janiuay SB Council, and DENR 6 personnel from the regional office and the FMP team.

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Published: 02 March 2023

During the Regional Ecotourism Committee (REC) meeting on February 9, 2023, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 Regional Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez turned over the chairpersonship of REC for the next three years from 2023 until 2026 to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran, henceforth, all project, activities and dialogues will be under the directive of the DENR. This was held at the DENR 6 Activity Center witnessed by the members of REC and other partner government agencies.  

“Accepting this chairpersonship of the REC, we wanted to showcase the ecotourism sites here in Region 6. Our tourism sites which possess both beauty and balance could help, not just the tourism industry, but also the livelihood of the communities and the region’s environment and natural resources,” RED Duran said.

“Together with you – the DOT, NEDA, DA, NCIP and other government agencies we will make this ecotourism loop a success,” he added.

REC aims at strengthening the Western Visayas Ecotourism Loop which would also include the Seven Cities, Alimodian Ecotourism Site, Bucari Pine Forest and Campsite, and Sibalom Natural Park, among others.

The National Ecotourism Development Council (NEDC) and REC established a formal organizational structure for the development of ecotourism in the Philippines by virtue of Executive Order 111 issued on June 17, 1999.  They were created to effectively implement the programs and activities approved by the Council. 

By virtue of the same law, the REC chairmanship shall have a term of three (3) years and the agency that chairs the Committee also assumes and provides the needed resources from its own regular budget and to make the committee functions as required.

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Published: 20 February 2023

On February 8, 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Provincial ENR Office (DENR-PENRO) Guimaras celebrated the 33^rd Anniversary of Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR), underpinning its declaration as a Protected Area (PA) back in 1990, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 525.

The event intended to commemorate TINMR’s humble beginnings and strengthen the commitment of various stakeholders. It was graced and participated by DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran, the Executive Assistant for the Office of the Governor Gerardo Gaitan, Nueva Valencia Municipal Mayor Paul Vincent Dela Cruz, Vice Mayor Ma. Luz Gambalan, Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Members, employees of the Local Government Unit of Nueva Valencia, People’s Organizations, staff from DENR Region VI and the local community.

PENRO Guimaras headed by PENR Officer Edgardo Rostata led the various activities during TINMR’s 33^rd Anniversary, which include holy mass, community building activities, awarding of Plaques of Recognition to PAMB members, search for Mutya and Mr. Siokoy ng TINMR 2023 and, Komposo competition.

Another highlight of the anniversary celebration is the awarding of livelihood support to Barangay La Paz received by Punong Barangay Veronica Ortiz, and Barangay San Roque received by Punong Barangay Nora Gamuyao, both located in the municipality of Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

In his message during the event, DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran encouraged the PAMB members and local officials to think ahead should TINMR’s tourism potentials get boosted. Facilities and amenities, including the access to safe water in the island should be of prime consideration, RED Duran said.

Coined as the “Jewel of Guimaras”, the establishment of TINMR as a protected area has been a tool for the protection and conservation of coastal and terrestrial ecosystems, while also providing livelihood opportunities for locals who are economically-reliant on these resources./DENR 6

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Published: 15 February 2023