One of the initiatives the Antique Government in Western Visayas region in protecting our wild animals’ species such as hornbills is to promote its conservation thus, passed Provincial Ordinance 2020-208, declaring the month of August of every year as “Dulungan Month”. The objective is to increase awareness on the biological, ecological and cultural importance of Rufuos-headed Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni) locally known as Dulungan.

Found in the long stretch of Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (NPPNP) and Central Panay Mountain Range (CPMR) the Dulungan considered as the “farmer of the forest” by helping reforestation through its seed dispersal as they feed on fruit trees. It is an endemic species of hornbill in the Philippines specifically in Panay and Negros islands where despite the conservation effort of the government and private organizations, this beautiful creature is now considered as Critically Endangered (CR) by International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.

Despite being one of the elusive bird species, Dulungan are in danger because of the forest destruction, illegal cutting of trees, and loss of their natural habitat a reason for them to be now visible to the poachers to sell or worst, kill them.

Recognizing the cultural significance of this elusive bird and being the flagship bird of the Antique Provincial Government, the Dulungan become a highlight of the local Madja-as Festival to establish the importance of their existence and preserving the natural habitat of Dulungan and the other fauna and flora found in the province.

This year’s Dulungan Month theme, “Pispis nga Dulungan, Mangunguma kang Kagubatan, Aton Amligan,” focuses on the intensifying awareness of preserving and conserving our natural resources with the use of the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign.

The DENR on the other hand, is responsible for the protection of wildlife from poachers and illegal activities inside the forestland by heightening the forest protection and foot patrolling conducted in the NPPNP and CPMR.

“This conservation effort made by the province of Antique is indeed laudable. This precious Dulungan and any other flora and fauna found are a sight to see and preserve. They may not be as many as before but with the help of the LGU, communities, stakeholders, and even tourists their number may gradually increase in time,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

“Rest assured that the DENR will support this endeavor in conserving and protecting our environment and natural resources. Furthermore, illegal poaching, illegal structures, and illegal entry within our Protected Area (PA) are a violation and punishable under the Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,” he added.

Under the RA 9147, the penalty depends not only to the poaching activities but also to the conservation status of the wildlife –Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened or Least Concern.

Aside from the Dulungan, there are other endemic species found in the Panay and Negros Island including the Philippine Spotted Deer (Rusa alfredi), Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons), Negros Bleeding-Heart Pigeon (Gallicolumba keayi). /DENR 6

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 16 August 2023

On July 4, a collaborative effort between the Local Government Unit of E.B. Magalona, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Bago City, Philippine Coast Guard, and the local Disaster Risk Management Council together with a veterinarian, Froilan Juntilla, DVM, as they gathered to witness the heartwarming moment when "Ecot" was joyfully released back into the vast ocean, where it truly belongs.

Last June 7, a juvenile Hawksbill Turtle named "cot" was accidentally captured by fishermen at Brgy. Manta-angan, E.B.Magalona, Negros Occidental and found out that the said marine creature had ingested a fishing hook.

Under the leadership of Municipal ENRO Jojo Garcia Vargas, a dedicated team came into action, recognizing the urgency of the situation. They consulted with Dr. Juntilla, to conduct necessary procedure.

The Hawksbill Turtle is one of the five species of sea turtles found in the Philippines. Regrettably, they are classified as Critically Endangered, with only an estimated 20,000-23,000 nesting females in count. Ecot's rescue and release serve as a significant reminder of the urgent need for heightened conservation efforts to protect these majestic creatures and their fragile ecosystems.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 24 July 2023

An injured Eastern grass owl (Tyto longimembris) was recently turned over by a concerned citizen in Manapla, Negros Occidental.

The bird was found by a concerned citizen in the sugarcane plantation at Hacienda Rosita, Brgy. 1, Manapla. It was Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) Chief Victor Lapidez of LGU Manapla who turned over the Eastern grass owl to CENRO Cadiz City on May 9, 2023 and was received by Rezel S. Purisima, CENRO Cadiz City’s wildlife unit chief.

Upon initial physical assessment of CENRO Cadiz City personnel, the bird was found to have sustained an injury on its left wing. Then, CENRO Cadiz City personnel brought the owl for treatment and observation at Cadiz City Veterinary Office. Dr. Josue Rabang, the city vet did the treatment and observation.

As of presstime, the grass owl is now under the custody of CENRO Cadiz City for proper care and rehabilitation before its release back into the wild.

Eastern grass owls are usually found in tall grasses so a sugarcane plantation is a good hideaway. They are also seen in swampy areas, grassy plains and even on sedges on flood plains. They would prey on small mammals, particularly rodents.

“Owls, like all other birds, are very much a part of our diverse ecosystems and play vital role in the check and balance of the natural environment. Whenever we see them, let us be careful not to harm or kill them,” said Livino B. Duran, regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 6.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 23 May 2023

The National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) every March is part of the worldwide observance to honor and give importance to the women in our society. Here in the Philippines, the NWMC is celebrated by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 227 series of 1988. Thus, the whole month of March is dedicated to the achievements and hard work of the Filipino women. This month is also the time to raise awareness about domestic violence, sexism and other violence which affects the physical and mental health of women.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 has celebrated Women’s Month since the 90’s, usually with activities that highlights the achievement of women in the environment. This year the DENR 6 and its field offices had undergone series of activities in support to NWMC.

Kicking it off on March 1, the DENR 6 and its field offices had a simultaneous hanging of streamer, unveiling of their Gender And Development (GAD) Activities wall and One Billion Rising Dance.

GAD quiz, GAD talk show, Gender Sensitivity Training, GAD presentation contest and GAD culminating program are the activities handled by the Regional Office conducted in March.

“This is the venue for us women to prove ourselves that we are the partners of men on whatever development we have for this country and for the Department,” said Forester Edna B. Locsin, Gender and Development (GAD) Program Regional Focal Person and Chief, Planning and Management Division (PMD).

The Provincial ENR Offices (PENROs) and Community ENR Offices (CENROs) also conducted their selected NWMC activities for the month, to wit:

PENRO Aklan initiated activities during the celebration of International Day of Women on March 08, 2023 such as, pampering spree for women employees (foot spa and hair cut), distribution of seedlings, Handog Titulo, and giving of soup and collaterals with printed NWMC theme. 

PENRO Antique conducted a Multimedia Literacy Training via Zoom platform to equip the personnel and staff with the basic Powerpoint and Map Layouts skills. 

PENRO Capiz conducted the bagging/potting session at DENR Provincial Nursery every Friday of the month. 

PENRO Guimaras pampered its employees with TESDA manicurists and masseuses, and offer health services under the activity dubbed as Serbisyo para kay Juana. 

PENRO Iloilo through its CENRO Guimbal opens “Tindahan ni Juana,” where CENRO Guimbal personnel and the community display and sell their farm and local products. This is a way of showing gratitude to the women who exerted effort to raise their families with their livelihood. 

PENRO Negros Occidental conducted bagging activity wherein 2,500 seed bags were prepared by the PENRO and the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) employees and on-the-job trainees. 

            “All those activities we have conducted benefit not just the women, but all members in the community. Our women are considered as primary caregivers of the children and elderly in our community, thus they play an important role in helping shape us and mold us to the kind of person we are right now,” Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said.

            “This month of March is dedicated to their hard work and importance. This is also to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and children and chaning the mindset through the gender equality advocacy,” he added.

            In this modern world, women are seen to engage in works and activities that in previous decades only men are allowed. A modern woman is someone who accepts challenges, manage a community or even a country and stand up in front of a man rather than following them. /DENR 6

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 26 April 2023

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Sara has recorded the first encounter of Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) spotted laying its eggs along the shoreline of Bantigue Islet, Brgy. Gabi, Gigantes Island, Carles, Iloilo on March 5, 2023.

CENRO Sara constantly monitoring and coordinating with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Carles thru the office of Municipal ENRO to keep track the progress and refrain tourists from visiting the nesting site. Expected hatching will be late April to mid-May, this year or within 45-75 days after laying.

Furthermore, a tagging and release of trapped Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) was done at the coastal area of Brgy. Cabasi, Guimbal, Iloilo on April 17, 2023. The activity was conducted by CENRO Guimbal personnel spearheaded by CENR Officer Vivente T. Mellizas, Jr.

It was tagged with PH 1768M and has a length of 43cm, width of 36cm and weighs 25 kgs. It was seen trapped in the fishing gear by Mrs. Lalaine Gelvoleo, resident of Brgy. Cabasi last April 16, 2023 and informed the CENRO Guimbal for rescue and release.

The Hawksbill turtle are tagged as Critically Endangered, while the Green sea turtle are tagged as Endangered by the international Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The DENR in Region 6 is always reminding the public the importance of balanced biodiversity and constantly encouraging reporting similar cases to the authority for proper action and to fully ensure proper protection of their population.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 26 April 2023