A 10.5 foot Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) was captured in Bacolod City in the province of Negros Occidental.

In the early morning of November 7, 2022, a team from the Bureau of Fire Protection–Special Rescue Force (BFP-SRF) in Negros Occidental got a call from a certain Andrew dela Torre who reported that a python (locally called “Magkal”) is seen hiding on top of a Mango tree and had killed one of their chickens.

The Office of the BFP-SRF headed by Inspector Jun Michael A Manuel  together with Bacolod PNP Station 3 then went to the area and captured the snake using improvised equipments. It was seen on the top of a Mango tree at dela Torre's residence at Purok Santol, Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The team packed the snake inside a sack then turned it over to DENR PENRO Negros Occidental for proper identification, check up and release at around nine o’clock of the same day.

The Reticulated python was released into a forested area in Don Salvador Benedicto, which is part of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) on November 8 after ensuring that it is in good condition. Personnel of the NNNP led the team that released the said wildlife into its natural habitat.

“We commend the responsive move of the BFP-SRF Negros Occidental and the active assistance of our PENRO Negros Occidental as well. Wildlife has their proper place in our ecosystem, and we need to understand that they should be protected as well. They are not enemies rather, they help keep our ecosystems balanced,” said regional executive director Livino B. Duran of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2019-09 otherwise known as “Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna” classified the Reticulated python as Other Threatened Species (OTS). Reticulated python is under threat from adverse factors such as over collection throughout its range and destruction of their habitats.

Reticulated pythons are usually large and are quite aggressive feeders. Although their temperament can be calm, they can cause danger to their owners. Nonetheless, they play a good role as a natural pest control.

One of DENR’s priority programs, enhanced biodiversity conservation focuses not only on preserving natural habitats like watersheds, wildlife sanctuaries and mangrove habitats but also preserving the diversity of species.

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Published: 16 November 2022

Have you seen a bird fly, swoop down in water to catch a fish but instead of flying out of water, it falls on it?

This is exactly what happened to a juvenile White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), as related by the five fishermen who rescued the bird in Brgy. Gargato, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

The said fishermen saw the sea eagle catching its prey until it got tired and eventually fell into the water. Upon seeing it, the fishermen hurried to rescue the bird. This incident was reported by Hinigaran Environment and Natural Resources Officer (ENRO) Aniceto Muñoz to CENRO Kabankalan City thru Supervising Ecosystems Management Specialist (SVEMS) Lucia Salazar.

SVEMS Salazar immediately called Forest Ranger Vladimer Piansay to proceed to the area. He was assisted by ENRO Muñoz and Brgy. Captain Eric John Lutario. The sea eagle was turned-over to Mr. Fernando Dino Gutierrez of the Feather Park Corporation, Kabankalan City for proper treatment and recovery. This was the first time CENRO Kabankalan City received a call for assistance over a rescued White-bellied sea eagle.

The said White-bellied sea eagle has an estimated measurement of 70-85 cm in length with a wingspan of at least two meters and weight of 4.2 kg. Their conservation status is Least Concern (LC) though human disturbance of their habitat such as human activities near their nests or the removal of suitable trees for their nesting threatens their population. They are diurnal (active during the day) bird of prey that loves to breed and hunt near bodies of water. Half of its diet is fish and when it hunts for food, it uses its long black talons (claws). Juveniles have brown plumage on its breast that is replaced with pure white feathers as it matures.

“Thank you to the Hinigaran fishermen who readily rescued the eagle, and to our partner LGU Hinigaran for the assistance and our technical team for the prompt action. Let the bird fly free!” said CENR Officer Fred Canto of DENR CENRO Kabankalan City.

“Biodiversity conservation is of utmost importance if we are to sustain our different ecosystems that provide us with everything we need. Our working together to achieve sustainability of our natural resources would ensure food security for all our people,” said DENR 6 regional executive director Livino B. Duran.

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Published: 16 November 2022

The Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Culasi in the province of Antique had successfully inaugurated its fifth Small Water Impounding System (SWIS) Project located at So. Orag, Brgy. Pitac, Tibiao, Antique on October 25, 2022.

With three hours of trek, CENRO Rhodel B. Lababit, together with Forest Technician (FT) II Edcil Dajay, CENRO NGP Coordinator; For. Sunny Boy Sargento, In-charge of Production Forest Development Unit, and other personnel of DENR CENRO Culasi, Antique graced the inauguration.

This project is in collaboration with So. Orag Community Workers Association (SOCWA), headed by Perla Z, Alejo, the PO President.  The organization is also one of the beneficiaries of the Enhanced National Greening Program (E-NGP) from 2018 up to 2021. The SWIS was strategically constructed in between the forest plantations established in order to ensure that there is available water to be tapped especially during the dry season. It also benefitting the nearly communities.

With so much gratitude, Alejo expresses her heartfelt thanks to DENR, that even the far-flung upland communities like them, have benefited to the services of the Department. The needs of the communities were given emphasis.

SWIS is a water storage structure consisting of an earth embankment spillway, outlet works and canal facilities, designed for soil and water conservation. It is a 64 cu.m. structure for the purpose to address the water supply needs to sustain the growth of 498 hectares NGP plantations in 2017 to 2019 and benefitting 30 households of So. Orag.

“Our People’s Organizations (PO) are significantly contributing why we have lush green mountains. As a way of reminding them that the DENR is here we offer them these SWIS projects that can benefit the community aside from our NGP forest plantations,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran. 

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Published: 02 November 2022

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 has recently inaugurated the third newly established Small Water Impounding System (SWIS) in Negros Occidental on October 20, 2022.

Located at  So. Cayamuni, Brgy. Camindangan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental the activity was attended by DENR 6 Assistant Regional Director for Special Concerns Ivene "Bong" Reyes, and CENRO Wilfredo Canto of CENRO Kabankalan City. This project will benefit the communities of Brgy. Camindangan and members of Camindangan Planters and Farm Workers Association (CAPFWA), a People’s Organization (PO) involved in the successful implementation of the Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP).

As a closing message, PO Chairman/Brgy. Kagawad Richard Vallota said that Brgy. Camindangan was very privilege and grateful to be chosen as one of the recipients of SWIS project in Negros Occidental.

SWIS is a water storage consisting of an earth embankment spillway outlet, where the water is being sourced out from the nearest spring or any body of water where can be tapped, so as to be used for the watering of the existing established plantations under ENGP and for domestic needs of the recipient communities.

“We, at the DENR are happy to serve the public especially in our upland communities. Seeing them happy is an imperative for us to continue working towards the greening and cleaning of this community,” said Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran of DENR Region 6.

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Published: 02 November 2022

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in the province of Guimaras awarded two (2) Original Certificate of Titles to the municipal government of Buenavista, namely: Special Patent with Lot No. 1999-C and Lot No. 1999-E which covers a total area of 35,997 square meters for the Sanitary Landfill situated at Sitio Kalalan,  Barangay Piña, Buenavista, Guimaras on October 24, 2022. This is in consonance with the land management program.

The partnership with DENR, Local Government Unit of Buenavista, and Registry of Deeds, fast-tracked the issuance process and strengthened the agency’s linkages with the constituents pursuant to Republic Act 10023, otherwise known as Residential Free Patent Act.

The special patents were awarded over the sanitary landfill to ensure the protection of public health and the environment, as well as to address the solid waste disposal – ensuring the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of the best environmental practices in ecological waste in consonance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003).

Present on the said event were PENR Officer Edgardo M. Rostata, CESE; TSD Chief Julieta T. Gababyeron; Municipal Mayor Hon. Samuel T. Gumarin, M.D., MPH; Vice-Mayor Cyril C. Beltran; SB Member Valentin Talabero (former PENR Officer); SB Member Rommel John Edang and LMO1 Leoda Gabutin.

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Published: 26 October 2022