As part of the strategic plan of the Enforcement and Monitoring Section of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Bago City headed by CENR Officer For. Rosievel Dimatulac, initiated a series of scheduled and on-the-spot checkpoints in different areas under the jurisdiction of CENRO Bago City, Negros Occidental starting January 26, 2024. The team is led by the Chief, Surveillance and Intelligence Unit For. Emmanuel Magbanua, under the supervision of EMS Chief, For. Philip Lechoncito.

Conveyance drivers who carried forest products were made to present legal documents to support their travel. An apprehension is made if the individual fails to present legal documents to support the transport of forest products with the recommendation to conduct administrative proceedings as per DENR-Department Administrative Order No. 97-32. Conveyance and apprehended forest products are kept by the office for safekeeping through its storage facility while waiting for the resolution of the case to be forwarded to the Regional Office through PENRO Negros Occidental for proper disposition.

In line with this, in the late evening of February 20, 2024, a truckload full of Mahogany and Gmelina lumber were apprehended by the team at the municipality of Murcia due to a lack of necessary transport permit. A total of 169 pieces which scaled around 3,000 board feet and had an estimated market value of Php 100,000.00 was confiscated in coordination with the Murcia Police District.

Furthermore, continuous lectures and information drives were conducted by the Regulation and Permitting Section to different barangays within CENRO Bago’s jurisdiction to inform the community of the processes for securing permits for their forest products.

“I laud the efforts of our field offices in ensuring that relevant laws regarding the proper exploitation of our forest resources are implemented despite the limitations that we face. We at DENR 6 urge the public to abide by our laws and help protect and conserve our natural resources,” Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran expressed.

This activity aims to further implement enforcement duties and be more visible in the pursuit of better execution of environmental laws within its jurisdiction.

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Published: 29 February 2024

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Antique at  Brgy. Maybato Sur in San Jose de Buenavista conducted a tutorial with Bachelor of Science in Forestry students from the University of Antique (UA) Hamtic Campus about the Application of Geographical Information System and Arc GIS Platform Software Operation on February 19, 2024.

Development Management Officer (DMO) II John Temana and Geographic Information System (GIS) Operator Nesty Jay Pameroyan shared technological skills to enhance the students’ knowledge in map making and data analysis.

The tutorial is in preparation for the 14^th National Forestry Olympiad wherein students from various state Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will converge at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna from February 25 to March 1, 2024.

Aside from mentoring the students on the use of appropriate tools such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and other related software, Mr. Temana and Mr. Pameroyan also taught them skills on map making and data analysis on various inputs that they can use in the competition. The students also had a brief chat with OIC-PENR Officer Cynthia L. Blancia.

This technology transfer strengthens the collaboration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with its partner agencies/organizations. This will enable the students to prepare their skills not only for the said event but also for their future school and work endeavours.

“As a Forester myself, it is important to have the appropriate set of skills to effectively perform our duties and responsibilities for the job. With access to modern technologies, DENR 6 through PENRO Antique is happy to have been a part of this undertaking. We will strive harder to strengthen our partnerships with our partners,” Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said.

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Published: 27 February 2024

It is such a lovely sight witnessing the tiny flippers of the turtle hatchlings race to the sea!

Sea turtles and any other marine organism play a vital role in the ecological balance, and they also play an important role as the most charismatic marine animals on the planet. Thus, conservation and protection to these precious animals are very important to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 6.

In the morning of February 07, 2024, at the sandy shores of the CENRO Kabankalan- Sipalay Satellite Office in Barangay 1, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, number of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings was released by the CENRO Kabankalan personnel Raymond Lirazan, together with Mr. Edsel Toledo, Bantay Dagat Member.

Edsel Toledo, the Bantay Dagat Coordinator, documented the nest on December 17, 2023, when beachgoers observed an Olive Ridley turtle laying eggs.

A total of sixty-two (62) lively and healthy hatchlings successfully reached the ocean but there are sixteen (16) unhatched eggs.

Meanwhile, on February 14, the Municipal ENRO Valladolid personnel in the Province of Negros Occidental, rescued a female Green Sea Turtle which was trapped in a fish cage. It was then turned-over to CENRO Bago City and with the assistance of EMS II Rosendo Lopez Jr., the marine turtle was examined for any surface injuries and other signs of physical trauma.

After the examination of the Green Sea Turtle, Lopez found no visible trauma/ injury and an immediate release back to the ocean was recommended. It measured 75 cm in length and 80 cm wide, tagging was also made to track its future route.

“Turtle releases, whether hatchlings, juvenile, and aged, gives us hope that we still have a healthy shore for them to nest and lay eggs. It is always a sight to see!” DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said.

“A reminder to all, we have these precious marine creatures to take care of, alongside with the other terrestrial and marine animals, they play an important role to our ecological balance,” RED Duran added.

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Published: 26 February 2024

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in region 6 believes that taking part in environmentally friendly activities like tree planting will not only benefit the communities but to everyone.

Thus, the CENRO Barotac Nuevo, facilitated the conduct of Tree Planting activity at the 900 sq. meter area within the e-NGP site at Brgy. Gemumua Agahon, Passi City on February 13, 2024.

This activity was participated by 43 attendees from the uniformed men of the 62nd Special Action Company, 6th Action Battalion, PNP-SAF headed by Brett Allen P. Ande, Tactical Operation Group 6, Philippine Air Force together with the volunteers from the Organization of Internal Safety Responsible Against Crime (OISRAC) and Gemumua Agahon Integrated Social Forestry Beneficiaries Association (GAISFOBA) and the Brgy. Tanods of the said barangay.

 A total of 150 seedlings of Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) and Kubi (Artocarpus nitidus) were planted.

The objective of this activity is to raise awareness on the importance and benefits of trees and nature for the environment and society, reduce the negative effects of climate change and deforestation, enhance the air quality, and build community spirit, unity, and well-being.

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Published: 26 February 2024

The Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Offices of Guimbal, Iloilo and Cadiz City, Negros Occidental signed Letters of Agreement (LOA) with People’s Organizations (POs) on February 21, 2024 concerning the implementation of the Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP) in their areas of jurisdiction.

The said endeavours aim to strengthen the partnership between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and  POs in the execution of the ENGP, one of the major programs of the agency.

CENRO Guimbal signed a LOA with the Katilingban sang Pumuluyo nga naga-Atipan sa Watershed sang Maasin (KAPAWA-Maasin, Inc.) for the implementation of ENGP at the Municipality of Maasin, Iloilo. The signing ceremony was graced by Supervising Ecosystems Management Specialist (SVEMS) Jose Ronie Esposado, PO President Rubenie Castellanes, and Treasurer Romeo Capilitan.

The agreement encompasses the maintenance and protection of CY 2022 established plantations at Brgys. Bolo and Nagba and the CY 2024 new plantation at Brgy. Trangka in Maasin, Iloilo. This year’s plantation covers an area of 107 hectares, of which 68.0 ha are for Bamboo and 39.0 ha are for Coffee.

Meanwhile, seven (7) POs under the jurisdiction of CENRO Cadiz and Northern Negros National Park (NNNP) also signed a LOA with DENR through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Negros Occidental under the leadership of PENR Officer and NNNP Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya. The agreement was also done in close coordination with CENRO Cadiz, NNNP, and CENRO Cadiz and PENRO Negros Occidental ENGP.

The people’s organizations are the Celestino Villacin Farmers Association (CVFA), Barangay Celestino Villacin Vegetable Farmers Association (BCVVFA), Minapasuk Small Water Irrigation System Association (MSWISA), Marcello Farmers Association (MAFA), Calapnusan Small Water Irrigation System Association (CSWISA), Bagonbon Environmental Development Association (BEDA), and Bagonbon Small Farmers Association (BASFA).

Also present at the signing ceremony were CENR Officer Mamad T. Gandarosa Jr., TSD Chief Catherine Balasa, OPCEN Head/SVEMS Ma. Gina Gerangaya, Provincial ENGP Coordinator Cecil Cañada, CENRO Cadiz RPS Chief Perpetou John Odango, and Forest Extension Officers.

“Community engagement is vital to ensure the success of any undertaking and DENR 6 will always be willing to partner-up with different people’s organizations in the implementation of ENGP,” Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said.

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Published: 26 February 2024