The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 conducted a consultative meeting cum dialogue with the local fisherfolks and beach resort/lot owners in Brgy. Sinogbuhan, San Joaquin recently to address docking issues.

The private beach resort/lot owners told the CENRO team they wanted to establish protection of their lot and to stop further degradation due to soil erosion. Meanwhile, the local fisherfolks are seeking the resort owners’ support by allowing them to dock in portions within their property.

CENRO Guimbal team led by CENR Officer Vicente T. Mellizas suggested they will conduct site inspection and verification to determine the extent of the claimed lot. It will also help them ascertain the area intended for the docking of fishing boats. The suggestion was quite amenable to all parties involved.

A total of sixty-four participants (with 45 males and 19 females) attended the dialogue with the presence of CENR Officer Vicente Mellizas and officials from the barangay and municipal local government units.

“It is part of our duty and responsibility to reach out to the LGUs, assist them in their environmental concerns and guide them to a better decision-making. When we do it in the name of public service and for the good of our environment, we can say that we have delivered what we are here for,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

The municipality of San Joaquin is a recipient of the DENR’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) which aims to effectively reduce the drivers and threats of degradation of the coastal and marine ecosystems. Thus, it can help increase the ability of coastal and marine ecosystems in providing ecological goods and services to the communities where they may be found. The program is also designed to improve the quality of life of people in the coastal areas, ensure food security, and climate change resiliency.

One of CMEMP’s components is the provision of technical assistance. It is the capacity building training received by the DENR personnel who then cascades the technical assistance to the LGUs, other stakeholders, and partners in the field.

“We should protect our coastal and marine resources especially those that have important historical landmarks because we are not only protecting these resources but we also preserve these for the future generations to appreciate, enjoy and be proud of,” said CENRO Vicente T. Mellizas said during the site visit.

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 12 September 2022

Aklan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Merlene B. Aborka (right) gave her message during the Protectected Area Management Board meeting which tackled issues and concerns affecting the Aklan River Watershed Forest Reserve (ARWFR) on August 26, 2022. Conservation and Development Division (CDD) Chief Danilo L. Lorilla  from the DENR 6 regional office also attended the meeting and gave his insights on topics discussed. During the meeting, the formation of the Executive and Technical Working Committees of PAMB en banc for ARWFR was approved. The proposed rates and fees for entrance and use of facilities and resources inside ARWFR was also adopted.

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 12 September 2022

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Guimaras together with personnel from Nueva Valencia Municipal and Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) rescued a Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) at Sta. Ana Bay, Brgy. Poblacion, Nueva Valencia on August 25, 2022.

A female Green sea turtle with carapace curve length (CCL) of 115 cm. and carapace curve width (CCW) of 64 cm. was observed to be in good condition, and also released on the same day. This Green sea turtle is the biggest marine turtle documented in the Province of Guimaras since 2008, breaking the previous record of 103 cm. CCL and 93 cm. CCW found at Brgy. Dolores, Nueva Valencia eleven years ago, in August 3, 2011.

“PENRO Guimaras have been actively working with the LGUs and other stakeholders by encouraging them to report to the authorities and perform first aid for animals found in similar situations. Many stakeholders have gone through trainings on proper reporting and documentation. As September approaches,  we will be joining the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) celebration, various activities have been lined up including the province-wide clean up drives, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns in locally and nationally-proclaimed areas where these animals commonly thrive or establish abode,” PENR Officer Edgardo M. Rostata said.

“Beating the record of biggest marine turtle found in the waters of Guimaras last 2011, this female Green Sea Turtle is a visible proof that the marine ecosystems in Guimaras are thriving well,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

“Let us always bear in mind that our actions that may affect our land resources and marine ecosystems, they are our precious natural resources,” Duran pointed out.

Furthermore, PENRO Guimaras has rescued and released a total of 17 marine turtles since January 2022. Green sea turtles are categorized as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and DAO 2019-09 due to existence of various threats, including hunting and illegal wildlife trade.

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 09 September 2022

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources –Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) Negros Occidental were delighted to finally turn-over the newly constructed Small Water Impounding Structure (SWIS) to the three Community ENR Offices jurisdiction, namely: Bago City, Cadiz City and Kabankalan City.

During the ribbon cutting of CENRO Bago City SWIS in Barangay Canlusong, EB Magalona, together with the United Canlusong for Upland Reforestation and Development (UCURD) last August 5, 2022, OIC-PENR Officer Joan Nathaniel F. Gerangaya underscorred the importance of taking good care of all the resources especially the water impounding facility which will continuously provide potable water supply to the community.

 Meanwhile, CENRO Kabankalan and the People’s Organization of Camindangan Planters and Farm Workers Association (CAPFWA) were also happy with the completion of the SWIS project on August 31, 2022.

“Local folks are beside themselves with joy upon seeing water gushing out of the SWIS, while kids are more than happy they no longer need to walk two kilometers just to fetch water,” Richard Vallota, CAPFWA Chairman said in vernacular.

In CENRO Cadiz City the SWIS project is located at Sitio Pacol, Brgy. Celestino Villacin, Cadiz City with Brgy. Celestino Villacin Vegetables Farmers Association as PO partner.

The 50 cubic meter SWIS’ primary purpose is to address the water supply needs of the nearby communities and to be used for the effective management, maintenance and protection of the Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP) in the area.

SWIS is a water harvesting and storage structure consisting of an earth embankment spillway, outlet works and canal facilities. It is designed for soil and water conservation and flood control by holding as much water as possible during the rainy season.

Indeed, dreams do come true! For those communities in Kabankalan, Cadiz and Bago, their new water supply is a source of inspiration to really take good care of their natural resources.

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 09 September 2022

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in the province of Aklan have recently engaged the Indigenous People (IP) youths in Boracay Island and the young Kalibonhons in Environmental Summits with activities like tree planting, clean ups and learning events for them to better understand the importance of environmental protection and conservation.

Two batches of Environmental Summit were facilitated by PENRO Aklan with Batch 1 dubbed as “Youth and Indigenous People’s Summit for Better Boracay: Action Towards Innovation (ATI) for Environmental Sustainability of Boracay Island.” Thirty six (36) youth members of the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (BATO) attended the event and actively participated in various activities, namely: Upcycling Contest using plastic wastes and the Eco-Draw contest that highlights the importance of various ecosystems. In each activity, the assigned leaders of the group make a presentation of their outputs. Winners were awarded with certificates and tokens and other non-winning groups received consolation prizes.

The IP youths along with personnel from Department of Environment and Natural Resources PENRO Aklan (DENR-PENRO), Lawin Patrollers of Community ENR Office in Boracay Island and some members from the Ati community also joined the beach clean-up near the Ati Village in Brgy. Manocmanoc, which was part of the Summit activities. The IP youths understanding on the need to sustain the gains of Boracay Island rehabilitation was reinforced with the things they have learned from the Summit.

Meanwhile, Batch 2 of the youth summit was dubbed as “Youth of Aklan for a Better Environment Today and Tomorrow” was conducted at the Ati-atihan County Inn in the capital town of Kalibo, Aklan.

A total of forty-eight (48) Aklanon youths attended Batch 2 of the summit with invites from the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Ambassadors, Youth Artists, Future Leaders of the Philippines Officers ASU – Banga, Regional Science High School for Region VI (RSHSVI) YES-O Officers, Sanggunian ng Kabataan (SK) Chairpersons and Members from different municipalities including Balete, Banga, Batan and New Washington.

The one-day activity included lectures on the following: Challenges of various ecosystems in Aklan; Understanding Geohazard’s Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Maps; Youth Empowerment for Better Aklan; Digital Literacy 101: An Introduction to Graphic Design as Tool for an Effective Communication Link Toward Environmental Education with logo making contest; Bamboo and Clonal Propagation for Forest Rehabilitation with video making on the procedures by the participants; Knowledge and Practices of Akeanon Bukidnon Tribe in Harmony and Nature; and, the signing of Pledge of Commitment.

“Engaging the youths and the Indigenous People community in our environmental activities and thrusts achieves a win-win situation. The Indigenous People are keepers of traditional practices that work in harmony with nature while the modern youths can be our information multipliers, even influencers, to expand our reach. Both groups of young people can work to further promote understanding and appreciation for environmental protection and conservation,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

The youth is considered as the hope of our future as they possess the power to easily adapt to the changes from generation to generation. The DENR is tapping on their youthful vigor to hone their adaptive skills and abilities towards crafting environmental campaigns to achieve behavioral changes towards environmental protection and conservation.

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 08 September 2022