The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) continues to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the passage of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018 through an online conference for the legislated protected areas called P.A. Talk, organized by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) in partnership with the Office of Deputy House Speaker and Antique Representative Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda.
The online conference called P.A. Talk through Zoom video conference platform adopted the theme: “Protected Areas for a Protected Future” and is aired live via the official Facebook Page of Congresswoman Loren Legarda.
This coming July 28, 2020, our very own Sibalom Natural Park (SNP) will be featured for PA Talk’s second episode and here are some interesting things to know about SNP:
- SNP is a green, lustrous forest with blue rogue rivers that is home to different endemic and endangered species. It is previously called Tipulu-an Mau-it Watershed Forest Reserve.
- It has a coverage area of 6,778.44 hectares as per R.A. 11038, located at the municipality of Sibalom, Antique. It covers seventeen (17) barangays namely Cabladan, Cabanbanan, Imparayan, Igpanulong, Indag-an, Bugnay, Villafont, Luna, Bontol, Tordesillas, Tula-tula, Calooy, Bulalacao, Lambayagan, Luyang, Igparas and Grasparil.
- The natural park is managed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) wherein the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Director in Region 6 sits as the PAMB chairperson.
- It is a low elevation dipterocarp forest and a habitat to different endemic birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. A haven of rich flora and fauna endemic to Panay Islands and the Philippines.
- The waterfalls, streams and springs that flow to its rivers supports the irrigation, domestic and industrial water needs of the municipalities and nearby towns. The rivers are also sources of semi-precious gemstones found on its riverbeds.
The DENR Region 6 invites the public to join PA Talk by watching the live video of the online conference from Congresswoman Loren Legarda’s official Facebook Page this July 28, 2020 at 10:00am. The PA Talk 2nd episode will discuss the best practices in engaging local communities in the management of biodiversity and sustaining ecosystem services. This interesting and pleasurable biodiversity discussion could enrich our awareness on the environment to protect and conserve it.
“Sibalom Natural Park has rich ecosystems that serve as biodiversity corridor to species in the Panay Mountains. The PA talk shall further discuss the bountiful biodiversity our country’s protected areas. We are the steward of the environment and in our hands lay the protection and conservation of our natural resources for a sustainable future. Let’s watch the upcoming episodes as we highlight the human dimensions with their diverse roles, culture and practices in the management of the PAs.” said regional executive director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.
P.A. Talk aired its maiden episode last month on June 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. and is scheduled for 18 months. It features the 107 legislated protected areas and their provided ecosystem services. It is hosted by Deputy House Speaker Loren Legarda, featuring six PAs in each episode with the respective Regional Executive Directors (REDs), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENROs), Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENROs) and Protected Areas Superintendents (PASus) as resource persons.
This is being pushed as DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu is keen on pursuing the Enhanced Biodiversity Conservation, Intensified Forest Protection as among his ten priority programs that will benefit the next generations of the Filipino people./DENR6
Approved for release:
FRANCISCO E. MILLA, JR., CESO III
Regional Executive Director
