Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) MIMAROPA takes pride in the remarkable contributions of its leaders in Palawan who were recognized by the Normandy Chair for Peace and the Good Stories Movement for protecting the environment and natural resources.

DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio congratulated the awardees of the Normandy Honor for Peace with the Earth Award: DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Office-Palawan for promoting eco-governance. The award was received by PENR Officer Felizardo Cayatoc. Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Elizabeth Maclang (2nd from right) for protecting the unique biodiversity of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and PASu Angelique Songco (2nd from left) for safeguarding the marine environment of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

The honorees received the award in a program hosted by Palawan 3rd District Representative Edward Hagedorn on April 24 in Puerto Princesa City.

“This award is another reminder that the efforts of our colleagues in upholding environment protection do not go unnoticed, and are even recognized globally. The DENR MIMAROPA family had witnessed their commitment, dedication and sacrifice. We celebrate their success and we are proud of them,” Claudio said.

The Director also expressed its gratitude to the Normandy Chair for Peace and the Good Stories Movement for paying tribute to individuals and organizations who make significant contributions in promoting sustainability. Also recognized were Dr. Gerry Ortega (posthumous award) and Brooke’s Point Vice Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano.
Claudio said the awards are timely as these coincide with the celebration of Earth Month and Earth Day on April 22 with the theme ”Invest in Our Planet.”

“This (award) boosts positive partnership and collaboration for the earth. It also serves as an inspiration for other colleagues to fulfill the divine mission to take care of God’s creations,” Claudio said.

The Normandy Chair for Peace and Good Stories Movement is a global initiative that shares inspiring stories of individuals who work to protect the environment, promote sustainability, and carry out environmentally friendly policies. ###

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Published: 28 April 2023

CATANAUAN, QUEZON – During his visit on January 13, 2023, DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr., together with the DENR-CENRO Catanauan personnel, witnessed the newly hatched turtles within the identified nesting site located in Brgy. Cutcutan, Catanauan, Quezon. 

The marine turtle nest was regularly monitored by the Technical Staff of CENRO Catanauan until it was reported by one of the resort’s owner, Kaye De Guzman, that the hatchling began to emerge on January 13, 2023. Usec Adobo, OIC-CENRO Gutierrez and some CENRO personnel immediately proceeded to the area to witness the release of sea turtles.

The said hatchlings were identified as Olive Ridley Sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) based on the number of its carapace scutes with 6-7 pairs in irregular pattern. A total of one hundred twenty-one (121) eggs were seen in the nesting site wherein four (4) were unhatched, two (2) were dead, and one hundred fifteen (115) hatchlings were successfully hatched and released at the beach area in Sitio Paraiso, Brgy. Cutcutan, Catanauan, Quezon. 

The Olive Ridley sea turtle is also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle and belongs to the family Cheloniidae. It is the second-smallest and most abundant sea turtle in the world commonly found in warm and tropical waters, particularly in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. 

The release of sea turtles was in support of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 which aims to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitat to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity. ###

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Published: 22 January 2023

A total of 683 newly hatched Olive Ridley marine turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) were released in the shores of Sariaya, Quezon after emerging from its protected nesting sites in the barangays of Bignay II, Castañas and Guisguis-Talon early in January 2023.

The hatching of wildlife was reported to the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Tayabas City through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) of Sariaya and the barangay local government units. Being the DENR field office with the jurisdiction over the established marine turtle nesting sites in the municipality, the CENRO is consistently coordinating with the OMA, Bantay Dagat, and barangay and municipal offices in the monitoring of the said area. 

CENRO Tayabas continuously reminds the public that based on the Department Administrative Order No. 2019-09, Olive Ridley is listed and designated as "Endangered" and must be protected under the Republic Act No. 9147 also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. Hunting, collecting, possessing, and poaching of its kind is punishable under this law.###

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Published: 22 January 2023

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga led the inauguration of the new DENR 6 Monitoring Building on Thursday, January 19, 2023.

“This new Monitoring Building used to be an old, abandoned and dilapidated building left by the Iloilo Harbor Pilots Association,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran during a short program for the building inauguration. The strategic location of the building prompted the management of DENR 6 to utilize it for its own use instead, thereby contributing to the modernization of the office and beautifying the area where it now stands.

The new Monitoring Building will house the Storage and Procurement Bay (for disposal and for acquired supplies and materials), the General Services Section, and PENRO Iloilo’s Forest Products and Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Section (to monitor charcoal and wildlife from Guimaras Island) at the ground floor. Meanwhile, the second floor of the building will house permanent records of the Planning and Management Division, the Finance Division, and the Administrative Division. Lastly, the roof deck will be used for monitoring purposes.

“My main concern is for you to optimize the records, and possibly look into the digitization of the records you’re going to file here. We all know that records are important. At the end of the day, if they degrade or are damaged, we will lose them forever. We need to digitize and have the records already prepared in a form that can be handed down by this particular office,” said Secretary Loyzaga.

“This is a unique spot and a historic boulevard. You have a gem here. I’d like everyone to represent the Department in a dignified and in a professional way as possible. This is the face of the DENR now. Congratulations for this hard work. This is an excellent manifestation of the dedication of DENR,” she added.

The new Monitoring Building of DENR 6 is located in Muelle Loney Street, and is overlooking the Iloilo River and Guimaras Strait. A unique spot, indeed./DENR 6

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Published: 20 January 2023

Three (3) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) V personnel were recognized for their excellent work performance during the 2022 Year-End General Assembly on December 21, 2022 at the DENR V Multipurpose Hall, Regional Center Site, Rawis, Legazpi City.

The search for the Best in Patent Generation, which aims to enhance the competence and commitment of DENR V field personnel and ensure the overall accomplishment of regional targets on patent processing and issuance was presented by Regional Executive Director (RED) Francisco E. Milla, Jr., OIC, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Technical Services (TS) Atty. Ronnel C. Sopsop, and OIC, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Management Services Grace L. Cariño, Ph.D.

Out of the eleven (11) nominees, Land Management Inspector (LMI) Juriel M. Detera of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Sorsogon was awarded as 1st Placer, followed by LMI Myra J. Cereno of PENRO Camarines Norte, and LMI Celine L. Cambronero of PENRO Albay as 3rd Placer.

Nominees were assessed and evaluated based on the following criteria: physical accomplishment (50%), timeliness (20%), quality of work (20%), and client satisfaction (10%).
Certificates and cash prizes were given to the winners.

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Published: 12 January 2023