Regional Releases
DENR 6 distributes cheques and patents in support to ISARAP
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DENR CALABARZON, Mabini and Tingloy LGU, conducts extraction of COTS outbreak in Verde Island Passage
Calamba City, Laguna – DENR CALABARZON, together with the Calaca and Lipa CENR Offices, in partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Mabini and Tingloy, Batangas spearheaded the extraction and collection of the Crown-of-Thorns Sea stars (COTS) last April 1, 2022. An outbreak of COTS were reported within the Mabini-Tingloy area of the Verde Island Passage (VIP) in Batangas Province. The proliferation of these voracious corallivores causes a big threat to coral reefs, not only in VIP but in tropical countries around the globe. Moreover, the Anilao MACRO Spotters Association Inc. - an organization of divers in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas and freediver volunteers from Batangas Varsitarian in Tingloy took part in the said event.
With sizes that range from 15-70 cm in diameter and with an average of 10-18 thorny arms, approximately 1,500 COTS were collected during the activity which is equivalent to six (6) 80-liter drums. Based on the initial evaluation, the collection area has an average of about 2-5 COTS per square meter. According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) with roughly 15 COTS per hectare can be considered an outbreak.
There have been three (3) prior collection activities conducted by volunteers in the area, and had collected almost the same amount, if not more than.
The Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) (Acanthaster planci), is a large seastar that feeds upon hard, or stony coral polyps. Its name is derived from its venomous thorn-like spines that cover its upper surface. Dense aggregation of COTS can strip a reef 90% of its living coral tissues and this can indirectly affect fish populations that depend on coral reefs for habitat.
Among the causes behind the COTS outbreak is the loss of its natural predators (e.g. Triton’s trumpet, Napoleon wrasse, white-spotted pufferfish, titan triggerfish) that keep its population in check, as well as the continuous rise in sea surface temperature due to climate change exacerbated by various anthropogenic activities (e.g. improper waste management, deforestation, agricultural land run-off, overfishing). ###
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What Earth Day should mean to us
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DENR, LGU collaborate to improve land services in Angono, Rizal
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON and Municipal Government of Angono, Rizal signed a partnership agreement on April 4, 2022 for the improvement of the land-related services in the municipality through the creation of a land management office and implementation of the Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal.
DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria said Angono is one of the first municipalities/cities in the region which has responded to the call of the department for the faster titling of lands under the classification of Alienable and Disposable. He said 7,229 of the 8,261 lots in the municipality are yet to be titled.
“Ang pangunahing layunin ng pagtititulo ng lupa ay upang mabigyan ng seguridad ang mga residente na ang lupang kanilang tinitirahan, sinasaka o inookupa ay talagang pagmamay-ari na nila. Kung ang mga lupa ay natituluhan na, maiiwasan ang mga tunggalian at away tungkol sa kung sino ang nararapat na magmay-ari sa lupang ito. Sa gayon ay mapapanatili ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa inyong nasasakupan,” Tamoria stated the main objective of land titling.
“Bukod pa rito, mas mapapaunlad ang ekonomiya sa inyong bayan, mas mapapalakas ang lokal na pamahalaan, at magkakaroon ng maayos na talaan ng mga impormasyon ng kalupaan sa inyong lugar,” he added.
The regional department head also emphasized the importance of the newly created land management office. “Sa pamamagitan ng binuong land management office, mas mapapayaman natin ang detalye at impormasyon (tungkol sa lupa). Lahat ng datos na mayroon ang DENR ay ilalagak natin diyan. Makikipag-ugnayan tayo sa Registry of Deeds para mapagkumpara natin (ang mga datos) at mabigyan tayo ng maayos na record tungkol sa mga titulo,” he said.
He vowed to provide a representative to the land management office of Angono, Rizal to extend land-related services to the municipality’s constituents. “‘Yung konsepto ng one-stop shop sa usapin ng pagpapatitulo ng lupa ay maaari na po nating isagawa sa pamamagitan ng napakagandang programang land management office ng bayan ng Angono,” he said.
Angono, Rizal Municipal Mayor, Hon. Jeri Mae Calderon expressed her dedication to enhance land-related services to her constituents and highlighted that the creation of a land management office is the first step towards fulfilling her commitment to improve land administration and management within her jurisdiction.
DENR CALABARZON encourages the residents of Angono, Rizal who have land-related concerns to visit the land management office at Angono Municipal Hall for proper assistance.###
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