Regional Releases

DENR CALABARZON conducts “Operation Baklas Poster sa mga Puno”

R4A PR Operation Baklas Poster sa Puno web

Details

DENR 6 distributes cheques and patents in support to ISARAP 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 supported the convergence program called Integrated Sustainable Assistance, Recovery and Advancement Program (ISARAP) by distributing more than half a million in cheques to ENGP People’s Organizations, a total of 291 patents to its identified beneficiaries, and tree seedlings to people who attended the events.
 
DENR 6 Assistant Regional Director for Special Concerns Ivene D. Reyes led the agency in supporting the ISARAP activity during its first leg in Silay City, Negros Occidental last April 8, 2022. A total of Php 619,364.00 in cheques were distributed to three Peoples Organizations under the Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP) in Negros Occidental, namely: Culipapa Upland Farmers Association (CUFA); Damutan Agro-Forestry Farmers Association (DAFFA); and Binitinan Tree Growers Association (BTGA). ARD Reyes was with PENR Officer Edgardo M. Rostata. Also gracing the event was Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr., Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes. 
 
Moreover, 78 People’s Organizations under the jurisdiction of CENRO Kabankalan have received their signed Letter of Agreements (LOAs) for the implementation of the Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP) in their respective areas. Meanwhile, 13 POs also received their LOAs for ENGP and one PO received their LOA for a retention fee. 
 
Also in Negros Occidental, a total of 86 patents were distributed to land beneficiaries from Tangub, Bacolod City (18 patents) and Canmoros, Binalbagan (68). 
In Iloilo City’s ISARAP event last April 9, the DENR 6 distributed 100 patents to the following: 50 patents received by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) of the municipality of Tubungan, Iloilo while the other 50 patents were received by the MENRO of the municipality of Tigbauan, Iloilo. 
 
Also, two (2) Peoples Organizations (POs) under the Forestland Management Project (FMP) received their cheques with a total amount of Php 303,000.00, namely: the Asosasyon sang Manugproteher sang Kabukiran sa Lambunao-AMAKAN in Lambunao, Iloilo (Php 164,000.00), and Aglobong Upland Farmers Association, Inc., AGUFA in Janiuay, Iloilo (139,000.00). 
 
The DENR 6 had also entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Katilingban sang Pumuluyo nga Naga-atipan sang Watershed sa Maasin (KAPAWA-Maasin) as represented by PO President Rubenie Castellanes for the implementation of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Participants during the ISARAP event that was held at the Iloilo Sports Complex also availed of tree seedling with the Provincial ENR Office (PENRO) Iloilo distributing a total of 200 seedlings of Bugnay, Molave, Philippine Ash and Banilad, and also various IEC materials. With ARD Reyes were Iloilo PENR Officer Salvador “Jun” Manglinong, Jr. and CENR Officers (CENROs) Vicente T. Mellizas, Jr. of CENRO Guimbal, Glenn S. Del Norte of CENRO Barotac Nuevo, and Rene G. Abordo of CENRO Sara.
 
In the province of Aklan, ARD Reyes once again led the ISARAP activity in April 11, 2022 with Aklan PENR Officer Merlene B. Aborka and distributed a total of 105 patents to land beneficiaries. The event was held at the ABL Sports and Cultural Complex in Kalibo, Aklan. 
 
“Our ENGP and patent issuances are just two of the many programs we are implementing in the Department which directly aid people in the communities. These programs not only respond to their needs in times of disasters or emergencies but are crucial in supporting their day to day needs,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.
 
Beneficiaries of the ENGP and recipients of patent issuance can attest to the many benefits that were provided to them for many years now. With ISARAP, the DENR 6 is being proactively involved in the convergence program implemented and monitored by the Office of the President./DENR 6
 
Details

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). ###

 

Details

What Earth Day should mean to us

 
On April 22, 2022, countries and people around the world will once again celebrate Earth Day. 
 
This year’s theme: “#InvestInOurPlanet” is aimed at accelerating solutions to address the impacts of climate change. However, the work can never be a one-man army. To achieve this, everyone– governments, citizens, businesses – must be involved and do their part.
 
Fifty-two years ago, in April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day began as an environmental revolution. Then US Senator Gaylord Nelson organized the 1st Earth Day to push for environmental protection onto the national agenda. Today, we continue to embark on a massive education revolution to sustain our only home – Planet Earth.
 
Earth Day then should mean reflecting on the impact of even our small actions to the environment as a whole. With this, Earth Day should indeed be an everyday affair.
 
“Our everyday choices and actions have ripple effects to our environment. How we manage our wastes, how we consume water, how we refuse single-use plastics, how we minimize or eliminate food waste – all these and more are the things we decide upon on a daily basis. When collectively we choose to be mindful and to be aware of the positive or negative effect our actions have on this Earth, only then can we either sustain or destroy our home,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.
 
Join us as we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2022 by doing some of these small actions which, when done collectively, become great solutions:
 
 Refuse single-use plastics. Pollution from single-use plastics account for over 50% of the plastics found in landfills while 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flow into our oceans from coastal regions every year;
 Conserve water. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Water your lawns in the early morning or late at night to prevent evaporation;
 Recycle all paper waste. Use both sides of printing paper prior to recycling it. Use email instead of paper and change your billing statements to e-billing.
 Do not waste food. Meal preparation will help you know the exact ingredients you will need. If you don’t cook, don’t buy loose ingredients. If you dine out, order only what you can consume.
 Decrease your carbon footprint by taking public transportation or you may opt to ride a bike. Perhaps, you can walk when possible. Walking is good to the body and helps improve your health.
 
When we love this Planet Earth, it will surely love us back many folds. This is our home and we have all the reason to clean it and sustain it as a safe place to reside./DENR 6

 

Details

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.###

Details