Press Releases

PENRO CAVITE SHOWS ITS TREE-MENDOUS LOVE BY HUGGING A TREE

The DENR-PENRO Cavite personnel took part in the celebration of love this February by giving a hug not to another person but to TREES!
 
The return of the tree hugging campaign is a nationwide call from the DENR Forest Management Bureau to raise awareness about the importance of nurturing forests by showing passionate action towards the protection and conservation of the same, as well as the benefits of tree hugging to a person’s well-being that include increase in the levels of the happy hormone, Oxytocin, in the body. Communion with trees can also reduce stress, promote calmness, lower blood pressure, and increase immunity. It also significantly improves the overall sense of peace, happiness, and well-being.
 
Most importantly, this year’s tree hugging campaign extends beyond personal benefits as exemplified by the Chipko Movement in India in 1979. Chipko, a Hindi word meaning “to hug”, reflected the campaign’s primary tactic of clinging to trees to prevent loggers from cutting them down.
 
The entire DENR-PENRO Cavite, headed by PENR Officer Januel R. Peras together with Technical Services Division Chief Reynaldo A. Belen and Management Services Division Chief Ma. Joy Grace S. Sazon participated in the tree hugging activity by featuring Anabiong (Trema orientalis), a native tree species in the Philippines, located in the ecological garden of PENRO Cavite. The said species plays a vital role in ecosystems as it provides habitat and food for various wildlife species, including birds and insects and is traditionally used for making furniture—particularly in our country, where wood is valued for its durability and attractive grain.
 
The tree hugging campaign ran from February 12-16, 2024. The DENR encourages the general public to join the movement by posting a selfie/groufie showing a creative way of hugging a tree (plus factor if featured tree is a heritage tree) and use the official hashtags #PunoNgPagmamahal #OneTreeLove #FMBTreeHuggingDay #ValentinesDay in uploading the photos. Hug a tree today! Happy tree hugging! ###
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PENRO CAVITE JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATING WORLD WETLANDS DAY THROUGH PHOTO EXHIBIT

With this year's theme “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing”, the DENR-PENRO Cavite kick-started its celebration of World Wetlands Day through a photo exhibit showcasing Cavite’s wetland ecosystem. This activity highlighted that human beings are interlaced not only with wetlands but also with nature in general.
 
The photo exhibit highlighted the results of the Asian WaterBird Census conducted last January 17-19, 2024 where migratory birds rest in the mangrove areas of the municipalities of Kawit and Noveleta, and City of Bacoor, Cavite, as well as the coral garden located at the Core Zone of Ternate Marine Park (TMP), Ternate, Cavite. Moreover, the results of the inland wetland inventory conducted by the PENRO in CY 2023 were showcased in the exhibit. The exhibit was viewed by a total of 81 individuals, 38 male and 43 female, composed of DENR-PENRO Cavite clients and Trece Martires City Senior High School and Cavite State University-Trece City Martires Campus students.
 
Aside from the photo exhibit, trivial questions in a fishbowl about wetlands were provided for the observers to answer. Said questions include information that approximately 6% of the world’s land cover has been identified as wetlands and how the said soil-covered water areas act as a filtration system storing up 30% of land-based carbon, among other ecosystem services that it offers and many more. Threats posed to wetland ecosystems such as pollution, harmful human activities, as well as adverse effects of climate change were also included in the pool of questions which served as a way to encourage participation of the observers in the conservation and protection of wetlands.
 
The observers of the one-day photo exhibit were made aware about the wetlands near them and the practices that they can do to take part in wetlands conservation and protection. Observers, especially the students, pledged to be more conscious about their environment given that wetlands and the environment in general are interlaced with human wellbeing.
 
World Wetlands Day is being celebrated annually every 2nd day of February. This day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in Ramsar, Iran in 1971, also known as “The Ramsar Convention”. In support of this environmental celebration, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada signed Presidential Proclamation No. 74 series of 1999 declaring February 2 of every year as National Wetlands Day in recognition of its immense importance to the welfare of the Filipino people and the protection of global biodiversity. This celebration is an avenue to raise public awareness on the importance of wetlands and its vital role in preserving biodiversity, and promote the conservation and wise use of these ecosystems. ###
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PENRO LAGUNA CELEBRATES WORLD WETLANDS DAY THROUGH A RIVER CLEAN-UP ACTIVITY

In celebration of World Wetlands Day 2024 with the theme “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing”, PENRO Laguna, through its Conservation and Development Section and in partnership with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) of Calamba City, successfully conducted a clean-up activity along San Juan River, Brgy. San Juan, Calamba City on February 2, 2024.
 
The said clean-up activity was participated in by a total of 45 individuals composed of representatives from Calamba City ENRO, local residents of Barangay San Juan, and selected personnel of PENRO Laguna. According to Senior Ecosystem Management Services Marina F. Agnes from the City ENRO - Calamba, approximately 150 sacks weighing around 1,500 kilograms of wastes were collected, mostly residual and non-biodegradable. Information materials regarding wetlands conservation were likewise distributed to the local residents residing near the San Juan River.
 
World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 of each year to raise awareness about wetlands and its critical importance. February 2 also marks the anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands held in Ramsar City, Iran which was adopted as an international treaty in 1971. This year’s theme spotlights how interconnected wetlands and human life are – with people drawing sustenance and resilience from these productive ecosystems. More importantly, it underscores how all aspects of human wellbeing are tied to the health of the world’s wetlands.
 
San Juan River is one of the 12 major rivers in the province of Laguna that is being maintained and protected under the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program. It is one of the rivers largely contributing to Laguna Lake with boundaries traversing provinces of Laguna and Batangas with a total catchment area of 19,590 hectares and 12,617 hectares, respectively.###
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SAN MATEO MUNICIPALITY TAKES ACTION AGAINST RIVER POLLUTION IN BARANGAY STA. ANA

The municipality of San Mateo, Rizal, in response to a complaint regarding piled garbage along the riverside in Barangay Sta. Ana, took decisive action by organizing a clean-up drive on January 20, 2024.
 
A team of 23 dedicated volunteers, including officials from Barangay Sta. Ana and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), came together to address the issue. The clean-up effort focused on the Nursery Compound area along Zuñiga St. in Barangay Sta. Ana, covering a 203-meter stretch of waterways.
 
During the clean-up drive, an impressive 145 kilograms of solid waste were collected, highlighting the severity of the pollution problem in the area. The collected waste was meticulously segregated at the Barangay Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) ensuring proper disposal, and recycling practices were followed.
 
Arrangements were made to transfer to San Mateo Landfill the waste that could not be processed locally, guaranteeing the responsible disposal of all collected materials.
 
This collaborative initiative underscores the commitment of the municipality of San Mateo, Barangay Sta. Ana, and concerned citizens to address environmental concerns and preserve the natural beauty of the region. ###
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“A SUCCESS STORY IN FOREST PROTECTION” CASE CLOSED: PENRO CAVITE’S ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL CUTTING OF TREES

“Batas pangkapaligiran, patuloy na umiiral sa probinsiya ng Cavite.” The successful apprehension of 116.66 bdft. Yemane lumber and one unit of chainsaw without serial number is a significant achievement for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the province of Cavite.

On November 5, 2023, DENR-PENRO Cavite-Surveillance, Intelligence and Investigation Unit (SIIU) received information regarding an on-going cutting of trees in Brgy. Pinagsanjan B, Maragondon, Cavite, hence, two Forest Protection Officers (FPOs) were immediately dispatched to conduct surveillance on the matter. Upon verification, Forester Rhex P. Calipdan, the In-Charge, SIIU, immediately coordinated with the PNP Maragondon and sought its assistance about the reported illegal activity.

The DENR-PENRO Cavite took legal action by filing a case against the perpetrator for violation of Section 77 of PD 705 as amended by RA 7161 regarding cutting, gathering, and/or collecting timber or other forest products without license and Section 7(4) of RA 9175 otherwise known as Chainsaw Act of 2002 for actual unlawful use of chainsaw. The case was filed at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cavite, Branch 20 on the same date of the surveillance activity.

After a series of court hearings which were attended by For. Calipdan and the legal researchers of PENRO Cavite, the violator was found “Guilty” without reasonable doubt for violation of Section 77 of PD 705 and was sentenced to suffer the penalty of six (6) months and one (1) day.

The abrupt action of PENRO Cavite reflects the diligence of DENR in pursuing legal action against violators of the law. This success story highlights the unwavering efforts of DENR in enforcing environmental laws as well as addressing illegal activities and promoting responsible stewardship of the natural resources in the province of Cavite. ###

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