A rare and endangered Rafflesia (Rafflesia banahawensis), one of the largest flowers in the world, has bloomed after months of anticipation within Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL), Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon. 

It was spotted in March 2023 while the personnel assigned to MBSCPL were conducting regular patrolling and monitoring inside the moratorium area – an area which was declared through Kautusan Blg. 001-2014 by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of MBSCPL, where certain practices and activities are prohibited. 

Rafflesia banahawensis measures up to 30 centimeters in diameter. Among other species of its kind, it is known for its striking appearance and pungent odor, which draws pollinators such as flies. It was observed that there were two (2) populations of Rafflesia flowers at the time, growing beneath the roots of its host plant, Tetrastigma.

MBSCPL, where the flower was found, is a protected area that is home to a variety of threatened and endemic species. The MBSCPL Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) continuously coordinates with the local barangay of Kinabuhayan and agrees to conduct intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities with both the communities and tourists to strengthen the protection and conservation of wildlife.

According to Forester Josephine M. Barrion, the Protected Area Superintendent of MBSCPL, a monitoring station will be set up in the area to avoid incidents of damaging the host plant and other wildlife, in observance of the Lenten Season. The PAMO will also give reminders to everyone that it is strictly prohibited to go through the moratorium area. 

The Local Government Unit of Dolores, Quezon and the PAMB have put in place measures to manage the influx of pilgrims for the upcoming season. This is to ensure their safety and also the conservation of the protected area. Establishment of designated trails, deployment of personnel and volunteers, and regulations on waste management and camping activities are among the preparatory activities designed by them.

The discovery of Rafflesia banahawensis highlights the importance of preserving its natural habitat and protecting biodiversity. It is hoped that continued conservation efforts will help to ensure the survival of this spectacular species in the wild.

The MSCPL-PAMO and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Tayabas continuously remind the public that Rafflesia is listed and designated as “Endangered” under the DENR Administrative Order 2017-11. The same is protected under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. Collecting, possessing, and poaching of its kind is punishable under this law.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 05 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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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 02 February 2023

Gamit ang ipinagmamalaking Kapeng Liberica ng Juan Santiago Agriculture Cooperative (JSACOOP) at kahusayan ni 2019 Philippine National Barista Champion Michael Harris Conlin katuwang ang kanyang grupo na Henry and Sons, nakamit nila ang Silver Award sa Global Coffee Championship sa South Korea Latte Category.

Ang JSACOOP ay isang People’s Organization (PO) sa ilalim ng Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) at National Greening Program (NGP) ng DENR. May kabuuang 298 na hektarya ang lupa na kanilang binubungkal upang magamit sa mga proyekto at aktibidad na pagtatanim ng mga gulay, puno at namumungang kahoy tulad ng kape na pangunahin nilang produkto.

Kilala din ang JSACOOP na isa sa mga umuusbong na industriya sa pagkakape. Sa katunayan, sila ay gumagawa at nagbebenta na kanilang sariling kape (Laguna Blend) mula sa kanilang sariling ani.

Ikinagagalak at ikinararangal ni CENRO Venerando Garcia ang ipinapakitang kahusayan ng organisasyon at pagkamit ng internasyonal na pagkilala at parangal. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 20 December 2022

The DENR CENRO Lipa through the Conservation and Development Section participated in the Co-Creation Workshop for the Institutional Effectiveness and Political Economy of Coral Reef Restoration in the Philippines Project held at Cerca Parola Resort, Lobo, Batangas.  The said program was a component of the project entitled “Institutional Effectiveness and Political Economy of Coral Reef Restoration in the Philippines” and was spearheaded by Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc. in collaboration with University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute with participation from Macquarie University, Southern Cross University, and University of Technology Sydney, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

The co-creation workshop focused on identifying policy agendas and management initiatives that could enhance and strengthen Lobo’s coral reef protection and management of marine and fisheries resources. Together with various stakeholders, the workshop established interventions to address governance gaps that may have direct and indirect impacts to coral reef restoration.

EMS I Charlene Jovanne Constantino discussed the DENR Guidelines and Other Practical Considerations for Coral Reef Ecosystems Restoration/Artificial Reef Installation and Management. Her discussion provided understanding for establishment and management of structures, coral reef restoration sites. She highlighted the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Technical Bulletin No. 2019-03 entitled General Considerations for Coral Reef Ecosystems Restoration/Rehabilitation which was anchored on the DENR Administrative Order No. 2016-26 or the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP).

The Municipality of Lobo, initiated the Artificial Coral Reef Project in support to their marine productivity program since its first launch on year 2014. To date, there were already an approximate of 6,000 artificial reef blocks installed along its coastal barangays, and were being maintained and enjoyed by the local government and coastal communities.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 20 December 2022

The DENR CENRO Calaca conducted monitoring on the tree planting activities in graduated NGP plantation located in Brgy. Patugo, Balayan, Batangas.

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the adoption of a graduated NGP site in Brgy. Patugo, Balayan, Batangas was forged by and between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources CALABARZON and SEM Calaca Power Corporation (SCPC) and Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corporation (SLGPC) on October 19, 2020. Part of the agreement is the planting of 25,000 seedlings of forest tree species in a 50-hectare upland plantation. Tree planting activities in the area will be conducted by SCPC and SLGPC until the year 2023.

To ensure its high survival rate, this was monitored by the team from the Conservation and Development Section of DENR CENRO Calaca last November 10, 2022 to identify additional maintenance and protection activities needed in the area such as weeding, staking, brushing and replanting.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 24 November 2022