The DENR CENRO Lipa joined the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the SM City Lipa Grounds on October 28, 2021, for the launch of the “Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery”, aimed at bringing the government closer to the Filipino public. The ‘Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan’ is a collaboration of various agencies to inform the public about the government’s programs, policies, accomplishments, and efforts to bring about significant change to the lives of the Filipino people by showcasing real stories from the beneficiaries of the administration’s landmark projects being implemented throughout the countryside. 

During the program, OIC-CENR Officer Allan Willard M. Estillore shared to the public that the DENR, through its Field Offices, provides service and technical assistance to cater to different sectors - from the forestry, wildlife and coastal ecosystem. Services being rendered in terms of land titling through Free Patent and permits for tree cutting, chainsaw and wildlife registration were also given emphasis. Forester I Camille Paulene Peria also took the opportunity to steer a Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) activity. She highlighted one of the priority projects of the Duterte administration which is the Battle for Manila Bay. This is a flagship program being spearheaded in Batangas Province by CENRO Lipa City, through the implementation of activities geared towards the rehabilitation of San Juan River which traverses Lipa City to Sto. Tomas City, Batangas and drains to the waterbody of Laguna de Bay and eventually, Manila Bay. The sustained activities for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay were mandated by the Supreme Court in 2008, and was given heightened priority under the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.  

DENR CENRO Lipa set-up a booth providing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and technical assistance from the Enforcement and Monitoring Section, Conservation and Development Section, Regulation and Permitting Section, and Manila Bay Site Coordinating/Management Office-Batangas. The Office also put up a seedling booth and gave away free fruit-bearing seedlings. A total of 120 seedlings of kasoy (Anacardium occidentale), atis (Annona squamosa), and guyabano (Annona muricata) were distributed free to residents of Lipa City and nearby communities to promote urban greening, environmental stability and food security amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also joining the caravan to offer basic services were the Philippine National Police, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Land Transportation Office, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The activity strengthened collaboration between the DENR and its stakeholders on the conservation and protection of the environment and sustainable utilization of the country’s natural resources. Required health and safety measures to address the COVID-19 threat were properly observed and practiced during the activity. ###