The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Rizal through the Monitoring and Enforcement Section conducted a re-orientation meeting for its Forest Protection Officers (FPO) and other field personnel regarding proper intelligence gathering and reporting, as well as the licenses and permits on wildlife and forestry.
The event aims to remind the incumbent workforce and capacitate the newly hired FPOs on their duties and responsibilities. Several key topics were discussed, including the actual operations on the field and the precautionary measures involved in intelligence gathering which include counterintelligence and clandestine activities on the field. Moreover, wildlife and forestry regulatory processes were also discussed to the participants, particularly, the new DENR Administrative Orders on the issuance of the relevant permits, licenses, and other documents.
The Monitoring and Enforcement Section, with the support of PENRO Rizal Technical Services Division Chief, Ernesto M. Diso Jr., concluded the activity by reminding the participants to protect their identities and prioritize their safety during the conduct of their assigned tasks, all while dedicating themselves towards environmental service and forest protection. ###
The newly assigned Officer-In-Charge of the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Tayabas, Forester Ramil J. Gutierrez, already hit the ground leading the office by initiating a series of meetings and courtesy calls with various stakeholders including other government offices, communities, private sectors, and other relevant stakeholders within his area of responsibility.
For. Gutierrez was the previous OIC of CENRO Catanauan, Quezon prior to being designated as the head of CENRO Tayabas on January 4, 2024. He took on his present role with the explicit intention of enforcing the directive: “Mabilis, Tapat at De-Kalidad na Serbisyo.”
One of the many activities already made by the new leader of the CENRO Tayabas was personal engagement in community affairs with the municipalities and barangays, along with the representatives from the concerned technical sections of the community office. The discussions included the environmental concerns regarding the management of forest, land, water, and other environmental resources at the local level.
CENRO Tayabas, under For. Gutierrez’ leadership, aims the direct involvement of stakeholders from the municipal and barangay levels to instill a sense of harmony in addressing environmental challenges and ENR laws implementation.
CENRO Tayabas is responsible for a total of 12 municipalities and two cities in Quezon Province, distributed across four districts: District I, including Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, Pagbilao, and the City of Tayabas; District II, covering Lucena City, Sariaya, Candelaria, Tiaong, Dolores, and San Antonio; District III, encompassing Padre Burgos, Agdangan, and Unisan; and District IV (Atimonan-Quezon Protected Landscape side).
Moreover, the office oversees a total of five protected areas, consisting of two legislated national parks (Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape and Quezon Protected Landscape) and three initial components (Palsabangon Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve (PMSFR), Binahaan River Watershed Forest Reserve (BRWFR), and Cagbalete Island Protected Landscape and Seascape).
Early in January 2024, the new OIC of CENRO Tayabas continued discussing with the Office of the 1st District Representative of Quezon Province the submission of draft legislation in the form of bills, for PMSFR and BRWFR. Similar to numerous other protected areas, these two protected areas have undergone public consultations, progressing to the subsequent stage of presenting the draft proclamations for congressional lobbying. The said document aims to provide a legal foundation for the establishment, protection, and sustainability of these PAs.
CENRO Tayabas, through its continuous efforts, aspires to set the stage for a more proactive and inclusive strategy that will guarantee simple access and the seamless provision of technical assistance pertinent to ENR matters, as well as a connected and mutually beneficial relationship between the department and its stakeholders.###
PENRO Laguna and CENRO Sta. Cruz conducted a consultation meeting with its key stakeholders and presented to them the 1) State of ENR within the province of Laguna as of December 31, 2023, 2) FY 2024 Work and Financial Plan (WFP) addressing concerns based on previous forum, and 3) ENR-related strategic actions and 3-year plans with the participation of key stakeholders, for inclusion in the DENR Forward Planning covering the period FY 2025-2027.
The consultation meeting was held in line with the directions and principles under the leadership of DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, particularly, on building and nurturing partnerships with various stakeholders to develop integrated strategies in the proper management and protection of environment and natural resources.
The consultation meeting was attended by a total of 59 participants consisting of representatives from partner local government units (LGUs) throughout the province, delegates from the offices of members of the House of Representatives, Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) – Laguna, Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) - Laguna, and partner People’s Organizations (POs) under the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Program.
OIC-PENRO Venerando U. Garcia, OIC-CENRO Isagani Q. Amatorio, Division Chiefs, Section Chiefs, and Unit Heads of both PENRO and CENRO likewise participated in the said meeting. DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria added distinction to the said meeting by gracing the same with his presence and guidance.
In his opening remarks, PENRO Garcia mentioned that the consultation meeting is very timely as there has been a significant change of leadership in PENRO Laguna and CENRO Sta. Cruz. The meeting provided the opportunity for the newly designated officers to meet the various stakeholders of the province and the platform to briefly introduce the strategic direction and operational instructions anchored on the seven priority thrusts of Secretary Loyzaga. He also encouraged active participation from the stakeholders to agree on other possible areas of collaboration in the effective management of the ENR sector in the province.
PENRO Laguna Management Services Division Chief, For. Mailene M. Gecolea-Laviña discussed the overview of the meeting, its set objectives and expected outputs. She also explained that the Provincial Stakeholders Consultation Meeting is a strategic and inclusive approach to governance that fosters collaboration, transparency, and effective decision-making at the provincial level, engaging with local communities and organizations, ensuring that their diverse voices are heard and considered, fostering a sense of community involvement and ownership in the decision-making process. It also ensures that policies are aligned with the needs and aspirations of the people residing in the province, and provides an opportunity for the stakeholders to address existing issues and leverage opportunities for growth, identify potential challenges, discuss proposed changes, gather suggestions and work towards mutually acceptable solutions.
“Isang mahalagang aktibidad po ang pakikipag-konsultahan, lalong-lalo na sa mga stakeholders para mabuo po natin ang plano sa hinaharap, maging ground-based po ang ating mga proposed na plano, mapagkunan ng references din ang mga kinatatayuang sitwasyon ng iba’t-ibang stakeholders para sa pagbabalangkas ng ating plano na na-aangkop at nakasalalay sa talagang pangangailangan ng bawat komunidad.”, RED Tamoria pointed out in his inspirational message.
Atty. Carolane P. Gonzales, the OIC, Chief of Technical Services Division led the integration and synthesis of what transcribed during the open forum, and identified proposed programs and projects where the PENRO and CENRO can collaborate to address the identified significant ENR issues and concerns.
The meeting was officially concluded with CENRO Isagani Q. Amatorio’s closing remarks, expressing appreciation and gratitude to all participating stakeholders, and ensuring that the outputs from the consultation meeting will be considered and taken into account in the forward planning of the office. ###
Siniloan, Laguna – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON proudly announces the ceremonial handover of checks from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to the Protected Area Management Board of Presidential Proclamation No. 1636 (PAMB-PP1636) last January 23, 2024, following the guidelines set in the Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas (SAPA) issued on November 23, 2023.
MWSS, having diligently fulfilled all requisite criteria, has now met its financial obligations. This includes a one-time development fee, including an annual fee. Notably, the annual fee is subject to a cumulative 10% increase annually.
The approved SAPA is dedicated to the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project (NCWS-KDP), a strategic initiative addressing water source redundancy and augmenting supply to meet growing demands. The project benefits include an additional water supply of 600 million liters per day (600MLD), improvement of the economic condition of host communities, development of ancestral domains of Indigenous Peoples/Indigenous Cultural Communities (IPs/ICC), and protection and/or conservation of the watershed ecosystem. The SAPA ensures a delicate equilibrium between environmental preservation and strategic development, in strict adherence to the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (ENIPAS Law).
The one-time development fee and annual fee payments will be channeled directly to the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) of the PAMB-PP1636. IPAF is established as a trust fund to finance the projects and sustain the operation of protected areas and the System, thus, the IPAF generated from the said project will play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, enforcement and surveillance, community involvement, ecotourism development, research and monitoring, climate change resilience, watershed management, and capacity building. By aligning the IPAF initiative with the specific characteristics and needs of areas covered by Presidential Proclamation No. 1636, the Philippines can ensure the comprehensive and sustainable protection of these vital landscapes.
Key figures present during the ceremonial turnover include DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director and PAMB Chair Nilo B. Tamoria; OIC-PENRO Quezon, Engr. Cyril A. Coliflores; CENRO Real, Quezon, Atty. Liezl E. De Mesa; Head, Support Service Group Project Management Office from Engineering and Technical Operations Group, MWSS, Engr. Delfin U. Sespeñe; Deputy Project Manager for Social and Environmental Concerns, NCWS-KDP, Mr. Jonathan R. Lamug; Focal Person for SAPA Compliance Community Relations Specialist, PMO, For. Francis Villamil; and 44 PAMB-PP1636 members composed of various stakeholders of the unnamed protected area. ###
For the past few years, podcasting industry has been a global phenomenon as it is a social media platform that not only connects one with another person or a group of people but a platform that connect with people in a deeper level.
Podcasts are collections of recorded talk-radio programs that listeners can download to their mobile devices or PCs.
Relative thereto, in order to enhance the engagement of the public with the current DENR CALABARZON’s programs and future plans and projects and bringing the government closer to the people for the betterment of our environment, the DENR CALABARZON through its Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group is set to launch its first ever Podcast show entitled, “Talakayang Kalikasan” this coming February 2024.
Exact schedule and time slot of the said show is yet to be announced on a teaser that will be posted soon.###