DENR-CENRO Sta. Cruz observed diverse species of migrant birds during its annual Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) within the nine identified migratory bird sites in Laguna.

A total of 14 species were observed during the monitoring, 8 of which were classified as migrant, 1 resident, and 1 resident and migrant. 

Waterbirds are defined as a large group of bird species that feed near or in water. Said bird species include shorebirds that forage primarily in saltwater habitat, and wading birds that utilize both freshwater and brackish water.

The AWC sites within the jurisdiction of CENRO Sta. Cruz are mostly rice fields and lake ecosystems located in Brgy. Burgos, Pakil; Sampaloc Lake and Calibato Lake in San Pablo City; Brgy. Sampaloc, Pagsanjan; Brgy. Masiit, Calauan; Brgy. Maytalang I, Lumban; Brgy. Dayap, Calauan; Brgy. Halayhayin, Siniloan; and Brgy Lewin, Lumban, Laguna.

Interestingly, the most diverse migratory bird site was Brgy. Burgos, Pakil, Laguna with a total of 11 species recorded. The highest number of birds recorded was in Brgy. Maytalang I, Lumban with a total of 401 heads composed of 310 Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia), 55 Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), 33 Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus), 3 Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea). 

Bird species such as Black-crowned Night-heron, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Wood Sandpiper, and Whiskered Tern are classified as migrants that breed outside the Philippines and migrate to the country as a response to seasons where they migrate from areas with low temperature to warmer temperatures. Places such as the Philippines provide food supply to these birds, thus the act of flocking in large numbers. The Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia), a migrant bird species, has the highest count with a total of 310 heads with the highest number recorded in Brgy. Maytalang I, Lumban, Laguna.

One resident and migrant species were found in Brgy. Sampaloc, Pagsanjan, Laguna, composed of 3 heads of Cattle Egret (Tachybaptus ruficolis). 

From the species recorded in the 9 sites, 34.62% of the species are from family Ardeidae composed of Cattle Egret, Intermediate Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Great Egret, Striated Heron, and Rufous Night-heron. This is followed by Family Rallidae consisting of Buff-banded Rail, Common Moorhen and White-browed Crake.

The total number of migratory birds and its species was observed to have decreased during the first quarter of 2024, as compared to the first quarter of last year, from 2,881 heads to 1,638 heads. It was noted that the number of migratory birds has decreased by 56.64% which may be influenced by temperature and weather condition, untimely monitoring of birds to land preparation of fields which provide them readily-available food in rice field ecosystems, and existence of fish cages that serve as food for birds in lake ecosystems.

CENRO Sta. Cruz urges the public to protect the migratory birds as they are an essential part of the ecosystems for they directly contribute to the functioning, balance, and makeup of healthy ecosystems. ###

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Published: 14 February 2024

DENR-PENRO Cavite, thru its Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU) and the assistance of Mr. Ruben Bala of Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, successfully spearheaded the annual Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in the province of Cavite, particularly within the three identified migratory bird sites namely, Brgy. San Rafael IV in Noveleta, Mouth of Imus River around the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, and Brgy. Mabolo, Bacoor City.

AWC aims to monitor water bird populations and their habitats in the area. It is a monitoring tool used to determine the distribution and standard counts of birds in wetland ecosystems.

A total of 2,854 heads of varying 23 waterbird species were counted throughout the census. Results showed an increase of 76.32% of migratory birds as compared with the previous year’s AWC results.

However, it was observed that some bird species disappeared as the AWC is being conducted annually. Some of the threats that may have caused the disappearance of these bird species overtime as observed during the monitoring include the following: ongoing construction of Sangley Airport Bypass Road, a bypass connecting Kawit and Sangley point, Cavite City; ongoing construction of Noveleta Expressway (NOVELEX), a bypass road connecting Noveleta and Cavitex; continuous building of infrastructures in Brgy. Binakayan and Pulborista, Kawit, Cavite; domestic sewage and solid wastes generated by the informal settlers and nearby building industries; and bird disturbance due to motor boats used by nearby communities for fishing and transportation.

Nevertheless, the DENR-PENRO Cavite continuously conducts and promotes several initiatives and programs towards the protection and conservation of these migratory bird sites called wetlands. These wetlands are important bird habitats because birds use them for breeding, nesting, and rearing young.

Some of PENRO Cavite’s ways in managing and preserving the wetlands ecosystems are: regular clean-up activities to lessen and remove the wastes coming from various sources; partnership building with various organizations and groups and exchanging ideas and concepts to further protect these ecosystems; and extensive Information Education Campaigns (IEC) towards environmental protection and conservation.

PENRO Cavite encourages the general public to take actions and be part of the solution, contributing to environmental protection and conservation. One’s simple ways of helping the environment could have an extensive ripple effect when done consistently. ###

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Published: 14 February 2024

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Rizal conducted its Annual Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) along the selected lakeshore areas within five barangays in the municipalities of Jala-Jala and Pililla, Rizal identified as key sites for wild migratory birds in Laguna Lake.

The AWC team was led by the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) of Pamitinan Protected Landscape and Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape, For. Zosima Belen, and PENRO Rizal Conservation and Development Section Chief, For. April De Rota, and was composed of selected personnel who are licensed Foresters, GIS Experts, and Biologists.

The team was able to identify and determine the species and the conservation status of the waterbirds observed in the sites including Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) with the most count of 76 heads, endangered Java Sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora), and vulnerable Pygmy swiftlet (Collocalia troglodytes).

The most common forms of threats on the wetland and the waterbirds were also noted during the census, most of which were human-induced such as industrial and solid waste pollution, and agricultural and fishing activities in and around the lake. All of these were labeled by the team as high levels of threats.

AWC was initially conducted in the Indian Subcontinent in 1987. Over the years, the conduct of the said census has been rapidly adopted in other countries in Asia. In line with the international census of waterbirds, AWC aims to build and strengthen the national network of census volunteers and facilitate the training of such volunteers as well.

PENRO Rizal will submit to the DENR Regional Office and the Biodiversity Management Bureau the findings and observations collected during the AWC, to be part of the department’s collective efforts and contribution to the international census. ###

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Published: 14 February 2024

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. ###

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Published: 14 February 2024

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.###

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Published: 12 February 2024