The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON, headed by Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria, started 2024 by restructuring some of its leaders, as part of its efforts to continually develop the organization, strengthen the implementation of the department’s plans and programs, and improve the delivery of services to the public.

The designation and reassignment of some DENR CALABARZON officials were in accordance with the Regional Special Order No. 2023-455 dated December 29, 2023 that began to take effect on January 1, 2024.

Based on the issued Order, PENRO Eriberto B. Sanos have been assigned as the new OIC, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Technical Services of the Regional Office, replacing PENRO Jose Elmer C. Bascos who is bound to have his compulsory retirement on February 9, 2024. The new ARD, who was previously assigned as the PENRO of Laguna, passed the leadership of the Provincial DENR to CENRO Venerando U. Garcia, who was the CENRO of Sta. Cruz, Laguna prior to his new designation. Supervising Ecosystems Management Specialist (SVEMS) Isagani Q. Amatorio succeeded as the new OIC, CENRO Sta. Cruz, passing the OIC, CENRO, Calaca, Batangas designation to SVEMS Rommel S. Baybayon.

Atty. Liezl De Mesa ascended as the new CENR Officer of Real, Quezon, replacing CENRO Oliver O. Olivo who returned to CENRO Catanauan, Quezon as its new head. On the other hand, Development Management Officer (DMO) V Ramil J. Gutierrez, who was the former OIC, CENRO, Catanauan, returned to CENRO Tayabas, Quezon as its OIC.

Planning Officer (PO) IV, Atty. Ma. Carolane P. Gonzales was designated as the OIC, Chief, Technical Services Division (TSD) of PENRO Laguna in preparation for the impending retirement of DMO V Divina A. Villaluz on January 30, 2024. Newly promoted Chief Administrative Officer Noime R. Mararac, on the other hand, was assigned to PENRO Batangas as its new TSD Chief. Moreover, Chief Administrative Officer Galo Martinez, Jr. was replaced by PO III Ana Liza M. Amparo as the head of the Management Services Division of PENRO Quezon in view of his retirement.

The DENR Regional and Field Offices held a series of turn-over ceremonies, starting with the CENROs of Catanauan and Tayabas on January 4, followed by PENRO Laguna on January 5, CENRO Real and ARD for Technical Services on January 8, CENRO Sta. Cruz on January 15, and CENRO Calaca on January 16. ###

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 23 January 2024

Lopez, QUEZON ― CENRO Calauag personnel attended the 4th Quarter Lalaguna Marshland Development and Management Council (LMDMC) meeting on December 19, 2023, at the Barangay Hall of Lalaguna, Lopez, Quezon to facilitate a discussion on the updating of wetland management plan for Lalaguna Marshland.

Cave and Wetland Focal Person, Forest Technician I, Maria Carel Eloisa V. Talusit and Lopez Municipal Planning Development Coordinator and concurrent Municipal Environment & Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) - Aristedes E. Arias, EnP, facilitated and discussed the process of updating of the management plan.

Afterwards, the council worked on the Political Economic Social Technology Legal Environment (PESTLE) Analysis which will yield reliable data and information for the said updating of management plan.

Further, it was also discussed that an update with the council members will also be conducted since barangay election was recently concluded and some of the barangays that have jurisdiction on Lalaguna Marsh have newly elected barangay chairpersons.

Lastly, the wetland management plan for Lalaguna Marsh will be updated immediately after the gathered sufficient data have been analyzed, reviewed, concurred and approved by the council.###

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 12 January 2024

PENRO Cavite through the Planning and Management Section presented the proposed Work and Financial Plan (WFP) for CY 2024 to the Division, Section and Unit Chiefs of the said office, in preparation for the Regional Reprogramming Workshop.

The meeting primarily aims to cascade the initial targets programmed for the following year, as well as discuss possible revisions and findings prior to its finalization and submission to the Regional Office.

A total of 30 PENRO Cavite personnel, composed of 14 males and 16 females, attended the meeting. The event was graced by Cavite PENR Officer Januel R. Peras together with the Chief of Technical Services Division (TSD) Reynaldo A. Belen and all Section Chiefs and Unit Heads.

PENRO Peras reminded all the participants to focus and look into the details of the presentation as it contains the proposed targets and budgets set for CY 2024. He added that the meeting is a venue for adjustment, evaluation, and assessment of the targets set for implementation in the following year, including budget distribution.

Two agenda items were presented during the meeting. The first was the presentation of the budget differentiation from CY 2023-2024, including the CY 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) versus the budget ceiling. On the other hand, the second presentation was the proposed WFP for CY 2024.

Several concerns have been addressed, particularly in the Land Management Sector, Conservation and Development Section, Coastal and Marine Management Unit, and General Administration and Support Services.

After the presentation, all section and unit heads were assured that they will be provided with a hard copy of the proposed Work and Financial Plan for CY 2024. Participants were also instructed to submit to the Planning and Management Section their proposed amendments, suggestions and recommendations for possible inclusion in CY 2024 WFP. ###

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 12 January 2024

To strengthen forest protection and foster the capabilities of Bantay Gubat of Tagkawayan, Quezon, the Regional Office of DENR CALABARZON together with its CENRO Calauag facilitated a training for the prospective Deputy Environment and Natural Resources Officers (DENROs) for Bantay Gubats last December 6-7 2023 held at the Municipal Building of Tagkawayan Quezon.

Said activity is pursuant to the DENR Administrative Order No. 2008-22 known as “Revised Guidelines on the Deputation of Environment and Natural Resources Officers;” and, Executive Order No. 192, which directly involve the citizenry in efforts to conserve and protect the country’s environment and natural resources.   

Maribel G. Rosana, designated MENRO, graced the event by conveying gratitude to the DENR for such an initiative that will largely benefit the Municipality in conserving the remaining forestlands in their locality.

Accordingly, several topics relevant to environment conservation and protection were discussed during the two-day activity. Enforcement Division Chief, For. Annabelle Barquilla briefed the participants with DAO 2008-22.

Other topics presented were: Philippine Laws on Forestry (PD 705, Chainsaw Act) Salient Features of DAO 97-32, Issuances of Decision/ Order, Motion for Reconsideration and Certificate of Finality and Filing of Complaints, and General Protocols on Surveillance, Investigation, Arrest and Seizure, Apprehension and Evidence Handling which were all discussed by Atty. Eric Ta-aca, Chief of Litigation and Prosecution Section of the Legal Division.

Meanwhile, to impart knowledge on forest and land management, Engr. Olivia Bejo, Chief of Licenses Patents and Deeds Division, and For. Virigilio Andres, Jr., discussed topics on Public Land Disposition and Titling and Forest Resources Permitting/Cutting Permit Regulations while in terms of the protected area and wildlife resources management, the salient features of RA 11038, or the E-NIPAS Act and RA 9147 or the Wildlife Act of 2001 were discussed by Forester Salud Pangan, Chief CDS of PENRO Quezon, and Forester Florido Morada, Chief of Wildlife Resources Permitting Section.

Moreover, the salient features of RA 9003, RA 9275, and RA 8749 and the prohibited acts and penalties therein were emphasized by the resource person from the Environmental Management Bureau.

Likewise, the salient features of Republic Act No. 7942 and the General Protocols on Apprehension, Confiscation and Seizure of Illegally-Sourced Minerals/Mineral Products and its Prohibited Acts and Penalties were discussed by Engr. Norberto Manlapas from the Mines and Geo-science Bureau.

At the end of the program, participants were equipped with the necessary knowledge on the functions and duties of deputized ENROs with duties to assist in the issuance of apprehension receipts, seizure orders, and notices of administrative hearings of illegally procured, transported, owned/possessed forest products, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources as well as in the reinforcement of forest conservation and management activities.###  

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 12 January 2024

In line with the continuous implementation of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) pursuant to DENR Administrative Order 2016-26, focusing on the sustainable management of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove stands, the DENR-CENRO Catanauan divers conducted a rapid assessment on coral damage due to the ship grounding and run aground incident happened within the portion of the Locally Managed Fish Sanctuary, which is also a part of the protected area of Alibijaban Wilderness Area (AWA), in Brgy. Alibijaban, San Andres, Quezon on December 13-14, 2023.

According to the personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard substation in San Andres, Quezon during an interview regarding the ship grounding incident, a passenger vessel with ship name Starhorse − MV VDPF 1 was spotted grounded in the coast of Brgy. Alibijaban, San Andres, Quezon on November 14, 2023 at 4:15 PM. It was low tide at that moment and the poor weather condition impeded ship maneuvers to navigate in the direction of the port. Thus, together with the Bantay Dagat and community volunteers, passengers were able to get rescued out of the ship at 5:00PM. The ship was run aground at 7:00 PM during the high tide.

Since the incident happened in the Fish Sanctuary, it is conspicuous that when the vessel runs aground on coral reefs, there is a localized physical and ecological damage which can be severe or complex. Thus, DENR-CENRO Catanauan divers conducted an underwater survey following damage assessment procedures to determine the structural damage to the reef habitat and the compensatory damage to be given against those responsible for the grounding.

Based on the assessment, the grounding typically results in structural damage to the reef habitat as the portion of the coral framework is crushed and flattened by the hull, forming rubble that smothers the area.

Since there are no national legal steps for compensation for the damaged reefs, seeking assistance from the experts to help in estimating compensation for the damage should be considered to determine the compensation level for rehabilitating the damage and the required restoration activities and the estimated time to restore the baseline level. Relatively, legal and environmental implications, appropriate measures against those responsible for the grounding and subsequent damage as well as monitoring over a period of time to track the recovery of the affected site should be given consideration too.###

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 12 January 2024