Press Releases

PILOT TESTING OF SMART 7 MOBILE AP FOR LAWIN SYSTEM AT CENRO STA. CRUZ, LAGUNA

The Forest Management Bureau (FMB) together with United States Agency for International Development-Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Ocean, and Landscapes (USAID-SIBOL) conducted pilot testing of the updated version of SMART Mobile App for LAWIN System, the SMART 7, at CENRO Sta. Cruz, Laguna in the CALABARZON Region.
 
The pilot testing provided hands-on training on handling of SMART accounts from SMART 6.1 to SMART 7 and the use of SMART 7 Mobile for Forest Conservation Areas (FCAs). It is also a great venue to know and address the technical concerns on the implementation of LAWIN System and the use of the SMART 7 Mobile App.
 
LAWIN is a forest and biodiversity protection system that integrates forest, biodiversity and threats monitoring, implementation of interventions to address threats and monitoring of the response of the forest ecosystem to these management interventions as per Joint FMB-BMB Technical Bulletin No. 2016-01.
 
CENRO Venerando U. Garcia expressed his gratitude for choosing CENRO Sta. Cruz as the pilot site in the CALABARZON Region. DENR CENRO Sta. Cruz has intensified its advocacy in raising environmental awareness and is relentless in undertaking law enforcement and forest protection activities.
 
For the continuous forest protection, patrolling of Forest Rangers and Forest Protection Officers with the use of Landscape and Wildlife Indicator (LAWIN) application is being sustained throughout the 5,735 hectares of forest land covering the municipalities of Sta. Maria, Siniloan, Famy, Pangil, Paete, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Rizal, and the City of San Pablo.###
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CENRO STA. CRUZ'S YEAR-END ASSESSMENT FOR CY 2023 AND WATS FORWARD FOR 2024

DENR-CENRO Sta. Cruz conducted its Year-End Assessment for CY 2023 and Ways Forward for CY 2024 on December 19, 2023.
 
The year-end assessment aims to evaluate the physical and financial accomplishments for CY 2023, identify opportunities for improvement, and recognize the invaluable insights and contribution of personnel on the attainment of targets and delivery of quality public service.
 
The Enforcement and Monitoring Section (EMS) highlighted their accomplishment in LAWIN Patrolling with 109% or a total of 919.75 km patrolled out of 840 km. EMS continuously strengthen forest protection activities through conduct of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaigns to the Local Government Units (LGUs) and partnerships and continuous coordination with other law enforcement organizations such as Philippine National Police (PNP), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). A total of 57 operations against illegal ENR Activities were conducted in partnership with the said agencies.
 
The Conservation and Development Section had accomplished the adoption of the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) through forging a Memorandum of Agreement between the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Mabitac and DENR. Other targets on cave assessment, implementation of cave management plan and wetland management plan, inventory of caves and wetlands, and Asian Water bird Census were also attained.
 
Under the Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP), accomplishment on Maintenance and Protection Activities of CY 2022 300 ha. Bamboo and other Fruit Tree Species within the Municipalities of Sta. Maria and Famy, Laguna and CY 2021 200 ha. Coffee and other Fruit Tree Species within the Municipality of Sta. Maria having a total of 87% survival rate has been highlighted. Moreover, as one of the strategies in closing the open access areas, a total of 11 MOAs were forged for NGP Adoption wherein two (2) MOAs were forged this year.
For the implementation of Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program, a total of 26 River Rangers were hired for the conduct of Solid Waste and Water Hyacinth Collection within the priority rivers in the 3rd and 4th Districts of Laguna. Also, A total of 1,068 were produced and distributed to the students, communities and LGUs within Sta. Cruz River Watershed.
 
The Regulation and Permitting Section (RPS), highlighted their accomplishment on processing of Residential and Agricultural Free Patent Application with 159% (153 out of 110) and 229% (281 out of 110) respectively. In the Lot survey for Agricultural and Residential areas, 130% (84 out of 70) and 121% (152 out of 125) accomplishments were attained. Meanwhile, for the issuance of Forestry permits and registrations, 136% (519 out of 438) were processed/issued.
 
CENRO Venerando U. Garcia presented the innovation of CENRO Sta. Cruz namely policy review and recommendations, issuance of tax declaration within Protected Area, Inventory of sash factories and bamboo retailers, Donation of wood materials for fabrication of school chairs and tables, Digitalization of Citizen’s Charter, and Creation of Group Chat for ENROs within the Area of Jurisdiction. It was also presented during the conduct of the 4th Quarter Regional Management Conference (RMC) of DENR CALABARZON.
 
Last year, this Office initiated the process flowchart for the issuance of Show Cause Orders (SCOs) within Forest Land and Protected Area previously presented during the Regional Management Conference to further improve the process flow. To date, a total of 207 SCOs were issued and 44 Notices of Violations were served.
 
As part of Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), this Office has awarded best employees for CY 2023. A total of ten (10) employees both permanent and under contract of services have been recognized and awarded a Certificate of Appreciation.
 
CENRO Garcia is very much thankful for the support and cooperation of all the CENRO Sta. Cruz personnel. He acknowledged the efforts of each section and unit in the accomplishment more than the CY 2023 given targets. Also, CENRO Garcia is proud of the character and perseverance shown by the personnel of CENRO Sta. Cruz in aiming for the best to attain the given targets that strengthened this Office in becoming a transformational organization exuding vibrant, vigilant, and venerable capabilities. The contributions of the personnel all went down to success in overcoming struggles equipped with a mindset centered on the principles of DENR core values: discipline, excellence, responsibility, and nobility as a civil servant of the 3rd and 4th districts of Laguna and setting the standard for exceptional service when it comes to engagement building partnerships and fostering the trust of the citizenry.###
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DENR and various Stakeholders join forces to form the Lagnas River Watershed Management Council

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Tayabas, Quezon has initiated the circulation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among key stakeholders within their jurisdiction that marks the inception of the Lagnas River Watershed Management Council - an entity that aims to oversee and advise on watershed planning and program/project implementation. 

The Lagnas River Watershed Management Council, conceived through various stakeholders and the government's collaborative effort, is poised to serve as an oversight and advisory body that will focus on guiding watershed planning initiatives and ensuring effective program and project implementation for the conservation and sustainable use of the Lagnas River Watershed.

Its immediate focus involves the establishment of a Watershed Management Planning Team (WMPT), which will play a significant role in formulating an Integrated Watershed Management Plan for the Lagnas River Watershed. The comprehensive plan will encompass essential elements such as protection, restoration, and rehabilitation activities, water quality monitoring, and the delineation of buffer zones.

The collaboration involves key stakeholders such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Irrigation Administration, Provincial Government of Quezon, Municipalities of Sariaya, Lucban, and Candelaria, City of Tayabas, and people's organizations Tapat Kalikasan Federation, Inc., and Sariaya Farmers Federation.

By bringing together the expertise and resources of various stakeholders, CENRO Tayabas aims to ensure the responsible management and conservation of this essential watershed. ###

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DENR PENRO CAVITE DELIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL LECTURE TO TRECE MARTIRES CITY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (TMC-SHS) STUDENTS

In observance of the National Day for Youth in Climate Action, Cavite Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Januel R. Peras delivered an environmental lecture to the students of TMC-SHS regarding the establishment and maintenance of ecological gardens, an initiative to alleviate the generation of biodegradable wastes to be used as organic inputs to the vegetables planted in the eco-garden. 

The said lecture took place during the Ecolevate Seminar of Grade 12 students of TMC-SHS, as part of their Technology and Livelihood Education (T.L.E.) subject, which primarily aims to promote the growing of vegetables and cultivate a sustainable lifestyle among the students.

PENRO Peras emphasized that the establishment of eco-gardens promotes waste diversion in support of climate change adaptation and mitigation, fosters a clean, green, and healthy environment, and provides a healthy source of food for people. He also highlighted that the said project can be replicated for household backyard gardening, which can also be done in smaller spaces (vertical gardening) by just planting vegetables using recyclable materials.

In 2022, DENR-PENRO Cavite through the Manila Bay Site Coordinating Management Office (MBSCMO) established a total of 30 ecological gardens in partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Cavite.

To conclude, PENRO Peras iterated that this initiative is just one of the many ways to promote a sustainable lifestyle. He encouraged the students to engage in tree planting and growing activities and clean-up drives. He further advised them to share the learnings that they acquired during the seminar with other students as part of empowering their fellow youth. ###

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PENRO CAVITE CONDUCTS HYBRID LEARNING EVENT IN OBSERVANCE OF THE NATIONAL DAY FOR YOUTH IN CLIMATE ACTION

The DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Cavite facilitated the conduct of a hybrid environmental learning event in celebration of the National Day for Youth in Climate Action. 

The learning event primarily aims to raise environmental awareness among the youth, as they play an important role in spreading information, running educational programs, promoting sustainable lifestyles, and adopting environment-friendly practices.

Eighty-one (81) junior and senior high school students comprising 38 males and 43 females from Trece Martires City Senior High School (TMC-SHS)-Brgys. Gregorio and Cabuco Campuses participated in the learning event.

In her opening message, Ms. Kristine Grace Garcia, class adviser of the students, strongly encouraged the students to put into action the information and knowledge that they will learn from the event.

Afterwards, Cavite PENR Officer Januel Peras welcomed the students and expressed his hope for the provincial office to actively partner with the youth in protecting the environment. 

Topics discussed during the event were the effects of Climate Change as conveyed by PENRO Environment and Mining Unit Chief Samuel Fabro, and salient features of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 as discussed by Mr. Rodel D. Tuliao, designated Alternate Youth Desk Officer of PENRO Cavite.

After the lecture, students shared their insights and expressed their pledges to protect the environment. Most of them pledged to use several social media platforms to raise environmental awareness and influence their fellow youths towards environmental protection and conservation considering that they constitute the majority of the population. ###

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