TANAY, RIZAL – known for its historical background and filming location for both television (TV) and movie productions. Calinawan Cave become a major tourist attraction in the province.

With this activities, flora and fauna inside and outside the cave received immense damage particularly the stalactite and stalagmite formation on its main chamber. The noise and motion create destruction to its natural ecology. That may further lead to transfer of habitats for bats and other life forms inside the cave.

To ensure sustainability and protection against exploitation, the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Rizal together with Local Government Unit of Tanay and Calinawan Cave stakeholders conducted a three (3) day cave assessment and management planning last September 23-25, 2020.

The Regional Cave Assessment Team (RCAT) headed by For. Reginald Forcadilla conducted cave profiling activities to assess and map the Calinawan Cave in Sitio Rawang, Brgy. Tandang Kutyo.

The Cave will be classified based on the proper use and management under Republic Act No. 9072 (National Caves and Cave Resources Management RA and Protection Act).

“As for initial findings, Calinawan Cave will be classified as Class II, but some chambers will be closed to public for conservation area and safety purposes.” For. Forcadilla said.

Caves classified under “Class II” have sensitive geologic values or high-quality ecosystems, as well as portions with hazardous conditions. These caves may be closed seasonally or permanently, or may be open only to experienced cavers or guided educational tours.

As significant input in the formulation of five (5) year management plan, For. Zosima B. Belen Chief for Conservation and Development Section of PENRO Rizal facilitated the workshop with Calinawan Cave Tour Guides, locals of Sitio Rawang and LGU representatives.

In addition, Ms. Joice Jules Gapido, head of Municipal Tourism office discussed the Tourism Tour Guiding in approach to new normal. Solid Waste Management Practices of Tanay were also introduced by For. Suzette Villanueva, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer.

The general objectives of the management plan are to conserve the biodiversity inside and outside the cave. To promote the area as prime eco-tourism destination and to develop sustainable behavior and attitude among the communities towards forest protection and biodiversity conservation and development.

Caves are considered unique, natural and non-renewable resources with important scientific, economic, educational, cultural, historical and aesthetic values. They are home to specialized mineral formations with unique and diverse flora and fauna.

As mandated by law, the DENR is tasked to formulate, develop and implement a national program for the management, protection and conservation of caves and cave resources, with the cave coordinating agencies like the National Museum, National Historical Institute, the Department of Tourism and Local Government Units concerned.

Citizens may report illegal activities causing the destruction of the cave to PENRO at 8 286- 6170 and or at Tanay Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office at 8 655-1773. Photos and videos may be sent via the official Facebook account (@penrorizalofficial87) or send by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 14 October 2020

On September 18, 2020, CENRO Catanauan, Quezon participated in the Simultaneous planting of Bamboo in line with the celebration of “World Bamboo Day” with the theme “PAMANANG KAWAYAN: Luntiang Ginto ng Kagubatan”.

The activity was participated by DENR Personnel together with the members of Samahan ng Malayang Magbubukid ng Barangay Cambuga Inc. (SAMACA) headed by its PO President, Mr. Rodrigo Navela. A total of one hundred (100) Bamboo culm cuttings were planted within the streambanks of 5.0 hectares Other Fruit Trees Plantation CY 2011 NGP Site located at Brgy. Cambuga, Mulanay, Quezon.

Bamboo Planting Activity is one of the advocacy to rehabilitate and reforest degraded forestlands to develop sustainable bamboo plantations for the wood industry to provide an alternative wood source in the country. It aims to promote and publish initiatives on Bamboo plantations establishment and to showcase bamboo products. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 14 October 2020

In celebration of World Bamboo Day 2020 with the theme “Pamanang Kawayan: Luntiang Ginto ng Kalikasan”, the DENR CENRO Calaca together with PENRO Batangas, conducted a Bamboo Tree Planting last September 18, 2020, at Brgy. Lumbang na Matanda, Calaca, Batangas.

The said activity was participated by selected employees of CENRO Calaca headed by OIC CENRO Isagani Q. Amatorio, PENRO Batangas headed by OIC PENRO Noel Recillo, LGU barangay, Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Brgy Lumbang na Matanda, and PNP Calaca. The number of participants was limited to maintain social distancing during the conduct of activity.

 “Sana’y wag matapos ito sa pagtatanim, dapat ito’y atin ding alagaan.” PENRO Recillo said during his message. He reminds the DENR employees, LGUs and POs to continuously practice proper maintenance of bamboo after planting.

Before the planting, an IEC lecture were conducted, highlighting the importance and benefits that can be derived from bamboos and some information about the advocacy of our DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, which is to rehabilitate and reforest degraded forestlands using Bamboo. It was followed by a short demonstration on how to properly plant the bamboo culms. Also, 30 pcs IEC materials on “Paraan ng Pagpaparami ng Kawayan” were distributed to all the participants.

Lastly, 60 pcs of Kawayang Kiling (Bambusa vulgaris) culms were planted within the 2017 NGP site.

Health and safety measures against COVID-19 were properly observed and practiced during the activity. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 14 October 2020

Kahapon, September 10, 2020, ay nagsagawa ng paglagda ng Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sa pagitan ng DENR at ng Laguna Provincial Police Office na naglalayon na mag-adopt ng Sampung (10) ektarya mula sa CY 2016 259 ha. NGP Timber Plantation sa Brgy. Tala, Rizal, Laguna.

Layunin ng MOU na mailunsad ang proyektong SPLaKaM “Samahang Pulis Laguna, Kapanalig Mo at Makakalikasan” ng Laguna Provincial Police Office sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng buong suporta ng DENR at ng lokal na pamahalaan.

Ang SPLaKaM ay isang proyekto na naglalayon na magkaroon ng direktang pakikilahok sa mga aktibidad na may kinalaman sa pagpapalaki at pagpapanatili ng mga itatanim na mga puno bilang tugon sa banta ng pabago-bagong panahon.

Nagsagawa naman ng isang maikling lecture si Hon. Vice Mayor Antonino Aurelio patungkol sa mga benepisyo na maaring makuha sa pagtatanim ng mga puno. Dagdag pa rito, nabanggit din niya ang wastong pamamaraan sa pagtatanim ng puno.

Kasabay ng paglagda ng MOU, ay nagsagawa din ng isang Tree Planting Activity na kung saan itinanim ang 2,000 na mga punong kahoy tulad ng Narra, Kalumpit, at Tangisang Baguio sa apat (4) mula sa sampung (10) ektarya na kanilang iaadopt na NGP Plantation.

Ang mga nasabing aktibidad ay dinaluhan nina Hon. Mayor Vener Muñoz, Hon. Vice Mayor Antonino Aurelio, PLTCOL Pastor Castillo, PCOL Serafin Petalio III, DENR IV-A Regional Executive Director Nonito Tamayo, ARD for Technical Services Alfredo Palencia, PENRO Ronilo Salac, CENRO Victor Mercado, Chief, CENRO CDS Elisa Apolinario De Vera, Chief, PENRO CDS Melvin Lalican, DENR CALABARZON personnel, PENRO Laguna personnel, CENRO Sta. Cruz personnel, at mga Kapulisan mula sa Laguna Provincial Police Office. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 14 October 2020

Sta. Cruz, Laguna- Arestado ang isang lalaki na di umanoy nagbebenta ng ilegal na mga “Premium Hardwood Species” na kahoy sa pamamagitan ng FB online selling sa isinagawang buy bust operation ng DENR CENRO Sta. Cruz sa pakikipagtulungan ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region IV-A sa Brgy. Longos, Kalayaan, Laguna noong Hulyo 20, 2020, Lunes dakong 12:30 ng tanghali.

Batay sa inisyal na imbestigasyon, isang 8888-complaint ang idinulog sa tanggapan ng CENRO Sta. Cruz hinggil umano sa pagbebenta online ng mga hinihinalang premium species na kahoy gamit ang Facebook. Nakipag-ugnayan sa operatiba ng NBI ang tanggapan ng CENRO Sta. Cruz noong ika -1 ng Hulyo 2020 upang pagplanuhan ang pagsasagawa ng isang buy bust operation. Bago ang nasabing operasyon ay nagkaroon ng surveillance ang ilang kawani ng CENRO Sta. Cruz upang malaman ang sitwasyon sa nasabing lugar.

Agad na isinagawa ang operasyon matapos magpositibo sa naturang surveillance ang illegal na pagbebenta ng hardwood species ng naturang suspek. Nakumpiska ng otoridad mula sa lalaki ang 42 Yakal lumber na umaabot sa 434 boardfeet.

Samantala sa kalapit na lugar ng nasabing operasyon ay nakahuli at nakakumpiska din ng magkasanib na pwersa ng CENRO Sta. Cruz at NBI IV-A ng 25 pirasong Narra Lumber na aabot sa 434 boardfeet at 17 sets ng mga yari ng furnitures na tinatayang aabot din sa 434 boardfeet.

Ang mga nasabat na kahoy at furniture sets ay nasa pangangalaga ngayon ng CENRO Sta. Cruz na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Duhat, Sta. Cruz, Laguna upang pangalagaan ang naturang ebidensya.

Samantalang, sumailalim naman ang suspek sa inquest proceedings at nasampahan na ito ng kaukulang kaso dahil sa paglabag nito sa Section 77 ng PD 705 as Amended. Sa kasalukuyan ay pansamantalang nakalaya ang suspek sa pamamagitan ng pagbail nito sa halagang ₱32,000. Patuloy na didinggin ang kaso sa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Sta. Cruz Branch sa mga susunod na mga araw.

Laging pinapaalalahanan ng DENR ang publiko na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang pagpuputol ng mga puno kung wala itong kaukulang permit mula sa nasabing tanggapan. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 14 October 2020