A photo entitled “Shelter in Place” by Ms. Nadine Ledesma won the first prize in the recent photo contest in DENR PENRO Rizal. 

The photograph was taken at the protected forest area of the University of Rizal System Tanay campus. According to Ms. Ledesma, she saw this unusual epiphyte wrapped around a white lauan tree and decided to merit a shot.

“I learned that this epiphyte belongs to the genus Dischidia, a relative of the more popular Hoya genus. Epiphytes are not parasitic. They do no harm to the tree they cling to. They take in nutrients from the air, water, and debris around them. This harmonious relationship between trees and epiphytes thus makes the forest ecosystem an important contributor not just to carbon sequestration but also to biodiversity.”

The photo was among the 10 best chosen by the PENRO Rizal from over 50 entries from the province. She will receive a cash prize worth 5,000 pesos. While the 2nd and 3rd placer will be received 3,000 and 2,000 pesos respectively and additional 2,000 pesos along with the consolation prizes for the winner of People’s Choice 

For this year’s theme, Forest and Biodiversity, the participants were tasked to take a photo of Rizal forest areas bringing the importance of different species in a most diverse ecosystem.

The event was originally scheduled on March 22, 2020 in celebration of International Day of Forest (IDF). But the issue on Corona Virus Disease 2019 (CoVid19) led to extend the submission of the entry until May. Fortunately, month of May is a celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD) and decided to pursue the contest on May 29, 2020.

IDBD 2020 on every 22nd day of May every year promote biodiversity issues to increase understanding and awareness. With the theme, Our Solutions are in Nature emphasizes hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 13 July 2020

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, CAVITE (July 6) – In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and the limitations that it brings like the prohibition of physical contact and mass gatherings, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Cavite initiated the conduct of an environmental photo contest as a virtual Information and Education Campaign to engage the general public towards environmental protection and conservation by mobilizing them in using the art of taking pictures.

Relative to this, the photo contest was conducted in observance of the Philippine Environment Month and other environmental events being celebrated every month of June such as the Arbor and DENR Day 2020.

Submission of entries was opened to the public from June 10 to June 26, 2020. Pictures must be taken within the Province of Cavite highlighting its environment and natural resources not limited to wildlife, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

PENRO Cavite was overwhelmed by the number of participants who joined the photo contest. This clearly shows that most of the people are starting to appreciate the aesthetic gift of nature, which in return can be a foundation for having a strong advocacy towards environmental protection and conservation.  

One hundred three (103) entries were received for the photo contest and among those entries that made to the Top 10 photos were thoroughly deliberated through the preliminary judging conducted on June 26, 2020. Afterwards, the top 10 finalists were adjudged by the panel of judges from DENR PENRO Cavite, Cavite State University Indang, and PG-ENRO.

Winners received P 7,000 as 1st prize; P 5,000 as 2nd prize; P 3,000 as 3rd prize; and consolation prizes for the 7 remaining finalists. Winners of the environmental photo contest were announced and posted in PENRO Cavite Facebook Account on June 30, 2020. Photo entry #16 entitled “A Wave of Nature” won the first prize. It was taken in Ternate which depicts the coastal resources of the Province.

On the same date, PENRO Cavite concluded the contest by encouraging the people to appreciate more the nature and inspire them to share their environmental portraits to help promote environmental protection and conservation campaigns, because this office believes that photography allows people to admire the nature captured in a frozen moment.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 13 July 2020

“We should not just be doing a day to day work just to be able to accomplish something. We must be focusing on the actual environmental issues”, the new Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON Regional Executive Director (RED) Gilbert Gonzales said in his speech during the Turn Over Ceremony and Acceptance of Leadership Responsibilities conducted on July 5, 2019 at the DENR Regional Office in Mayapa, Calamba City.

“Hindi dapat maging obstacle ‘kung gaano kalaki ‘yung problema… somewhere along the way we can find alternatives on how to address the issues. I want everybody na maging ganoon ang thinking natin.” He added.

RED Gonzales is a graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology with a degree in Civil, Environmental and Sanitation Engineering. He also has a Masters Degree in Environmental Studies from New Southwales University in Sydney, Australia. He is a Career Executive Service Officer III and has held various positions in DENR such as Regional Director of EMB Region V, Assistant Director  of EMB Central Office, Bureau Director of EMB, Regional Executive Director of DENR Region V and VII, and later assigned at the Office of the Undersecretary for Field Operations to oversee area development projects for Luzon.  He hails from the Province of Albay, in the Bicol Region.

Pursuant to DENR Special Order No. 2019-434 dated June 27, 2019, RED Gonzales is designated as OIC, Assistant Secretary for Field Operations-Southern Luzon and as RED for the CALABARZON.

Guest Speaker DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna added that the Region is fortunate for having top caliber REDs, such Assistant Secretary for Field Operations - Southern Luzon Reynulfo Juan, Atty. Maria Paz Luna, and now, RED Gonzales. He also noted that the DENR Central Office is more than willing to help the Region.

Meanwhile, former RED, Atty Luna briefly expressed her gratitude to the Regional and Field Office employees. Atty. Luna will continue to report to the Office of the Regional Executive Director for work assignment.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 09 October 2019

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Bago City recently spearheaded the 7th cleanup of Sum-ag River in Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

One hundred eighty five (185) participants from the Philippine Coast Guard, Sum-ag Elementary School, PCG Auxiliary, City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council(CFARMC) Guardians Emigrant and barangay officials and residents joined the Sum-ag River Cleanup and gathered a total of forty three (43) sacks of assorted garbages.

DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr. thanked stakeholders for helping cleanup Sum-Ag River. He also appealed to the community to observe proper solid waste disposal and management.

“The Environment Department is very thankful for your active support in helping to improve the quality of our water bodies. Whatever we do to our environment will eventually affect us in many ways”, he said.

RED Milla also underscored that the conductof cleanup drive will need the involvement of community for them to realize the need tO reverse the worsening condition of rivers and other water bodies.

Clean Water is one of the ten (10) priority programs of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu which aims to improve water quality of priority rivers and other critical water bodies including lakes and bays through continuous massive clean up, monitoring of industries and rehabilitation of esteros and rivers./DENR-CENROBago

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 18 September 2019

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)ZamboangaPensinsulathru the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Zamboanga City, in coordination with the office of the Register of Deeds and local government unit officials awarded186 land titles to qualified recipients from Barangay Tolosa under the HandogTitulo Program.

The awarding ceremony, held on September 18, 2019 in Zamboanga City, was attended by Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Atty. Rommel Agan (for Mayor BengClimaco), Register of Deeds Jayvee Baginda, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Dante Oporto, CENROfficerPilaritoMontebon, City Assesor Erwin Bernardo, Tolosa Barangay Chairman Joseph S. Lazareno, beneficiaries and residents of the said barangay.

Vice Mayor Agan congratulated the beneficiares and told them to take care of their land titles as this can be used as collaterals in times of need.

" Puedeyaustedesdurmienbuenamentetodo el noche y hindena man lingasa cay talyiya con ustedes el titulo del magatierradondeustedes ta queda o siembra," (You can now sleep soundly everynight and not worry anymore because you are now in possession of land titles for the lands where you stay or plant.) said Vice Mayor Agan.

CENRO Montebon, on the other hand, invited others who still do not have land titles to visit his office to apply as the office provides free land survey services to qualified applicants.

"Please feel free to visit our office for your titling needs or concerns,"CENRO Montebon said.

The beneficiaries were all happy and contented for finally receiving the titles to their lands.

A total of 186 land titles were awarded consisting of 90 Agricultural Patents and 96 Residential Free Patents.

The conduct of the HandogTitulo Program is in line with the mandate of the DENR to administer, manage and dispose public lands in favor of qualified beneficiaries pursuant to Act No. 218 dated September 2, 1901 entitled "An Act Creating the Bureau of Public Lands." It was also held in celebration of the 118th anniversary of the Land Management Bureau. (rt)

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Regional Releases

Published: 12 September 2019