Sa ilalim ng programang ‘Tayo Ang Kalikasan’ (TAK) ng Kagawan ng Kapaligiran at Likas Yaman, isang kasunduan ang nilagdaan ng Ushio Philippines Incorporated sa pagitan ng DENR CALABARZON ngayong ika-17 ng Pebrero 2021 na ginanap sa tanggapan ng Ushio Phil. Inc., FCIE, Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
Ang kasunduan ay naglalayon na mapayabong at makapagtanim ng mga punla ng indigenous trees sa 5,000 metro kwadradong plantasyon na matatagpuan sa Barangay Halang, Amadaeo, Cavite alinsunod sa implementasyon ng Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP) sa buong bansa, sa tulong ng lokal na komunidad at mamamayan sa nasabing lugar.
Ang kasunduang ito ay naisagawa sa pangunguna ni Gg. Domingo B. Balde Jr., General Manager na sinaksihan naman ni Gng. Epigenia A. Graida, HRD & ADMIN Sr. Manager ng Ushio Phil. Inc., at ni DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nonita M. Tamayo na na-una nang nilagdaan ang nasabing kasunduan.
One hundred ten (110) hatchlings of Olive ridley ('Lepidochelys olivacea') sea turtle were released in the Municipal Waters of Brgy. Labac, Naic, Cavite. The releasing was spearheaded by PENRO Cavite thru the Coastal and Marine Management Unit and local government unit of Brgy. Labac, Naic headed by Rogelio Bilugan together with Naic Municipal Police station. Pawikan conservation is one of the department’s program in conserving the dwindling population of sea turtles.
In Cavite, pawikan festival is being conducted yearly to raise awareness on the ecological importance of these sea creatures. Further, this year marks the 10th year anniversary of pawikan festival in Naic, Cavite. Unfortunately, its celebration was postponed due to covid. Despite of its postponement we still encouraged the public especially the coastal communities to take part on pawikan conservation and protection campaigns.
Joint operation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by USEC for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Unit Concerns BENNY ANTIPORDA and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Environmental Crime Division (ECD) Re: Illegal open dumpsite in Sahud Ulan, Tanza, Cavite.
Last 14 January 2021, a six (6) hectares open dumpsite (OD) situated in a private land owned by Harmony Homes has been issued a CEASE and DESIST order from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in violation of Republic Act No. 9003, Presidential Decree 1586 and their implementing rules and regulations.
The operation was led by the NBI-ECD with assistance provided from the line bureaus, field offices and partners of DENR namely; DENR Central Office represented by USEC Benny Antiporda; DENR Task Force headed by Nilo B. Tamoria; EMB Calabarzon, Provincial Environment and Management Officer For. Adan Umipig, Cavite Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer For. Ronita A. Unlayao, and Eco-waste coalition.
The dumpsite clearly violated the provisions under the RA 9003 namely: 1. Open dumping; 2. Not ensuring segregation of different types of solid wastes for re-use, recycling and composting; and 3. It likewise violates clean air act as the burning is observed during the operation.
USEC Benny Antiporda wants to close all OD within a year and start adapting to a sanitary landfill (SLF). Some may oppose the use of SLF but this is the feasible way to manage our solid wastes as USEC Antiporda quoted “Lesser Evil”. This is just an alternative method while we are waiting for the technology which promotes a Zero Waste approach.
An open dumpsite causes adverse impacts to the environment and to its nearby communities. One of its effect is water pollution, this is when the time that the leachate of the solid waste reach the ground water. This is where we extract our water use for domestic consumption such as drinking, bathing, cleaning, and washing.
The dumpsite has been subject of numerous complaints mostly from the local residents of Suntrust Ecotown Subdivision and nearby areas. We hope that this operation may give serenity to the local residents who suffered from ill effects of illegal act of open dumping. ###
The DENR provincial office has launched a program thru contest aim to strengthen the Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management and encourage residents to engage into urban gardening.
From January 12-14, 2021, the DENR PENRO Rizal through its Manila Bay Site Coordinating Management Office conducted the pre-judging of the Search for Best Ecological Garden and Solid Waste Management Practice in Urban Barangays in the Province of Rizal.
They were joined by the official judges namely: For. Cynthia N. Rozaldo – Deputy Site Manager of MBCO-SMO4, Ms. Ann Hazel D. Javier – OIC, Regional Strategic Communications and Initiatives Group, Ms. Josefina Pudiquet – Environmental Management Bureau, Mr. Mario Cayetano – Rizal Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Mr. Rodel Dela Cruz – Head, YES to Green Program, Engr. Pocholo Raymundo – Provincial Agriculturist’s Office, Mr. Martee Dela Cruz – Regional Agriculturist’s Office, Engr. Marlon F. Pielago – MENRO Teresa Rizal and For. Isidro L. Mercado, Ph.D – Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer represented by Engr. Marilyn B. Paunil – Focal Person, MBSCMO Rizal.
The 3-day activity proved that creativity is innate quality of Filipinos as plastic wastes were turned into colorful and innovative eco-planters, other ornaments and even bricks, discarded tires into sturdy chairs and tables and PET bottles into small barrel garden.
The judges and the team from DENR PENRO Rizal were welcomed by the whole barangay unit with the Barangay Chairpersons taking in-charge of showing and telling the judges the story behind the establishment of their gardens. They were in-turn asked about the solid waste management practices being implemented in the community.
From the lively ornamental plants, vigorous vegetable plants, colorful eco-planters up to the technology they used in gardening such us hydroponics and small barrel garden, the ecological garden were a sight to behold.
The urban barangays were challenged more on the implementation of RA 9003 to improve solid waste management and ensure the sustainability of the gardens.
It is exciting to see the developments they can still make before the final judging which will take place on April, 2021.
CENR Officer Lupo T. Telan led the celebration of this year’s World Bamboo Day in CENRO Real, Quezon with the theme : “Pamanang Kawayan: Luntiang Gintong Kagubatan.
A total of two hundred (200) pieces of bamboo culms were planted by CENRO Real personnel in the 275-hectare established forest park and arboretum site in Barangay Maragondon Real, Quezon. This project, which is an initiative of CENRO Real, Quezon shall also be made into a bamboosetum. An arboretum is a place where trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants are grown in order to be studied or seen by the public. The idea of introducing a “bamboosetum” is to plant all the species of bamboos within the area of the arboretum.
The bamboo planting activity started with an information, education and communication campaign (IEC) to promote awareness on the importance of planting bamboo. CENRO Telan highlighted the potential of bamboo as a fast growing species with its ability to stabilize soils against erosion. It also emphasized the advocacy of DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu to rehabilitate degraded forestlands using bamboos. Bamboo is now considered globally as one of the most vital resources in mitigating climate change.
Safety measures in conducting this activity such as wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing were strictly followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
