In celebration of the annual World Wetlands Day (WWD) every 2nd day of February with the theme “Wetlands and Water”, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Oroquieta City (CENRO-Oroquieta City) joined the simultaneous worldwide awareness on the importance of wetlands, and commemoration of the signing of the Ramsar Convention of Wetlands on the shores of Caspian Sea in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971. The said activity was conducted at Barangay Taboc Norte, Oroquieta City on February 2, 2021.

Technical staffs from the Conservation and Development Section (CDS) of CENRO-Oroquieta City spearheaded the conduct of Communication Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) to residents and Barangay Officials of Barangay Taboc Norte.

Environmental Management Specialist II Lamberto C. Tumanda, the Chief of the CDS presented the background of the World Wetlands Day celebration and conveyed information to the audience on the significance of wetlands to all living creatures. He also informed the audience the importance of Philippine wetlands to more than 50 million migratory birds that passed in the Philippines yearly by the East Asian Australasian flyaway, one of the world’s biggest migratory flight paths as recorded by the DENR.

On the other hand, Forester I Mary Jean L. Uba, the designated Information Officer of CENRO Oroquieta City discussed and categorized the characteristics of wetlands and defined its features and capacity to clean water, recharge water supplies, reduce flood risks, and habitat to all forms of wildlife. In addition, wetlands also provide recreational spots, camping sites, and commercial fishery benefits, she added.

A total of 96 residents consisting of Barangay Officials, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) personnel, barangay health workers, senior citizens and community settlers from the said barangay attended the CEPA during the WWD 2021 celebration. #TayoAngKalikasan (RSCIG PR No. 02-047-2021)

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Category: Press Releases

Published: 20 February 2021

Cagayan de Oro City. DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement for Mindanao and Indigenous Peoples Concerns Conrado E. Laza told field officials and personnel of Northern Mindanao to be pro-active rather than reactive in enforcing environment and natural resources (ENR) laws during an interfacing on February 9, 2021 at the regional office here.

USEC Laza instructed the regional officials to strengthen intelligence connection to become pro-active in the enforcement of ENR laws. He further encouraged the regional officials to “put more teeth on anti-illegal logging campaign so that we will be more effective.”

He also emphasized that personnel should work in concurrence to the mandate of the Department to protect the environment and conserve the natural resources.

He disclosed that his marching order from DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu is to visit far-flung offices in the discharge of his duties and responsibilities as Undersecretary for Enforcement for Mindanao and Indigenous Peoples Concerns. His office will convey the concerns/problems of the offices he visited to the management.

DENR X Regional Executive Director Arleigh J. Adorable presented the regional profile, accomplishment of the Office in CY 2020 and the targets for this year. He said despite the pandemic the region garnered a total average of 170% accomplishment of the targets last year.

Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Management Services Felix S. Mirasol, Jr. gave the welcome remarks during the program wherein he highlighted the unique features of Northern Mindanao while ARD for Technical Services Aldrich S. Resma presented the regional situationer in the enforcement of ENR laws, rules and reguulations. Issues and concerns were also presented to USEC Laza.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau X Regional Director Efren B. Carido shared the CY 2020 Accomplishment and 2021 Plans and Programs during the interfacing with USEC Laza. He said the plans and programs of the MGB X also contribute to the economic recovery of the country.

Environmental Management Bureau X OIC, Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo presented the CY 2020 Accomplishment and targets for the year particularly on Clean Air, Clean Water and Solid Waste Management.

Prior to his visit to the regional office, USEC Laza visited the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Bukidnon in Malaybalay City where he encouraged personnel to be zealous in the pursuit of the DENR mandate. Likewise, he also visited the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Iligan City, PENRO Lanao del Norte in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, PENRO Misamis Oriental and CENRO Gingoog City to discuss enforcement of ENR laws and IP concerns. (RSCIG # 02-043-2021) #TayoAngKalikasan

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Published: 16 February 2021

Cagayan de Oro City. The Office of the DENR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations-Mindanao and Legislative Affairs Joan A. Lagunda recently conducted visits to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte on January 13-15, 2021.

The official visit was aimed to meet with DENR Field employees and at the same time conduct ocular inspection to some existing DENR-CENRO Monitoring Station/Checkpoints in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

It is also intended to introduce to both Offices the services of the Environmental Crime Division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to the Department, particularly in the enforcement and filing of cases to all environmental violators.

In her visit to CENRO Talakag and PENR Office of Bukidnon in Malaybalay City. ASec Lagunda was welcomed by OIC PENR Officer Vergilino P. Alima along with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers namely, CENR Officer Felicisimo C. Escuadro of CENRO Valencia City, OIC, CENR Officer Virgilio N. Batocail of CENRO Don Carlos, OIC, CENR Officer Arnulfo T. Osio of CENRO Talakag and OIC, CENR Officer Morito B. Estifano of CENRO Manolo Fortich.

ASec Lagunda lauded PENRO Officials and employees for the effort in attaining over and above their usual targets and accomplishments. She also recognized PENRO Bukidnon for being a “Good Performing” Office and encourage personnel to help one another to maintain the good status of the Office.

She also instructed PENRO and CENRO Officials to consult and get the concerns of the local chief executives and legislators in their respective areas and refer to them the importance of the passing of DENR priority bills specifically, the Sustainable Forest Manage (SFM) Act, Environmental Protection and Enforcement Bureau (EPEB) Act, Revised Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, and the Boracay Island Development Authority.

Moreover in Lanao del Norte, ASec Lagunda visited CENRO Iligan City, CENRO Kolambugan and PENR Office of Lanao del Norte in the municipality of Tubod, LDN. She was welcomed by PENRO Lanao del Norte Mamacaya M. Lucman and CENRO Iligan City OIC, CENR Officer Raof O. Abdullah.

In her acquintance with PENRO and CENRO Iligan City Officials and employees, she briefly discussed roles and functions of the Legislative Affairs in the approval of all DENR Priority Bills. She also commended PENRO-Lanao del Norte Officials and employees for the well-ordered placement of their office and the wearing prescribe office uniforms of its employees.

ASec Lagunda being the former Assistant Secretary for Administration and Human Resources is very much particular in office improvements and proper wearing of uniforms. She also reminded PENRO and CENRO officials to repaint office buildings following the agreed and required color (Blue and Green) in the recently concluded DENR Mindanao Cluster Command Conference Cum Strategic Planning held last January 11-13, 2021.

Lastly, ASec Lagunda paid a courtesy visit to Iligan City Lone District Representative Hon. Congressman Frederick W. Siao. ASec Lagunda thanked the good Congressman for the all-out support to the Department’s Priority Bills which is already lobbied in the Lower House. Cong. Siao, on the otherhand expressed his gratitude to the DENR for the accommodation and immediate action and response on the concerns of his constituents in Iligan City. He hoped that the partnership between the DENR and his Office will remain strong in the futures to come.

Throughout the said visita tion of DENR Field Offices in Northern Mindanao, ASec Lagunda introduced Atty. Marvin R. Matamis of the Environmental Crime Division of the NBI to PENROs and CENROs. Atty. Matamis discussed issues and concerns that the NBI can be of help in the implementation of ENR laws to include the filing of cases to violators. He also encouraged PENROs and CENROs to contact the Bureau whenever it needs assistance during operations. (#TayoAngKalikasan RSCIG # 01-025-2021)

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Published: 28 January 2021

To have a clear direction and strategize the attainment of targets for CY 2021, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Office of the Assistant Secretary (ASec) for Field Operations- Mindanao and Legislative Affairs conducted the 1st DENR Mindanao Command Conference Cum Strategic Planning on January 11-13, 2021 in Cagayan de Oro City.

Spearheaded by ASec Joan A. Lagunda, the conference was attended by DENR Mindanao Regional Executive Directors, Regional Directors of the Environmental Management Bureau and Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau, and Assistant Regional Directors for Management and Technical Services.

In her message, ASec Lagunda emphasized the need to come up with strategies to improve the system and further improve the delivery of service to the public. She encouraged the participants to have within their hearts the DENR Core Values of Discipline, Excellence, Nobility and Responsibility which could be seen in simple things as wearing of uniform and Identification Card.

In his opening message, Regional Executive Director Arleigh J. Adorable welcomed ASec Lagunda and the participants of the activity. He emphasized the importance to protect the mountains of Bukidnon. He said that the Northern Mindanao is where the headwaters of the most major river basins springs. “The mountains of Bukidnon are the headwater going down to Cagayan de Oro City River Basin, Tagoloan River Basin, Davao River Basin and Cotabato River Basin,” he said.

ASec Lagunda conducted a mini-workshop to identify focus for the year. She also invited a team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Environmental Crime Division to discuss joint operations in the enforcement of ENR laws, rules and regulations by DENR offices and their Bureau. Notable cases in the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws were thoroughly discussed during the command conference.

The Mindanao Regional Executive Directors and Regional Directors of Environmental Management Bureau and Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau also presented their plans and programs and issues and concerns for 2021 and prepared 5-minute video presentation on the innovations made in their respective jurisdictions before the presentation of the CY 2021 targets.

To motivate and recognize the performance of Mindanao officials and personnel, ASec Lagunda is set to award this year the Star Region, Star Regional Executive Director and Star Regional Director of EMB and MGB.

She also interfaced with personnel of CENRO-Talakag, Bukidnon, PENRO Bukidnon, CENRO Iligan City, PENRO Lanao del Norte and CENRO Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. Issues and concerns of the field office personnel were discussed during the said activity. #TayoAngKalikasan RSICG – 01-009-2021

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Published: 27 January 2021

To competently evaluate target performance and accomplishments of the field offices for FY 2020, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region X conducted a virtual 4th Quarter Management Conference (ManCon) on December 9, 2020.

The 4th Quarter ManCon which was conducted virtually was graced by newly installed DENR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations-Mindanao and Legislative Affairs Joan A. Lagunda. ASEC Lagunda prior to her present designation is the OIC, Assistant Secretary for Administration and Human Resources at the central office.

ASEC Lagunda lauded DENR X officials headed by Regional Executive Director Arleigh J. Adorable, Environmental Management Bureau X Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo and Mines and Geosciences Bureau X Regional Director Efren B. Carido for the great job and good leadership for coming up with the best report during the DENR Year-end Assessment report.

She also thanked and acknowledged the efforts of Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Aldrich Resma and Assistant Regional Director for Management Felix S. Mirasol, Jr. and the different Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENROs and CENROs) along with their respective personnel for the cooperation and teamwork in accomplishing its targets.

ASEC Lagunda in her message quoted as saying, “You truly shown, that we are one, we really work as one, that is why we win as one, show to them and lead the way for them in doing.” She further said, “Do not be contented on the good performance, there are still more things to improve for 2021, maintain the standard and strive to be No. 1 region in 2021”, she added.

According to her during the presentation of the physical and financial performance of the DENR Mindanao team’s priority program, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones was very much impressed on the report particularly the documentation of targets and how it was comprehensively made.

ASEC Lagunda also took the opportunity to instruct PENROs and CENROs to submit the list of Forest Protection Officers with their respective assignments per CENRO. She also requested to submit the list of checkpoints along with its strategic location, the list of hotspot areas and indicate whether the checkpoint is still active or not.

Furthermore, RED Adorable thanked ASEC Lagunda for gracing the 4th Quarter ManCon. He reiterated ASEC Lagunda’s instruction to PENROs and CENROs to reassess all the Anti-illegal Logging Task Force (AILTF) checkpoints and determine its final number based on strategic importance and location, security considerations, and the presence and cooperation of other AILTF members.

He also mentioned the holding of the Mindanao Command Conference and Strategic Planning Workshop which will be on January 10-13, 2021 here in Cagayan de Oro City.

The activity will be participated in by all DENR-Mindanao REDs, RDs and ARDs and other regional Officials.

On the other hand, RED Adorable expressed his concerns on the increase number of COVID-19 infection in the City. He assured that the regional and field offices are implementing the basic safety health protocol and precautionary measures to control the spread of the virus. #TayoAngKalikasan (RPAO MR No. 12-308-2020)

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Published: 15 December 2020