Press Releases

DENR 10 HOSTS 5TH MINDANAO PAMB NETWORK CONFERENCE

To effectively manage the biodiversity conservation in Mindanao and its protected areas (PAs), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducts the 5th Mindanao Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Network Conference hosted by DENR Region 10 on February 8-9, 2023 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The PAMB network is a collaboration among stakeholders and partners that promotes biodiversity conservation in Mindanao PAs. It was organized in 2015 as an avenue where Mindanao PAMBs can share their experiences, lessons learned, practices, partnership approaches, among others.
“We need to achieve balance with the diverse and conflicting interests to manage the protected areas effectively and to achieve sustainable development for all,” says Assistant Secretary (ASec) for Policy, Planning and Foreign Assisted and Special Projects and concurrent Biodiversity Management Bureau Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr.

ASec Amaro added that the Mindanao PAMB Network is an opportunity to converge and harmonize especially with the directive of DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga in the harmonization of forest land use plans, collaborative land management of common pool resources and Alternative Dispute Resolutions.

“Effectively managed protected area is vital in safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem balance, building resilience through impacts of climate change and conserving natural resources,” said ASec Arleigh J. Adorable, OIC, Asst. Secretary for Field Operations-Western Mindanao and Concurrent Forest Management Bureau Director.

DENR 10 Regional Executive Director Henry A. Adornado said that the Mindanao PAMB Network is trying to expand its network to other areas such as Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other areas. RED Adornado added that this will allow the DENR to have a complete network here in Mindanao.

Principal Advisor Responsible Land Governance in Mindanao-GIZ Erlinda Dolatre said that land matters for biodiversity, culture, and peace. She said that they are interested to be updated with the PAMB journey and to share their learning and experience with the harmonization of protected area management plan with the other land use plans.

The activity included updates from the REDs/representatives, discussion of Salient Provision of IPRA Law, Integrated Approach in Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines Project: Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor and Free Prior and Informed Consent Process, Harmonization of Protected Area Management Plan with other Land Use Plans, Collaborative Land Management, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. A PAMB meeting was also conducted during the event.

The network’s membership includes all Mindanao PAMBs in 38 out of 46 PAs in regions 9,10, 11, 12 and 13. The network envisions sustaining biodiversity resources and managing the PAs in Mindanao based on culture and science. It supports the sustained biodiversity conservation of over 1,323,461 hectares of PAs in Mindanao that will benefit the present and future generations.

A total of 263 PAMB members from Regions 9,10,11,12 and 13 attended the event. The 5th PAMB Network Conference is in partnership with Bukidnon State University, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and sponsored by Responsible Land Governance in Mindanao Project of Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. (#TayoAngKalikasan RSCIG No. 02-025-2023)

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SUCCESSFUL CAPTIVE BREEDING OF MINDANAO BLEEDING HEART PIGEON IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

Wildlife conservation effort of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 10 (DENR 10) gets a boost with the successful captive breeding of a Mindanao Bleeding Heart Pigeon (Gallicolomba crinigera) on December 27, 2022 in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.   

A vulnerable species and endemic to the Philippines, the Mindanao Bleeding Heart Pigeon (MBHP) with its parents is being cared for by Dr. Miguel David L. De Leon, a conservationist and Director of Return Flights Raptor Facility (RFRF)  and Robert S. Kennedy Bird Conservancy.   He reported the significant endeavor to DENR 10 Regional Executive Director Henry A. Adornado who sent a team to monitor and document the accomplishment.  

RED Adornado is thankful to Dr. De Leon for the partnership on wildlife conservation.  He congratulates him for his initiatives in rehabilitating the two adult MBHP and the birth of a chick at the RFRF Holding and Captive Breeding Facility located near DENR’s Malasag Reforestation Project in Barangay Cugman.  

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed by the then Regional Executive Director, now Assistant Secretary for Field Operations - Eastern Mindanao, Ruth M. Tawantawan and Dr. De Leon on the Philippine Raptors Conservation Program way back July 1, 2014.   He is authorized by DENR 10 to take temporary custody and care of injured wildlife, particularly raptors, from the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center.  He also extends medical assistance in rehabilitating injured raptors before releasing them back to their natural habitat and assist the DENR 10 in the release of rehabilitated raptors. 

Dr. De Leon said the two MBHP of unknown gender at the RFRF were turned over by trappers four years ago.  They were treated for noose injuries on the legs and upon recovery, they were placed in a large enclosure mimicking its natural habitat. The MBHP feeds on the forest floor and is caught in noose traps set out for various species of Rail (tikling) and Red Jungle Fowl, he added.   He further disclosed that last November 2022, the pair built a nest in the DENR-accredited facility and on December 27, 2022 hatched an egg.    Dr. Miguel David L. de Leon is an eye surgeon and field biologist from Cagayan de Oro City.  In 2020 he discovered and presented a new orchid species, Aerides upcmae which was named after his alma mater, the UP College of Medicine. (Report courtesy of Dr. Miguel David L. De Leon) RSCIG No. 01-006-2023 #TayoAngKalikasan

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DENR 10 GAINS MORE PARTNERS, RECOGNIZED FOR INITIATIVES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Working with various partners and recognition for initiatives on sustainable development capped the accomplishment of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 10 (DENR 10) in CY 2022.
Under the leadership of Regional Executive Director (RED) Henry A. Adornado, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 10 (DENR 10) collaborated with stakeholders on different initiatives in the protection, conservation and management of our environment and natural resources.
RED Adornado thanked all partners and stakeholders for supporting the mandate of the Department, guided by the core values of Discipline, Excellence, Nobility and Responsibility.
He disclosed that the DENR 10 signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education – Oroquieta City on Project POGI, “Project Plastic-off and Greening Initiative.” 
The objective of Project POGI is to address the pressing problem on Ecological Solid Waste Management.  It promotes environmental awareness, resource conservation and teaches character formation through behavioral change of students of all public schools in Oroquieta City. 
The project is an innovation of DepEd Oroquieta City and DENR through the initiative of Schools Division Superintendent  Reynaldo Manuel, Jr., PhD and Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Officer Thomas L. Cardente II.
On land management, the DENR 10 inked  Memorandum of Partnership Agreement or MOPA with the  Local Government Unit (LGU) of  Talakag, Bukidnon on September 7, 2022,  LGU Plaridel on September 23, 2022 and LGU Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental on September 23, 2022.  
The partnership is on the efficient land-service to the people pursuant to the Department Administrative Order No. 2022 – 06, “Prescribing the Guidelines  for the Implementation of Public Land Titling in Partnership with the LGUs.” The DENR will capacitate the LGU on land management through deputation of its personnel as Land Inspector.  The partnership will help increase the revenue thru tax collected by the Municipal/City 
Assessor.  
Another MOPA was signed by DENR 10 with Sanjii Steel Corporation and Malasag Multipurpose Cooperative on the planting of indigenous seedlings within the Enhanced National Greening site in Sitio Malasag, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City, he added.
A Memorandum of Agreement also was inked on September 23, 2022 between DENR 10 and Central Philippine University for a 3-year Research Project titled, Pest and Disease Incidence of Falcata (Falcataria moluccana) Plantations in Mindanao, funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development, a Council of the Department of Science and Technology.
On the titling of lands, some 104 beneficiaries of the Handog Titulo Program of DENR received land patents at Provincial Farmers Cultural and Training Center, Capitol Compound, Lower Lamac, Oroquieta City on October 13, 2022.  The total area is 22.8067 hectares consisting of 18.999 hectares for Special Patent (school sites), 1.7817 for Residential Free Patent and 2.0255 hectares for Free Patent (Agricultural).
The event was conducted by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Misamis Occidental in coordination with the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental  headed by Governor Henry S. Oaminal.
Aside from the partnership and collaboration with entities from the public and private sectors, the region reaped  awards in CY 2022 for various initiatives. Region 10 is a recipient of the prestigious 2021 RIVERs for Life Awards (Recognizing Individuals/Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhance Rivers) for Panlibatuhan River located in Valencia City.  Regular community clean-ups and proper solid waste management were undertaken by the LGU of Valencia City.
The award aims to raise awareness of the need to protect and conserve the rivers of the country and it was given during the DENR Anniversary on June 10, 2022. CENR Officer Felicisimo T. Escuadro of CENR Valencia received the plaque during the DENR Anniversary on June 10, 2022.  The Office received cash prize of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100,000).  The cash prize was donated to the local government unit of Valencia City under Mayor Azucena P. Huervas.  
Another award received was on Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, and Climate Change Awards – Mga Kwentong Klimakasan Recognition Awards – Group Category for Bayawan Lucday Lungayan Pendonay Tandacol Tribal Association, Inc. in Bukidnon.  The CENR Office of Valencia nominated its partner tribal association based in Sitio Tandacol, Barangay Lilingayon, Valencia City.
For exemplary performance as Pool of ADR Officers, contribution and commitment in the institutionalization of ADR in the Department,  DENR  10 was bestowed the Best Pool of Adjudication Dispute Resolution Award for CY 2022.
The DENR 10 also garnered as the Top 2 Performer of Lands Activities for CY 2021 sponsored by the DENR – Land Management Bureau. (With report from PENROs/CENROs) #TayoAngKalikasan RSCIG #01-002-2023
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DENR X TO IMPLEMENT WEB-BASED RIVER BASIN INTEGRATED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

To effectively organize timely, reliable and cost-effective data for environmental management, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region X will implement Web-Based River Basin Integrated Information Management System (RBIIMS).  
A training-workshop was conducted on December 6 to 7, 2022 in Cagayan de Oro City to capacitate the selected DENR X Regional Office and field personnel composed of Information Systems Analysts, Conservation Section Chiefs and Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists in the implementation of the RBIIMS.  
DENR X Regional Executive Director Henry A. Adornado said that the RBIIMS is very important and must be implemented well specially to help address scarcity of water in the near future. He added that through the generated information, it will help the stakeholders and decision-makers to formulate development strategies to address problems in water management.  
The activity aimed to introduce the RBIIMS to the participants including its structure, functionalities and requirements and how to collate, standardize and encode the data into the system. They were also oriented on how to maintain the system including its quality control and security. The jurisdiction of the RBIIMS include Cagayan de Oro River Basin, Tagoloan River Basin, and Cluster 8 River Basin. 
The RBIIMS is a relational environmental database that contains sets of data for environmental management. The system is one of the decision-making tools created by Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia for coastal, marine and river basin management. It will provide information to managers, decision-makers, planners and other stakeholders in a unified and acceptable format. 
Through the implementation of the RBIIMS, it will ensure the complementation of strategies and facilitate collaborative support among stakeholders in data gathering and population to maintain the credibility of the system. #TayoAngKalikasan RSCIG # 12-367-2022
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DENR X HOSTS 3RD TRI-BOUNDARY MEETING WITH DENR REGIONS XI AND XIII

ENR Assistant Secretary (ASEC) for Field Operations-Eastern Mindanao Ruth M. Tawantawan (upper left photo) and ASEC for Field Operations-Western Mindanao Arleigh J. Adorable (upper right photo) acknowledged the initiatives and innovations made by DENR Region X (Northern Mindanao), Region XI (Davao Region) and Region XIII (CARAGA Region) particularly the establishment of joint monitoring stations in their respective boundaries that reduced the illegal transport of undocumented forest products and other natural resources to include the illegal trade of wildlife.

DENR Northern Mindanao Regional Executive Director (RED) Henry A. Adornado (2nd line, middle photo) hosted the 3rd Tri-boundary Meeting on October 27, 2022 in Cagayan de Oro City.
Other officials present during the tri-boundary meeting were DENR CARAGA RED Nonito Tamayo, DENR Davao Region RED Bagani Fidel A. Evasco was represented by Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Victor T. Billones and DENR-Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS) Director, Ret. Gen. Reuel N. Sorilla PA represented by Col. Honorio M. Abenojar PA (Ret). Also present were the Assistant Regional Directors for Technical Services and Management Services of the three DENR regional offices.

The tri-boundary meeting was aimed to strengthen the communication and coordination between regional offices involved in the forest protection and law enforcement efforts with the help of the local government units, other national government agencies particularly the Philippine National Police and PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Philippine Army. (RSCIG PR No. 11-340-2022) #TayoAngKalikasan

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