Press Releases

With the theme “New Normal Challenge: Sustainable Actions for a Sustainable Future,” the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region X leads the celebration of November as National Environmental Awareness Month and National Clean Air Month in the region.

DENR X Regional Executive Director Arleigh J. Adorable encourages all stakeholders to contribute in the sustainable development effort for our natural resources. He stressed that caring for the environment is not the sole responsibility of DENR and each individual must do his/her share to care for our environment.

The DENR X will also be celebrating the National Climate Change Consciousness Week on November 19 – 25. He said the triple celebrations aim to further create awareness and participation on sustainable development through the conduct of an Environmental Art Contest, Environmental Symposium, turn-over of school supplies and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to Agay-ayan Elementary School in Gingoog City and other public information and advocacy activities.

The DENR X is inviting grades 10 to 12 students to join the Environmental Art Contest. It aims to increase the level of knowledge of the youth on the various environmental issues and concerns and to showcase the environmental actions of the youth in protecting and conserving the environment and mitigating climate change. The artwork must revolve around the 2020 theme of the celebrations. The criteria for judging include interpretation and relevance to the theme – 40%, creativity and originality – 30%, popularity – 20% and craftmanship – 10%.

The Environmental Symposium to be attended by selected contractual personnel is slated to be held on November 20 at the DENR X Conference Room. Topics to be discussed are Climate Change and Solid Waste Management with resource speakers from the Environmental Management Bureau, Region X. Protocols on COVID-19 will be strictly observed by the participants during the Environmental Symposium like social distancing, wearing of face masks and face shields, among others.

The DENR X Youth Desk is set to hold a turn-over of school supplies and IEC materials during the celebration of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week on November 19 – 25. (RPAO # 11-285-2020 #TayoAngKalikasan)

In order to promote the DENR’s initiative to develop sustainable bamboo plantations as well as to raise awareness on the potentials of bamboo for poverty alleviation, economic development, and environmental greening, DENR X participated in the nationwide simultaneous bamboo planting activity organized by the DENR Forest Management Bureau and in partnership with the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council on September 18, 2020. This is in line with the celebration of World Bamboo Day with the theme “Pamanang Kawayan: Luntiang Ginto ng Kabataan.”

The said bamboo planting activity was held at Mapawa, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City and participated in by selected personnel from DENR X regional office and PENRO Misamis Oriental together with the beneficiaries and staff of E. Pelaez Ranch.

In his inspirational message during the opening program, DENR X PENR Officer of Misamis Oriental, Ferdinand E. Dagulo, emphasized the potentials of bamboo for greening the environment, sequestering carbon, providing source of income and also for food consumption.

Lawyer Xandra Yzabelle T. Ebdalin-Bacus, OIC Chief of the Technical Services Division of DENR X PENRO of Misamis Oriental, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the history of the celebration with some bamboo facts and trivia.

The activity was made possible through the assistance of staffs and beneficiaries of E. Pelaez Ranch who did the hole digging, staking and hauling of planting stocks prior to the day of planting. The participants actively planted a total of 200 bamboos in 1-hectare plantation with 10mx10m spacing.

Bamboo is a major producer and absorber of oxygen and carbon dioxide. It produces more than 35% of oxygen than hardwood trees, and absorbs up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare in a single year. With its increasing popularity and endless uses such as in building houses, roads and bridges, furniture, medicine, clothes, accessories and food, among others, bamboo is also considered as a key solution for poverty alleviation. Thus, it is tagged as the “green gold in the forest” and this planting activity paved the way for further protection and conservation of our nature for a sustainable future.

DENR X National Greening Program (NGP) Regional Coordinator, Forester Robinson W. Abrahan, shared to the participants the DENR’s initiative in developing bamboo plantations across the country through the NGP. The activity was concluded with an oath titled, “Pamanang Kawayan.” (With report from the Conservation and Development Division of DENR X.) #TayoAngKalikasan RPAO MR No. 09-271-2020

Cagayan de Oro City- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region X through the Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) conducted an Environmental Symposium (New Normal) with the Barangay Local Government Unit of Balubal and People’s Organization of Balubal Integrated Social Forestry Farmers Association (PO-BISFFA) on September 11, 2020 in Barangay Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City.

Barangay Balubal Chairman Pablo M. Bactong expressed his appreciation to the DENR for holding the Environmental Symposium (New Normal) and for the formation of a new Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) chapter with the Barangay Local Government Unit of Balubal despite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairman Bactong in his message elaborated the essence of the IEC campaign in the conservation and preservation of the environment and stressed-out the importance of environment and nature in our lives and that as human being with the highest intellectual capacity, it is our moral duty and responsibility to take good care of our remaining forest and its biodiversity.

City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), Forest Management Section, Chief Elizabeth C. Sumabong represented CLENR Officer Armen A. Cuenca during the Environmental Symposium (New Normal).

Sumabong reminded participants to love nature and the environment and underscored that preserving the environment is not just the sole responsibility of the DENR neither of CLENRO but it is everyone's responsibility, she added. She also mentioned the recognitions that Barangay Balubal has received that earned the trust of the local as well as the national government, including the DENR, in the implementation of various environmental projects and programs.

A TAK chapter formation immediately followed after the topic discussions, wherein the Barangay Local Government Unit of Balubal Officials took their TAK Pledge of Commitment and signing of TAK Covenant of Membership and TAK Pledge Wall signing.

Topics discussed during the Symposium include the DENR Priority Programs, Solid Waste Management, Climate Change and Tayo Ang Kalikasan updates. #TayoAngKalikasan
(RPAO MR No. 09-263-2020)

To further strengthen partnership between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its stakeholders, a chapter formation on Tayo Ang Kaliksan (TAK) movement was initiated with the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Mahayag, Quezon, Bukidnon and a Community Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) on Solid Waste Management (SWM) for the rehabilitation of Manuto River of Quezon, Bukidnon in support to the newly formed TAK chapter on September 7, 2020.

CENRO-Don Carlos, OIC CENR Officer Virgilio N. Batocail in his opening statement thanked the BLGU’s support to CENRO Don Carlos particularly on TAK activities. He emphasized the role of the BLGU and the importance of taking care of the rivers particularly the conservation and protection of Manuto River which will be the extent of the Tayo Ang Kalikasan activities took place.

CENRO-Don Carlos TAK Focal Person Zaldy S. Caballes conducted a brief orientation and discussed its organizational structure and background as Citizens Movement program of the Department.

A signing of TAK Covenant of Membership was facilitated by Forester Harvey L. Noblefranca TAK Alternate Focal Person with the BLGU Mahayag Council representing Barangay Chairperson Editha S. Malabosa.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between DENR, CENRO-Don Carlos, the LGU of Quezon and the BLGU of Mahayag during the event.

Signatories of the said MOU will share responsibility in the management and improvement of the water quality of the Manuto River.

Moreover, the BLGU of Libertad, Quezon, Bukidnon also pledged support to Tayo Ang Kalikasan movement.

CENRO-Don Carlos personnel conducted a Community Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) campaign to orient members of the newly organized TAK chapter on their roles and responsibilities.

Forester Roy Aguanta and Environmental Monitoring Officer Anatolio Abellanosa discussed topics on Republic Act 9003 series of 2001 (Ecological Solid Waste Management), Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Laws which include PD 705 (Forestry Code of the Philippines) and RA 9175 (Chainsaw Act of 2002).

CENRO-Don Carlos TAK Focal Person Zaldy Caballes also discussed the updated programs and projects of the DENR such as the Enhanced National Greening Program, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programs and the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project under CENRO-Don Carlos.

A signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and TAK Covenant of Membership, and recitation of the TAK Pledge of Commitment concluded the activity. #TayoAngKalikasan (With reports from CENRO-Don Carlos TAK Alternate Focal Person Harvey L. Noblefranca) #TayoAngKalikasan (RPAO MR No. 09-264-2020)

More than 40 lumad elementary students from the Emel Ne Sebsebanen Te Sabang - Indigenous People School (Matigsalog Community) in Sitio Sabang Sita, Barangay Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon were recipients of an outreach program spearheaded by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Don Carlos Bukidnon recently.

With partners from Tribu Laaw Organization, Vita-lize Distributions, Inc. and other generous individuals, personnel of CENRO, Don Carlos, Bukidnon donated school supplies, facemasks, alcohol, clothes and assorted goods to students of the Emel Ne Sebsebanen Te Sabang – Indigenous People (IP) School (Matigsalog Community).

In his report to the OIC, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Bukidnon Vergilino P. Alima, OIC, Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Officer of Don Carlos Virgilio N. Batocail disclosed that his Office conducted the Outreach Program in response to the Emel Ne Sebsebanen Te Sabang – IP School (Matigsalog Community) call for donations to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OIC, CENRO Batocail reported that students and school officials with personnel of CENRO Don Carlos, officials of Tribu Laaw Organization and Vita-lize Distributions Inc. participated in a short program at the school campus. He is thankful to Tribu Laaw Organization, Vita-lize Distributions Inc. and other generous individuals for joining the outreach program.

The distribution of donations followed after the short program. (Forester Harvey L. Nobrefranca) #TayoAngKalikasan (RPAO No. 09-255-2020)

Wildalert