To properly disseminate information on the forthcoming expiration of Republic Act No. 9176 (Agricultural Free Patent Titling) application on December 31, 2020, the DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Camiguin update and distribute notices to Local Government Units and other concerned government Offices within the province on July 23-27, 2020.
The DENR-PENRO Camiguin personnel through the supervision of PENR Officer Merlyn O. Dumalahay toured around the municipalities in the province to distribute information materials, posters and tarpaulins regarding the Agricultural Free Patent Titling expiry come December 31, 2020.
PENRO Dumalahay calls on concerned parties to take advantage of the allocated time to process their free patent applications through the DENR Land Inspector or personally visit the DENR-PENR Office located in Poblacion Mambajao. She also reiterated that processing and filing of Agricultural Free Patent Applications will no longer be accepted after the deadline unless a new law is passed extending the Republic Act No. 9176, Dumalahay added. (Report and photos courtesy from PENRO Camiguin) #TayoAngKalikasan (RPAO MR No. 08-233-2020)
The implementation of Expanded National Greening Program (ENGP) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region X (DENR X) has thrived its way during the first half of CY 2020 amidst the continuing threat poses by coronavirus disease.
DENR X ENGP has produced a total of 5,528,635 seedlings or equivalent to 101% of its regular target of 5,451,175 seedlings. Among the commodities produced are timber (4,958,276), bamboo (226,180), fruit trees (5,000), coffee (25,000), cacao (103,750), indigenous species (122,825) and rattan (12,500).
Under the maintenance and protection of existing ENGP plantations from CY 2018 and 2019, DENR X has maintained and protected 100% of its total target of 8,852 hectares and attained a minimum survival rate of 85% up to the end of second quarter of the current year.
With regard to plantation establishment, DENR X has established a total of 1,192 hectares with 1,627,685 seedlings planted on it and covered by 131 Memorandum of Agreements for Comprehensive Site Development contracted to Peoples’ Organizations (POs).
The ENGP established plantations this year are distributed in the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) of DENR X. Except for the PENRO of Camiguin which only targets the maintenance and protection of its existing ENGP plantations, the PENRO of Bukidnon has the largest target area of 3,086 hectares, followed by that of PENROs of Misamis Oriental (880.5 ha), Lanao del Norte (500 ha) and Misamis Occidental (46.5 ha), respectively.
Another highlight of this mid-year’s accomplishment is the income generation from ENGP established plantations with a total of Php1,832,064.20 covering the first to second quarter of CY 2020. Under the same period, some ENGP-POs have generated additional gross income of Php130,352.00 from their NGP-Livelihood Enterprise Development Projects that were implemented last CY 2017 and 2018. Moreover, since the beginning of this year, a total of 53.25 kilograms of seeds were already collected from the identified Individual Plus Trees in the region, while the Clonal Nursery situated in Sumpong, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon has produced a total of 7,263 cloned seedlings of various species.
Despite the restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, DENR X has undertaken strategic measures in order to satisfactorily accomplish its targets under ENGP. #TayoAngKalikasan RPAO MR No. 08-218-2020
In order to address the confusion with regard to the duties and responsibilities of the newly hired legal assistants at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region X field offices as well as to capacitate them on the existing DENR Administrative Orders that are indispensable to their line of work, a training/workshop on Environment and Natural Resources Laws and Procedures was conducted by DENR X Legal Division on July 3, 2020 in Cagayan de Oro City.
The activity was formally opened by DENR X Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Management Services Felix S. Mirasol, Jr. who expressed his appreciation to the DENR X Legal Division for organizing such activity which capacitates the agency’s field employees. Furthermore, he conveyed his high hope that the training/workshop will enable the newly hired legal assistants to better assist the DENR X Field Officials in analyzing the situations on the ground as well as in the decision-making aspect in relation to the standing policy, rules and regulations of the DENR.
Topics discussed were the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 705, as amended), Rules of Procedure on Environmental Cases (A.M. No. 09-6-8-SC), 1997 Rules for the Administrative Adjudication of Illegal Forest Products and the Machinery, Equipment, Tools and Conveyances Used in Connection Therewith (DENR Administrative Order No. 97-32) and the Procedure in the Investigation and Resolution of Land Claims and Conflict Cases (DENR Administrative Order No. 2016-31.)
Furthermore, the activity served as a venue to acquaint the participants on the exceptions annexed on DENR Administrative Order No. 2016-29 (DENR Freedom of Information Manual) that are essential in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. They were likewise oriented on DENR profile, office protocols in the handling of clients and documents, filtering and monitoring of legal documents before submission to higher offices as well as their duties, responsibilities and work limitations in their respective office assignments.
The one-day training/workshop successfully ended through a closing remarks from the OIC Chief of Legal Division Lawyer Ban Mikhael C. Pacuribot who promised to strengthen, through constant communication, the partnership established between the DENR X Legal Division Lawyers and the Legal Assistants who serve as their counterpart in the field office.
The lecturers during the training/workshop were the following: OIC Chief of Legal Division Lawyer Ban Mikhael C. Pacuribot and DENR X Lawyers Jomair G. Ampay and Pauline Mae P. Araneta. It was facilitated by DENR X Lawyer Carmila Claudette B. Bagay and Planning Officer II/Legal Staff Ivy Shela B. Abrogueña.
DENR X continuous to capacitate its employees amidst this time of global pandemic in order to ensure the effective delivery of its mandate towards the general public. #TayoAngKalikasan RPAO MR No. 07-187-2020
Panlibatuhan River in Valencia City emerged as the winner in the recently concluded Regional Search for Recognizing Institutions/Individuals Towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (R.I.V.E.Rs) for Life Award for FY 2019 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region X (DENR X).
R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award was institutionalized by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to raise awareness on the need to protect and conserve rivers and encourage partnership with stakeholders to sustain the cleanliness of rivers in the country.
DENR X Regional Executive Director (RED) Arleigh J. Adorable disclosed that the local government of Valencia City under Mayor Azucena P. Huervas received a Plaque of Recognition from DENR X for having been instrumental in the improvement of the water quality of Panlibatuhan River and promoting solid waste management and sustaining partnership and community clean-ups.
He further revealed that the winner will be the official entry of DENX for the National Search for R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award for FY 2020.
The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Valencia City was also awarded a Plaque of Appreciation for their invaluable contribution in the rehabilitation of Panlibatuhan River and pursuing environmental awareness and activism in the locality.
The award was signed by RED Adorable, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Efren B. Carido.
The criteria for judging include Aesthetics and Water Quality Improvement, Solid Waste Management, Partnership/Community Mobilization and Information, Education Campaign.
The other winners of the contest are the following: 1st runner-up – Manuto River with local government unit (LGU) partner Quezon, Bukidnon under Mayor Pablo M. Lorenzo III and 2nd runner-up – Umalag River with LGU partner Cagayan de Oro City under Mayor Oscar S. Moreno. The implementers, CENRO Don Carlos, Bukidnon and CENRO-Initao, Misamis Oriental, respectively, each received a Plaque of Appreciation.
The other awardees are Aloran River in Aloran, Misamis Occidental under Mayor Junipher A. Roa, Maranding River in Lala and Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte under Lala Mayor Angel L. Yap and Kapatagan Mayor Barry Yu Baguio, Labo River in Ozamiz City under Mayor Sancho Fernando Oaminal and Agus River in Baloi, Lanao del Norte under Mayor Hanifa P. Ali. The local government unit partners also received a Plaque of Recognition.
The implementing Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Oroquieta City, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, Ozamiz City and Iligan City each received a Plaque of Appreciation.
The chairman of the Technical Working Group is the Chief of the Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division (LPDD) of DENR X Forester Roel G. Dahonog with members from EMB X- Engr. Marivic F. Lluisma, Engr. Raedwulf C. Geollegue and Engr Dovee Cherry I. Geollegue; Forester Domingo B. Lebosada representing MGB X; Forester Raul A. Pallares and Forester Analie I. Uayan from DENR X.
The rivers are classified by EMB as Class C or those assessed to be safe for propagation of aquatic fish, boating, fishing and other recreational use, agriculture, irrigation and livestock watering. #TayoAngKalikasan RPAO # 07-182-2020
To showcase the different Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Projects and community initiatives in the protection and conservation of the environment and in line with the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Region X spearheaded an online Photo and ENR Video Documentary Contests in June 2020.
With the Environment Month theme “Protect Nature, Sustain Our Future”, the Photo Contest aimed to show, tell, and inspire people to take care of the environment and be responsible for the consequences of the actions they have for the future generations. It was participated in by photo enthusiasts in Region X.
Albert Labalan from Cabalantin, Manticao, Misamis Oriental emerged as first place in the Photo Contest, Kirkamon Cabello from barangay Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City was declared as second place followed by Alandino Lingat, Jr. from barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City as third place. Lingat, Jr. also bagged the People’s Choice Award.
DENR X also spearheaded ENR Video Documentary Contest participated in by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENROs), Mines and Geosciences Bureau X (MGB X) and Environmental Management Bureau X (EMB X).
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Misamis Oriental bagged the first place. The video entry showcased the ENR projects on the conservation of protected areas, the sustainable implementation of the Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP) and other environment-related activities and initiatives of the province.
PENRO Bukidnon bagged the second place of the ENR Video Documentary Contest. They showcased the successful implementation of ENGP at Migcawayan, Damulog, Bukidnon. The People’s Organization Migcawayan Land Owners Tribal Association, Inc. benefited from the ENGP which provided them additional income through livelihood projects and reforested their area.
PENRO Lanao del Norte emerged as third place with video entry showcasing the protection and conservation initiatives of the province for the Mount Inayawan Range Natural Park at Nunungan, Lanao del Norte.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau X bagged the People’s Choice Award with video entry on Mangrove Reforestation and Rehabilitation Project at Bayug Island, Barangay Hinaplanon, Iligan City.
The board of judges is composed of Philippine Information Agency X Media Associate Shaun Alejandrae Uy as Chairman, DENR X Head Executive Assistant and OIC, Chief, Human Resource Development Section Georgina Padilla, and Chief, Information and Communications Technology Unit of the Planning and Management Division Ma. Lapertina Madridano.
The Photo and ENR Video Documentary entries were posted at the DENR Northern Mindanao Facebook Page and YouTube official accounts for viewing and sharing. (TayoAngKalikasan #RPAO NO. 06-171-2020)