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Koronadal City – In a bid to protect the remaining population of the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) from hunting, loss of habitat and other threats, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is taking some steps for the declaration of an estimated 25-hectare site in Barangay Mabuhay, General Santos City as a critical habitat for this largest bat in the world.A DENR composite team conducted a rapid habitat assessment of large flying fox roosting on trees in Nopol Hills located in Barangay Mabuhay. The team was assisted by the representatives of Mabuhay Barangay LGU and the tenure holder of the Forest Land Grazing Management Agreement (FLGMA) No. 20-2007 where Nopol Hills is situated. This is pursuant to Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 and Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 01, its implementing rules and regulations. The team estimated the bat population at 7,000.   “Critical habitats refer to areas outside protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586 that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as such based on scientific data …” as defined under DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2007 – 02, dated February 28, 2007.   Forester Shalimar A. Disomangcop, the outgoing Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of the DENR for South Cotabato, bared that the large flying fox feeds on fruits, nectar and flowers, hence these mammals are also called “large fruit bat”, Disomangcop said. “They play a biological role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and by serving as pollinators of forest trees. Large fruit bats are vital when it comes to pollinating food crops locally, like durian, ” PENRO Disomangcop added.   The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), a DENR sub-office in General Santos City earlier reported that Nopol Hills is the roosting site of the bats owing to the presence of a forest in the locality.   Results of the rapid site assessment show that there are man-made pressures or threats occurring in the area such as cutting of trees and hunting that might affect the survival of the large flying foxes. These observations were reported to the Barangay LGU for appropriate action. The presence of other natural resources that have economic and social impacts in the area were also observed by the team. The remaining activities that have to be undertaken are the conduct of perimeter survey, community consultation and write shop on the draft order declaring the designated area as critical habitat by the DENR Secretary.   Large Flying Fox is classified under Other Threatened Species under the List of Threatened Species as provided for under DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-15 and Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species or CITES (List of Threatened Species) as of 2017. (PKAFarrol/MCLocsin/DENR South Cotabato) ###  
Born on June 08, 1955 in Baloi, Lanao delNorte   Doctor in Management Major in Human Resources Management University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu City March 2001 Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Mindanao State University, Marawi City, 1990 Master of Public Administration Mindanao State University, Marawi City, 1984 Certificate in Government Management (CGM) Mindanao State University, Marawi City, 1983 Bachelor of Science in Forestry Mindanao State University, Marawi City, 1978 Certificate in Forestry Technology Mindanao State University, Marawi City, 1976   Career Executive Service Eligibility (CES) Board Resolution No. 439 dated 23 July 2002 Career Service Executive Eligibility (CSEE) CSC Resolution No. 2157 dated September 14, 2000 Career Service Professional Cotabato City, June 17, 1979 Forester Licensure Examination July 15, 16 & 21, 1979   Career Service Professional (Local Government) Iligan City, November 11, 1977   Regional Director Environmental Management Bureau Region 10, Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City September 17, 2001 to date Chief, Administrative and Finance Division Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region XII, Koronadal City, Dec. 1999 to Sept. 16, 2001 Technical Assistant to the Regional Secretary for Lanao del Sur FieldOperation. DENR-ARMM, Cotabato City, 1997 to November 30, 1999 Chief, Forest Management Section CENRO, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, 1994-1996 OIC-CENRO, Sub-CENRO Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, 1990-1993 Assistant District Forester BFD, Marawi City, 1987 Assistant District Forester BFD, Region XII, Midsayap, Cotabato, 1983-1986 OIC-Chief, Plans and Programs Staff BFD, Region XII,Cotabato City, 1980     Director III DENR June 03, 2005 to date Administrative Officer V Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region XII, Koronadal City, Dec. 1999 to June 02, 2005                                                 Forester III DENR-ARMM Marawi City, 1987- November 1999 Forestry Supervisor I DENR, Region XII, Marawi City Assistant District Forester BFD, Region XII, 1983-1986 Senior Forester BFD, Region XII, March 1980 to 1983 Forester BFD, Region XII, 1979 to 1980     Sorting and Processing of the Plastic raw materials within EMB standards and regulations. Jeju, South Korea, November 09-12, 2017   2nd International Agroforestry Congress Tay Nguyen University, Buonmathuot City, Vietnam. November 28-29, 2016   7th World Conference of the Ecosystem ServicesPartnership: Local ActionforCommonGood.                                                             San Jose, Costa Rica. September 08-12, 2014                                                 Global Forum on the Circular Economy – ExtendedProducer Responsibility (EPR). Tokyo, Japan. June 17-19, 2014 5th Regional 3R Forum in Asia and Pacific Region. Surabaya, Indonesia. Feb. 25-27, 2014   14th World Lake Conference. Austin, Texas, U.S.A. October 2011 East Asia Summit for Climate Change Adaptation Seminar. Beijing, China. October 10-11, 2008 Xiamen International Forum for Coastal Cities. Xiamen, China. October 10-11, 2008 Study Tour on Coal-Fired Power Plant. Germany and The Netherlands. October 2004 Symposium of Capacity Building Program in Environmental Protection among Asian Countries Beijing, China. March 01-10, 2004   “Innonation: Innovations for the Nation” Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City. May 18-19, 2016 “Training on Environmental and Health Risk Analysis of Toxic Chemicals” Tagaytay City. September 23-27, 2013 Orientation on the Placement Process under the DENR Rationalization Plan The Sulo Riviera Hotel, Quezon City. Sep. 16-17, 2013 “Seminar-Workshop on Protocol and Social Graces”  Traders Hotel, Manila. February 26, 2007 “Mining Symposium” Camp John Hay, Baguio City. November 17, 2006   Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Workshop:Strengthening Regional Enforcement Capacity & Practices Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City. May 27, 2004 DiwasaPaglilingkod (Diwa) Cebu City. October 22-28, 2002 SalaminsaPaglilingkod (Salamin) Cavinti, Laguna. September 03-12, 2002 GabaysaPaglilingkod (Gabay) Bayview Park Hotel, Manila. July 03-12, 2002 Orientation Workshop on Social and Environmental Safeguards. Organized by the Institute of Philippine Culture, Ateneo de Manila University and The Wolrd Bank. December 03, 2001 Training on NGO-Assisted Community-Based Mangrove Forest Management and Rehabilitation. Preciosa Hotel, Zamboanga City. November 15-17, 1998 International Training Course on “Principle of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement” Held in Olongapo City on November 04-06, 1997. Sponsored by the DENR in cooperation with the United States Environmental Protection Agency. National Environmental management Sectoral Conference Cagayan de Oro City. August 27-29, 1997 Seminar on Regional Development Planning to Promote Regional Balance. Mindanao State University, Marawi City. Aug. 29, 1991 Trainors’ Training Course on Soil Erosion and Water Yield. Sponsored by the ASEAN-US Watershed Project and DENR. Baguio City, Philippines. June 09-16, 1987; Seminar on MIS and MNR Management Information System. Cotabato City. May 03-05, 1979     Speaker: “Prescribing the Technical Standards for Climate-Change Adaptation Practices in Pineapple Plantation Projects in Northern Mindanao, Philippines” Tay Nguyen University, Buonmathuot City, Vietnam November 28-29, 2016   Speaker: “Challenges and Initiatives to Philippine Industrialization Dilemma: The Success Story of Coal-Fired Power Plants in Region 10” New World Hotel, Makati Philippines November 16-17, 2016   Keynote Speaker: “Adding Value to El Nido’s PricelessNatural Heritage Through Biodiversity    Conservation and Payment forEcosystem Services (PES) Mechanisms.” Municipal Session Hall, El Nido, Palawan March 30, 2016 Speaker: “Career Orientation Seminar for Biologist” Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City December 16, 2015 Speaker: “Development of Flood Mitigation Measures & Control, during the Climate Change & Gender Sensitivity” MUST, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City May 31-27, 2012 Speaker: “The Geodetic Engineers in the Mitigation of Climate Change Hazards” Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City April 19, 2012 Guest Speaker: “Mindanao State University, Main Campus 46thPre- Commencement Exercises (Group 1)” Dimaporo Gymnasium, MSU, Marawi City April 06, 2011 Speaker: “Leadership: Multi Role of Muslim Women” Chali Beach Resort, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City March 11-13, 2011   First to establish and adopt Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station with Telemetry System (Open Path Method and Real Time Monitor) Cagayan de Oro City, June 06, 2002 First to utilize the Continuous Emission Monitor of STEAG Coal-Fired Power Plant for regulatory purposes instead of self monitoring device only sans national policy. This will save the government Php 18M per year in monitoring the said company. Environmental Youth Camp Seminar-orienting the youth on sustainable concept in coordination with NGOs and industries at no cost to the DENR. Head of the Philippine Delegation to the ASEAN Trainors’ Training Course on Soil Erosion and Water Yield held in Baguio City on June 09-16, 1987. Team Leader of the Joint Team that Conducted Intensive Investigation of the Status of Lake Lanao Watershed Area and Logging Operations within or outside the Watershed. DENR Special Order Number 99-1309 dated November 05, 1999.   Society of Filipino Foresters c/o DENR, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Ranao Council, Inc. c/o Mindanao State University, Marawi City Mu Kappa Phi Exclusive Law Fraternity Upsilon Phi Sigma Fraternity and Sorority

The World Wetlands Day is being observed every 2 February since 1997. This annual event aimed to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It also marks the signing of theRamsar Convention on Wetlands on the same day in 1971 at the Iranian city of Ramsar. The Ramsar Convention on Wetland is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources, to which, the Philippines is the 119th contracting party.

 

For this year’s World Wetlands Day celebration with the theme “Wetlands for Our Future” we are enticing youth to experience wetlands for themselves through Wetland Youth Photo Contest. In line with this we are calling the participation of anyone aged 15-24 to snap and upload a picture taken in a wetland location in the country between 2 February and 2 March 2015 to the World Wetlands Day website. The participants for this contest will have a chance to win a free flight to a famous wetland of their choice.

 

This photographic challenge will highlight one of the many ways wetlands ensure our future. For the details of this contest, please visit http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/en/