๐๐๐๐: A pair of olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) engaged in mating behavior was documented by environmentalists during their collaborative field work in Sarangani Bay on March 15.
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SBPS Protected Area Superintendent Cirilo A. Lagnason, Jr. said that they have sighted the reptiles during their fieldwork expedition in the protected seascape with their visitors from DENR Central Luzon.
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โIt's worth noting that sea turtles typically mate before their nesting season. In Sarangani Bay, the sea turtlesโ peak nesting period occurs from March to May,โ PASu Lagnason said.
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The shorelines of SBPS are renowned as favored nesting grounds for olive ridley sea turtles. As these turtles embark on their critical nesting period, the PAMO-SBPS emphasizes the importance of vigilance and caution from the public, and the cleanliness and order along the coastlines.
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"Protecting our sea turtles demands collective responsibility beyond the efforts of the DENR. We appeal to the public to refrain from disturbing turtles during their nesting journeys or using flashlights or cellphone cameras around them, to ensure their peaceful nesting experience remains undisturbed," said PASu Lagnason.
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He added that "Only authorities are permitted to handle or relocate the sea turtles' eggs when necessary. Together, let's strengthen our conservation initiatives to protect marine life and preserve the beauty of places like Sarangani Bay for future generations." ### (With report and photos from PAMO-SBPS) | ๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ โ The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) โ 12 and the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape โ Protected Area Management Board (SBPS-PAMB) held its 3rd SBPS Science Research Colloquium as one of the main events of the SBPS Week celebration on March 05 at Sun City Suites, General Santos City.
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A total of 23 participants who are student researchers have showcased their studies related to the protection and conservation of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS). There were 12 participants for oral presentation and 11 for poster presentation who aimed to highlight impactful research studies contributing to the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), including those focusing on coastal and marine habitats, marine flora and fauna, marine biology branches, innovations for coastal and marine ecosystems, and related studies.
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In his message, PENR Officer of Sarangani Province For. Shalimar Disomangcop expressed his thoughts on the event. โIt is always fascinating to see our dear students being participative and actively engage in a research colloquium. This is a wonderful platform to encourage more research initiatives to be done in SBPSโ, he said.
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General Santos City CENR Officer EnP. Allan D. Marcilla also reiterated the significance of being a student-researcher. โI was once also a research assistant and events like this one are our very own opportunity to showcase to the public the science we are doing for our environment. To all participants, let this serve as an inspiration to persist in your research endeavors. I hope this is not the last time that we meet, but this is the beginning of your scientific journey.โ
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The judges for the said colloquium were EnP. Giff P. Dayondon, Dr. Liezle B. Coronica, Legal Division Atty. II Jaymark Balbosa, Sandra J. Alido, Samerah B. Macabalang - Datudacula, MPA, MSc, CDD Chief Ali M. Hadjinasser, PhD., and PASu Cirilo A. Lagnason, Jr.
The winners during the Oral Presentation and Poster Presentation are the following:
Danica Lumawig Santulio - Unveiling Mercury Pollution In The Understudied Sipunculan Species Of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape
2nd Place:
Angelyra Puyawan Serapio - Evaluating The Success Of Coral Translocation In Coastal Waters Of Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province: Growth, Survival, And Recruitment Patterns
3rd Place:
Cedrick Agui Barba - The Current Status Of Gleaning Fishery And Marine Mollusks In Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape
Ernest John Naranja Gabonada - SOS Guard: Automated Detection of Oceanic Dolphin Vocalization and Species Classification using Deep Learning for Passive Acoustic Monitoring
2nd Place:
Marvelyn Germino Quisto - Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity in Sarangani Bay's Mangrove Ecosystems: An Ecological Assessment
3rd Place:
Rome Yves Neri Diwa - Sexual Maturity Stages and Histological Profiling of Mackerel Scad (Decapterus macarellus) from Fisheries Management Area 3
Most Promising Study:
Philip John Jasani Martin - Vegetation Analysis, Diversity, and Macroplastic Accumulation in Mangrove, Seagrass, and Coral Reef Habitats in Sarangani Bay
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Moreover, SBPS Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Cirilo A. Lagnason, Jr. added, "The theme for this year's SBPS research colloquium, 'Together, We Sail Forward,' emphasizes that 'WE' includes every individual. Conservation and protection of the SBPS require the collective attention of all. This event is a call for unified action and shared commitment.
Also present during the event were PENRO-TSD Chief Jesus Boja, PENRO-MES Chief Alexander Ursua, PAMB academe representative Ronald Sombero, several personnel from City Mayor's Office, AKLAT, Philippine Coast Guard MEPU, and ECPC, several professors from Mindanao State University โ General Santos City (MSU-GSC), Sultan Kudarat State University, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, DENR-12 CDD staff, some DENR employees, and some students all over the region. ### (๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐) | ๐๐๐๐๐๐
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๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐โ The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12, in collaboration with the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), officially launched the SBPS Week 2024 in a ceremony held on Sunday (Mar. 3) in the city with an aim to raise awareness and encourage community involvement in safeguarding the crucial marine ecosystem of the seascape.
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Representing Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer, DENR-12 Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Maria Elvira V. Lumayag said the event is one way of reminding everyone on the importance of protecting and conserving the Sarangani Bay that offers various environmental and economic services. โWe extend our gratitude to our stakeholders, including partner local government units, government agencies, industries, academe, and communities, for their contributions in the preservation of SBPS,โ she added.
The opening program featured the "Sayaw Sabay" Mass Dance Competition, where various groups showcased their talents. The competition was judged by Argie Ryan L. Asaria, Alex Tayan Narte, April Marjorie Purisima-Rudes, Russel Bumanglag Batoon, and Avel Manansala. Tribu Paadtuanan Performing Arts from Gensan emerged as the champions, with Team Indayog and Indak Siklab Dance Troupe, also from Gensan, securing the second and third places, respectively.
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Notable attendees at the program included DENR-12 Conservation and Development Division Chief Dr. Ali M. Hadjinasser, South Cotabato PENR Officer Dr. Rosalinda B. Cortez, SBPS Protected Area Superintendent Cirilo A. Lagnason, Jr., CENR Officers, as well as officials and employees from DENR-12 regional and field offices, partner local government units, national government agencies, private sectors, and other stakeholders.
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Series of events dedicated to promoting environmental conservation are also lined up for this week, including the Press Conference (March 4), Science Research Colloquium (March 5), Stakeholdersโ Summit (March 6), Bantay Dagat Summit (March 7), Baybay Awards (March 08), and SBPS Peopleโs Day on March 9.
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The SBPS was proclaimed as protected seascape by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 756 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos in 1996. It was also legislated as protected seascape through the Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 2018. ### | ๐๐๐๐๐๐ | Photos by: ๐๐๐๐๐๐
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In an exceptional joint effort, the Upo Valley Farmers Association (UVFA), an Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP) beneficiary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 in Barangay Upo, Maitum, Sarangani Province, has been awarded a significant project on a Coffee Processing Center by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the Village Level Farm Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Program on Thursday, February 22.
Valued at Php 400,000.00, this initiative, made possible through partnerships with DAR, LGU-Maitum, and San Miguel Corporation, marks a crucial milestone for the local coffee industry. The recent memorandum of agreement signing and groundbreaking ceremony witnessed key stakeholders expressing unwavering support for this endeavor.
Kubli Kusin, UVFA's chairperson and Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Maitum, extended gratitude to the involved government agencies for their invaluable support. He emphasized the instrumental roles played by the DENRโs eNGP for the success of their coffee enterprise. He said that the additional assistance provided by the DAR and the anticipated assistance from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will further the success of their enterprise.
UVFA's notable achievement, securing the 4th Place in the Kape Dose Coffee Quality Competition 2023 (Robusta Category), further exemplifies their commitment to excellence in coffee production.
This initiative not only promises to revolutionize local coffee cultivation but also stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in fostering community development and sustainable livelihoods in Barangay Upo. ### (With report from FAMendoza, CENRO Kiamba Alternate IO | Photos by: UVFA, For. RPingoy, DKMohammad, IKAdam) | ๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐จ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ, ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ โ Truth be told despite their reputation for being venomous, not all snake species have venom, and their existence actively supports ecological balance and dynamically coexist with other species to preserve biodiversity. These two aspects are essential for managing pest populations and preserving biodiversity.
On February 09, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Matalam conducted an Information, Education, and Campaign (IEC) on RA 9147 also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act on the Indangan Farmers Association at Brgy. Indangan, Kidapawan City, Cotabato.
To discuss the legal implications of handling wildlife, Forester Rosie R. Camiguing, the chief of the Protected Area and Wildlife Unit (PAWU), discussed a list of prohibited acts that are harmful to wildlife and their corresponding fines and penalties. For. Camiguing additionally emphasized the prerequisites for getting a Wildlife Farm Permit (WFP), Wildlife Collector's Permit (WCP), and Certificate of Wildlife Registration (CWR). Such permits are required in addition to several other conditions that the owner must carefully follow and be aware of to possess or purchase wildlife as a pet.
Erben Pitogo, a Veterinary Medicine student at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM)-Kabacan and holder of a Certificate of Wildlife Registration (CWR) informed everyone that Proteolytic venom, for example, breaks down the molecular environment around the bite site. He emphasized that while neurotoxic venom attacks the neurological system, particularly the brain, hemotoxic venom affects the circulatory system, specifically the heart and blood. A detrimental effect on cell function is referred to as cytotoxicity. Necrosis, apoptosis (cell death), severe blistering, and edema are all possible side effects of cytotoxic activity. If a bitten one experiences dizziness, blurred vision, breathing problems, nausea, muscle weakness, or paralysis, it could be a sign that snake venom has entered oneโs body.
To address concerns about snake bites, Marvin Melaรฑo, a wildlife advocate shared his experiences and expertise in basic first aid and treatment. First aid protocols for a snake bite victim include moving away from the animal as much as possible, remaining motionless and composed, taking off watches, jewelry, and tight clothing before swelling starts, sitting or lying down to allow the bite to heal in a neutral, comfortable position, cleaning the bite with soap and water, covering it loosely with a clean, dry bandage, avoiding the use of ice packs or tourniquets, avoiding cutting the bite or trying to extract the venom, abstaining from caffeine and alcohol, and not taking painkillers. Instead of attempting to capture or cage the snake, make an effort to remember its color and shape so that it can be described to determine what kind of snake it is.
It was best advised to always contact experts before handling wildlife, whether dead or alive. In the event of an unusual situation such as a snake encounter, exercise caution to protect the health and safety of both humans and wildlife. Awareness matters! ### (๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ง๐ข๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ) | ๐๐๐๐๐๐
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