ALABEL, SARANGANI PROVINCE – The country’s first marine wildlife rescue center (MWRC) which would ensure the proper holding, administration of first aid, and rehabilitation of rescued marine wildlife was launched here on Thursday, May 5, by the officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), and concerned local government units.

 

DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Director Natividad Bernardino commended the DENR-12 and PAMB-SBPS for their initiative in constructing the rescue center which would accommodate the stranded and rescued wildlife in the protected seascape.

 

In his message, Alabel Mayor Vic Paul M. Salarda said that they are honored that the DENR chose their town as the site of first ever MWRC in the Philippines and assured their full support in the project.

 

Over the years, the DENR and its partners through the SBPS Megafauna Response Team (MRT) have responded to several stranded marine turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and whales in the Sarangani Bay.

 

DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer hopes that with opening of the rescue center, the chances of survival of stranded wildlife in SBPS will increase.

 

The first phase of the construction of MWRC building, which was funded by the DENR with the help of SBPS-PAMB, has already finished and its second phase is set to continue within this year. | With report and photos from PAMO-SBPS

 

 

KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO – More than 4,000 tree seedlings were planted across the Soccksargen Region on Friday, April 22, during a simultaneous tree-growing activity organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 in celebration of the Earth Day 2022.

 

DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer said that the planet earth is facing a lot of threats like climate change and various environmental destructions, and one way to combat these is to plant more trees.

 

“We can all be part of the solution in addressing these threats and issues. We need to put an end to environmentally harmful activities and start joining the government programs in saving our only home, the planet earth,” he said.

 

According to the reports of DENR-12 field offices, 1,600 various species of tree seedlings were planted in the National Greening Program (NGP) sites of Sarangani Province, 900 in North Cotabato, 892 in South Cotabato, and 700 in Sultan Kudarat Province. Aside from tree growing activities, information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns were also conducted by the field offices.

 

The celebration of this year’s Earth Day carries the theme “Invest in Our Planet.”

 

It is annually celebrated every 22nd of April as a reminder to protect the environment, restore damaged ecosystems and live a more sustainable life. | With reports and photos from DENR-12 designated IOs

 

Said validation was conducted following Silway River’s nomination as one of the Top 5 for the Recognition for Individuals/Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (RIVERs) for Life Award.

 

RIVERs for Life was launched by then DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu on July 4, 2018, which aims to recognize the efforts of DENR’s field officials in implementing and enforcing environmental laws and other initiatives to protect rivers from pollution and other threats.

 

For a river to be considered as a Rivers for Life Awardee, it should meet the following criteria; Aesthetic and Water Quality Improvement, Solid Waste Management, Partnership, and Community Mobilization, Information and Education Campaign (IEC), and other activities interventions and innovations.

 

Meanwhile, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of General Santos City had all hands on deck during the conducted briefing before escorting the team to various sites for validation. Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer led the said briefing wherein accomplishments undertaken by the Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) Governing Board, Local Government Units, and partner Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) were presented.

 

Field validation was successively conducted and various sites were visited including but not limited to the following; two Water WQMA stations in Tupi, the Polomolok Bamboo Dike, Agro Nursery Farmer’s Association, WQMA Board Meeting, Gensan Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and the WQMA Station in Brgy. Labangal Gensan.

 

Further, a short exchange of dialogue transpired between Executive Director Gorospe and beneficiaries of the Bamboo Dike project. The Top 3 Winners shall be announced and awarded during the celebration of this year’s June Environment Month.

This is the commendable news announced by the South Cotabato Technical Services Division Chief, For. Noraida B. Formacion in today’s flag raising ceremony.

 

According to her, the office area was donated during the time of the then Provincial Governor Sergio B. Morales in the year 1969. Morales was the first ever governor of South Cotabato.

 

Following the announcement, the patent was handed by the Banga Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Larry Curias to the DENR Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer in the presence of the Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Engr. Mama G. Samaon together with the CENRO Banga and PENRO South Cotabato personnel.

 

A Special Patent is a public instrument issued by the government to confirm ownership over a parcel of agricultural land (alienable and disposable) by law or proclamation by the President of the Philippines.

The Baybay Awards: Search for the Cleanest and Best- Managed Coastal Barangay initially began on February 10 with the submission of barangay portfolios, site inspection and validation, and eventually culminated to its awarding ceremony held at Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City on March 8.

 

PENR Officer of Sarangani Maria Elvira V. Lumayag expressed in her opening remarks that the Baybay Awards is their way of encouraging and recognizing the efforts of the barangays in contributing to the seascape's management.

 

The winners were awarded with project funding provided by the SBPS Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) which shall be used for initiatives that will support SBPS.

 

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲:

 

CHAMPION : Brgy. Kalaong, Maitum, Sarangani Province

1st Runner-up : Brgy. Baluan, General Santos City

2nd Runner-up : Brgy. Kling, Kiamba, Sarangani Province

 

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲:

CHAMPION : Brgy. Suli, Kiamba, Sarangani Province

1st Runner-up : Brgy. Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province

 

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲:

CHAMPION : Brgy. Poblacion, Malapatan, Sarangani Province

1st Runner-up : Brgy. Ladol, Alabel, Sarangani Province

2nd Runner-up : Brgy. Bula, General Santos City

 

The Baybay Awards also recognized the barangays whose coastal habitats were well-managed, wherein Brgy. Kamanga won the Best Coral Reef Initiative, Barangay Baluan for the Best Mangrove Forest Initiative, and Barangay Gumasa in Glan, Sarangani Province bagged the Best Seagrass Beds Initiative.

 

DENR-12 Regional Executive Director and concurrent SBPS-PAMB chair Atty. Felix S. Alicer commend the PAMB and coastal barangays for organizing the Baybay Awards and hoped to expand the next Awards to offer bigger prizes and incentives for participating barangays." | With report and photos from PAMO-SBPS