𝐊𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 - A total of 67 sacks of non-biodegradable and biodegradable materials were collected during the clean-up drive activity initiated by the DENR XII - Field Offices in celebration of this year’s International Day of Action for Rivers (March 14).

Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) - General Santos City and Banga, conducted their clean-up activities at Purok Matinabangon, Barangay Labangal, General Santos City, and the Riverbanks of Brgy. Reyes, Banga, South Cotabato, respectively.

CENR Officer Elmer S. Mercado underscored the significance of taking action toward river protection. “We need to protect our rivers because it plays a vital part in the water cycling system. For humans to sustainably inherit the earth, we need to protect our environment and natural resources. ‘We also need to intensify awareness on the importance of rivers for the society and its economy,” he said.

Their activity was then followed by a tree growing along the banks of the Silway River. Provincial ENRO Sultan Kudarat and CENRO Tacurong likewise collected trash from Kalawag Creek, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat together with the residents and interns of Sultan Kudarat State University. This was followed by an information education and communication (IEC) campaign given by Forester Sittie Hafsa D. Dimatingcal, EnP.

The PENRO South Cotabato through the Protected Area Management Office-Allah Valley Protected Landscape (AVPL) joined the celebration through a tree growing and clean-up activity at Barangay Lamlahak, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato wherein 150 red lauan seedlings were planted with the National Irrigation Authority, PEMO South Cotabato and MLGU Lake Sebu.

Meanwhile, CENRO Midsayap in collaboration with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Libungan Municipality conducted a River Walk and clean-up activities along the portion of the Libungan River. Forester Calil A. Bantuas, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) of Midsayap stressed that working together for the benefit of the environment is of big importance. “It is necessary that people and the government come together to clean rivers. With this and other related activities, we generate awareness and make people part of the solution”, he said.

Aside from the river clean-up, said offices also conducted IEC campaigns tackling the 26th anniversary of the celebration including the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Students from Hinalaan Integrated School Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat were likewise oriented on the Philippine Clean Water act in an IEC spearheaded by CENRO Kalamansig, flyers on these topics as well as Gender and Development (GAD) were then distributed to the participants.

On the other hand, CENRO Matalam installed 3 billboards along the Nuangan River with a slogan that reads “Ang ilog ay Buhay, wag po nating gawing basurahan” to remind constituents to mind their wastes and not throw it in rivers. PENRO Cotabato correspondingly did a tree planting activity together with its 80 participants along the creek of Mook River, Sitio Umpan, Barangay Balabag, Kidapawan City.

Shirley P. Uy, technical service division (TSD) chief of PENRO Cotabato gave a brief historical overview of the river saying that “The river streams down from Paniki Falls, which feeds Mook Creek and winds through Umpan Village in Sitio Mook, Barangay Balabag, forming the core of the Paniki Falls Eco-River Park. ‘The body of water is also casually referred to by the native Obo Monuvu as 'Linow't Ansoy' (Ansoy's waters), in reference to a semi-legendary female hunter who once frequented the area. Aside from Ansoy, it was also the hunting ground of Datu Abon Umpan” she said.

A total of 900 Shorea almond seedlings were planted in the area after the short program.

International Rivers Association describes the International Day of Action for Rivers as a day dedicated to solidarity- when diverse communities throughout the world come together with one voice to proclaim the rivers matter and raise awareness about pollution, river management, and fair access to clean, flowing water. (With reports and Photos from PENRO SK, PENRO Cotabato,PENRO South Cotabato, CENRO Tacurong, CENRO Banga, CENRO Gensan, CENRO Matalam, CENRO Kalamansig and CENRO Midsayap) |RSCIGP

 

𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR) 12 through its Licenses, Patents, and Deeds Division (LPDD) had inventoried Fourteen (14) on-site water users and identified water sources in partnership with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Matalam in the municipality of Arakan, Cotabato on March 07-09, 2023.

The team headed by DENR - 12 LPDD Chief Emily Ampatuan emphasized to the applicants the importance of water regulation aside from the process of issuance of water permits. LPDD clarified its role in water use regulation as a National Water Resources Board (NWRB) deputy under the Water Resources Utilization Section (WRUS).

“Along with inventory of water users and identification of water sources, we also conducted information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns. This is really a need to inform the public on the importance of water regulation and for the issuance of permits.” Regional WRUS Chief Forester Maisara D. Batuampar said.

As provided under NWRB Resolution No. 15-116, DENR-12 shall only perform the acceptance/verification of water permit applications (WPAs)’; conduct a continuing inventory of water users; identify water sources; conduct information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns; conduct re-echo training with Provincial/Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (P/CENROs) and meeting with other deputized agencies; and perform other related activities as may be specifically assigned in accordance with the Presidential Decree (PD) 1067 known as the Water Code of the Philippines that may be agreed by parties.

The approval and issuance of water permits shall be performed by the NWRB as it is the national regulating and coordinating agency on water resources management and development and was mandated to implement the Water Code of the Philippines. They were also called upon to conduct monitoring and enforcement activities all over the country.

To date, DENR - 12 already accomplished fifty (50) water permit applications for the first quarter out of the expected 180 targets for this year which shall be endorsed to the NWRB. This activity started after the creation of WRUS in 2015 as a result of the department’s Rationalization Program.

Further, WRUS was created to deputize DENR-12 and other regional line agencies as a response to the NWRB’s lack of personnel and field offices constraining its monitoring and enforcement activities in the state. DENR-12 LPDD along with its other deputy functions focuses also on the monitoring of non-compliant water users for legal actions and on reminding the public of their responsibilities because all waters belong to the state as provided under Article 3 of P.D. 1067. (𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮, 𝘋𝘌𝘕𝘙-12 𝘓𝘗𝘋𝘋) | 𝘙𝘚𝘊𝘐𝘎𝘑

𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐍, 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 - At least 95 newly-hatched critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) hatchlings were released on Friday (March 10) at the coastal stretch of Barangay Cablalan in this town.

Dr. Rosalinda B. Cortez, community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) of Glan, said her office was notified by bantay dagat Fernando Gampamole regarding the emerging hatchlings early morning on Friday.

Ecosystem Management Specialist Marivic Quisto together with Park Maintenance Foreman Nelson Ycon and some CENRO Glan on-the-job trainees immediately went to the area to facilitate the releasing of the hatchlings.

Dr. Cortez urged the public to be their partners in protecting the sea turtles in line with the department’s campaign to save and protect marine life.

Hawksbill sea turtle is considered critically endangered under the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2019-09. It is also protected under the Republic Act 9147 otherwise known as the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.” (With report and photos from JCDumanon, CENRO Glan IO Designate) | RSCIGM

#TayoAngKalikasan #DENRNews

General Santos City Lone District Representative Loreto B. Acharon, DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer, EMB-12 Regional Director Engr. Omar M. Saikol, and Sarangani PENR Officer Maria Elvira V. Lumayag awarded the prizes to the winners of the second SBPS Science Research Colloquium on Friday (March 10) in General Santos City.

𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞: Ernest John N. Cabonada

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: “C.A.R.E.N. Plankton: Deep Learning-Based Mobile Screening System for Classification of Bacillariophyceae Genera”

𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞: Dave B. Angot and Michael Brian A. Sayon

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: “Diurnal Behavior of Cetacean during Southwest and Northeast Monsoon in the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, Philippines”

𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞: Charry Eden M. Lipay, Gladys Gwyn M. Casida, Stephen Zion S. Avila and Auregin U. Salinda

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: “Seaweeds in Sarangani Bay, Philippines”

𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞: Jeanette Madas

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: “A Snapshot of Sarangani Bay Nutrient Loading and Institutional Arrangements”

𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞: Michael Brian A. Sayon

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: “Ecological Behavior Assessment of Cetaceans in Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape”

𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞: Chrizza Mae P. Britanico

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: “Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape: An Assessment of Mangrove Ecosystem”

Please click the link for more photos:

 

𝐊𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 -The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – 12 (DENR-12) joined the First Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) at 2:00 P.M. today, March 9, 2023, in response to the call of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

In his message, regional executive director (RED) Atty. Felix Alicer emphasized the importance of being vigilant in times of disaster. “What is important is we have to be alert in times of disaster that might confront us in the future.” RED Alicer said.

During the First Quarter NSED, the DENR 12 Regional Office, its two line bureaus -Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) - 12 and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) - 12, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs), and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) conducted a simultaneous Earthquake Drill where employees performed the “Drop, Cover and Hold” countermeasures which are considered as an appropriate action to reduce possible injuries and casualties during earthquakes.

In addition, employees were encouraged to practice their evacuation procedures, do a headcount once in their designated evacuation areas, and report to the designated safety marshals for further documentation. After accounting for all drill participants, everyone went back to their offices.

NSED is a quarterly exercise organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Office of Civil Defense. It is conducted quarterly to assess the preparedness of the Filipinos for earthquakes and develop their culture of disaster resilience considering that the Philippines is prone to earthquakes due to its location in the “Pacific Ring of Fire.”

DENR-12 adhered to the purpose of the activity to make the employees earthquake-ready and promote the effective application of the quick response by training employees on proper and effective evacuation procedures. (𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘙𝘚𝘊𝘐𝘎, 𝘔𝘎𝘉-12, 𝘌𝘔𝘉-12, 𝘗𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘰, 𝘗𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘚𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘯 𝘒𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵, 𝘗𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘚𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪, 𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘱, 𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢, 𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘒𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘙𝘖 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘯) | 𝘙𝘚𝘊𝘐𝘎𝘑