Kasikas January-June 2014

Butuan City-- The Protected Area Management Board in Carascal Surigao del Sur has endorsed the application of the

Agyan Clan to exclude an ancestral land area within the proclaimed 43601 hectares -Critical Watershed Forest Reserves of Surigao

del Sur and Agusan del Norte for the Minahan ng Katutubo of the Manobo and Mamanwa tribal Communities

The area of 5416 hectares being asked to be excluded is part of the Ancestral Domain of the Manobo and Mamanwa tribes

within the proclaimed Watershed Forest Reserve This area covers Barangays Bayog Cabangahan Cabas-an and Panikian in Madrid

Cantilan and Carascal in Surigao del Sur

The PAMB voted a majority 11-3 from its members during a recent meeting presided over by DENR-13 Regional Director

Nonito M Tamayo held at a resort restaurant in Cantilan Surigao del Sur The PAMB took several months to come with the

endorsement considering the environmental pressure of the small-scale mining operation on a critical watershed area

But the community of the Manobos and the Mamanwas to which the Agyan belong have assured the members of the PAMB

and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that it would put safety nets to protect the watershed in the area

DENR-13 Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo said he brought the issue to the PAMB members ldquoowing to its sensitivity

to the environment over the rights of the indigenous people like the Agyan clanrdquo

Among the PAMB members who were present at the meeting are the Provincial Administrator of Surigao del Sur

Efren E Rivas the Vice Mayor of Carrascal Alfred B Arreza the President of the Baywatch Inc Emmma Y Hotchkiss the Baran-

gay Captain of Bayogo Carrascal Benjamin A Tindogan the tribal chiefs Panchito Gonzales of Cabangahan Benjamin T Adjawon

of Lobo Perinal Grol of Bayogo Pegenio TAmpo of Madrid the Barangay chairmen of Cabas-an Agustin D Buisa Juan Intano

of Pinikitan Mamer D Ating of Cacabangahan George Arreza of LGU Cantilan Chito U Tril-

lanes of Vicareate Social Action and Charlene G Binghoy

of the NCIP

The Agyan clan had been expecting the PAMB endorsement

since it applied on October 09 2012 It was submitted to Secretary

Ramon JP Paje but the DENR Chief of Staff Annaliza Rebuelta-Teh

referred it back to the PAMB for further evaluation and completion of

the required documents It also noted Agyanrsquos application made

before the watershed was proclaimed on March 2009 by the President

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Barangay Captain Benjamin A Tindugan of Bayogo

Carrascal Surigao del Sur said the area is considered a potential min-

ing area as determined by the NCIP The IPs he said has rights to

develop its domain ldquo to benefit and share the profits from allocation

and utilization of the natural resources found thereinrdquo based on the

NCIP Act 8731

Late last year the DENR-13 through the Land Survey

Division and the former Protected Areas and Wildlife and Coasta

Zone Management Services personnel have tried to conduct the

characterization and assessment of the natural resources in the said

ancestral area being contested by the Agyan clan but they were

prevented from pursuing their tasks further by the tribal people over

a minor issue when it failed to asked the tribal leader for his consent

Director Tamayo said the different tribal leaders in the area

have been asked to protect and preserve the natural resources within

their ancestral domain which they have upheld for generation after

generations

2014 1st Semester EDITION

Getting the job done for NGP

20

Surigao del Sur IPrsquos request gets PAMB endorsement

By Ma Catherine Gonzaga

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN 19 KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN 2

We are celebrating June as the Environment Month

This month is considered special to all of us who care for the preservation and

protection of our environment and natural resource This yearly celebration was estab-

lished by virtue of proclamation No 237 signed by President Corazon C Aquino in 1988

of which the DENR has been mandated to lead this celebration

The DENR has lined up various activities to give meaning to the celebration and

stimulate awareness to the people of the environment in the face of challenges of the global

climate changes

On June 5 the United Nations and the more than 100 countries in the world

celebrate the World Environment Day to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environ-

ment and encourage political attention and action

The theme of the World Environment Day ldquo Small Islands and Climate Change

Raise your voice not the sea levelrdquo is very much appropriate at this time that we are expe-

riencing the effects of the global climate change

June 5 serves also as the rsquorsquo peoplersquos dayrsquorsquo for doing something positive for the

environment concreting individual actions into a collective power that generates an

exponential positive impact on the planet The declaration of the United Nations

General Assembly for 2014 as the Year of Small Islands Developing States is aim

to celebrate the contribution of this group of countries and territories has made in the

world These small islands are home to vibrant and distinct cultures and heritage as

well as to rich ecosystems biodiversity and dazzling landscapes

These small islands faced with many environmental challenges brought about by Climate change Rising ocean levels is threaten ing

to wipe out if not reduce small islands into smaller pieces of lands Melting ice and the expansion of the oceans which both due to global

warming are the causes of sea level rise

Philippines is an archipelago with 7107 islands and though we do not fall under the category of small island states some islands in

the country is at high risk from rising seas particularly those villages that are situated in the low lying areas We are also confronted

with the problem about waste management We seem to care less of throwing our waste without segregating it and with the p roblem of

land space to dispose solid and liquid waste it would seem to take little time before we are literally buried in trash

It is good for us that the President and DENR through the leadership of Secretary Ramon JP Paje have timely implemented

the nationwide National Greening Program ( NGP )on February 2011 as a strategy to cushion the impact of climate change tho ugh

out the country The purpose of the NGP is to plant 15 billion trees in 15 million hectares of forest lands nationwide F rom 2011 to 2013

some 683069 hectares of the NGP sites or 46 percent of the 15 million hectare target have been planted with more than 1 2 million jobs

generated For 2014 the NGP has targeted to produce 164 million seedlings and plant them in the different parts of the coun try covering

300000 hectares

We can make our voices be heard for the environment as we celebrate the Environment Month The call this year is to recognize that

we all face the same challenges and are connected and united by our common goal of a sustainable and prosperous life for all on this plan-

et The call is to raise our voice in solidarity with one another particularly with the people of the small islands Whet her it is to organize

clean up campaigns tree planting plastic bans art exhibits recycling drives social media campaigns and others mdashevery action counts

LET OUR VOICES BE RAISED NOT THE SEA LEVEL

NONITO M TAMAYO CESO IV

OIC Regional Director

DENR -13

The Serior Management Staff of Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo DENR 13 ( From left sitting ) PENRO Rosendo Asunto Surigao del Sur

OICPENRO Zaldy Perater Surigao del Norte RD Tamayo OICRTD for FMS Maritess M Ocampo OICRTD for ERDS and PAWCZMS

Ronilo Salac and OIC PENRO Roberto A Oliveros of Agusan del Sur Not in photo is OICPENRO Paterno B Olivera Agusan del Sur

( At the back from left standing ) OICCENRO Cliff C Abraham Surigao City OIC CENRO Norman Asugan Nasipit Agusan del Norte

Eleazar S Alaira OIC CENRO Bayugan Agusan del Sur OIC CENRO Michael Montalban Bislig Surigao del Sur OIC CENRO Melvin Bustilla

San Franz Agusan del Sur OIC CENRO Federico A Senoc Jr Tandag Surigao del Sur OIC CENRO Luis Gonzaga Talacogon Agusan del

Sur CENRO Iniego S Collantes Dapa Surigao del Norte CENRO Joseph Leo E Oconer Cantilan Surigao del Sur

OIC ENRO Precilio O Penaloga Loreto Agusan del Sur CENRO Vince A Estopito Tubay Agusan del Norte OIC CENRO Hernan Ramirez

Lianga Surigao del Sur and OIC CENRO Modesto Lagumbay Bunawan Agusan del Sur ( This photo was taken by RPAO Chief ERIC F

GALLEGO during the 2nd Management Conference held at Licanto Beach Resort Wakat Barobo Surigao del Sur on May 15 to 16 2014 )

January to June 2014 January to June 2014

Mukabat sa 79 245 kilometro ang malampusong nakumpletong namarkahan sa DENR sa mga forest line boundaries sa tibuok nasud sa Pilipinas

Sumala pa ni DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje nga ang nasangpit nga lakang ang nagmalampuson tungod sa support nga gihatag sa administration agen-

da nga mi adopt sa delineation sa nagkada iyang forest limits sa mga public domain nga nalakip sa 13 ka priority bills diin mismong si Presidente Benigno Aqui-

no III pa ang nagduso niini ngadto sa Legislative- Executive Development Advisory Council kun (LEDAC)

Gidugang pa ni Paje nga sa pagka karon pipila na lamang ka lakang ang ilang pagahimuon aron masunod nila ang mandatu sa konstitusyon sa DENR nga

ma ila ug markahan ang mga forest limits sa nasud Kun diin ang resulta sa maong survey ang kasamtangang gisusi ug gi validate sa National Assesment and

Delineation Committee (NADC) basi sa ilang tagsa tagsa ka probinsiya para sa pormal nga pag duso ug pag apruba niini ngadto sa House of Representa-

tives Ubos sa DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No 2000-24 nga nagmugna sa giya para sa implementasyon sa forest boundary delineation project ang buha-

tan sa DENR ang adunay mandatu nga markahan ang mga luna nga maoy boundary sa forestland ug alienable and disposal lands sa tibuok nasud kini basi sa

mandatu sa konstitusyon sa ldquoCongress to determine by law the specific limits of public domainsrdquo (Sec 4 Article XII 1987 Philippine Constitution)

Delineation sa mga forest land boundaries pormal ng natapos sa DENR Ni Richell P Bongato

The members of the ARFAMCO have opted to revive the 171 hectares - waste timberland in the upland villages of Kasunugan Alikpawan

and Malapuwi These areas were almost denuded by years of kaingin The members have however strove to plant 85000 indigenous seedlings

since 2011 to date

They planted falcata seedlings on a 35-hectares area in 2011 The following year in 2012 the cooperative developed an adjacent 42-

hectares denuded timberland classified as protection forest They planted indigenous seedlings on it which consist of the species of Narra

Talisay gubat Mahogany Aguho Bagras Bahai Malapapaya Binunga Lagnob Bunot-bunot Manga-manga Bintuko Auri Ilang-ilang Alim

ituman Malapili and Bayog

The following year the members developed another 94 hectares of kaingin-laden timberland which is a protection forestland The

irregular weather pattern brought about by ldquoclimate changerdquo did not even affected the members as they worked together in maintenance job

to ensure high survival rate ldquo The mortality of seedlings was discouraging owing to hotter weather condition but it did not dampen our hopes ldquo

Saylon said He said both men and younger women have put their efforts together to water the seedlings before sunrise while the mothers have

occupied themselves at the nursery of continuous seedling productions ldquo

The NGP had changed the lives of the farmers who once -upon -a -time were engaged in timber poaching The members have even

organized a team of Bantay Gubat serving as foot patrol officers to monitor the activities at the site and ward off kaingin activities

Today we can see from a distance that the once-denuded timber land which was

destroyed by years of kaingin in Barangay Aclan is returning back to life again The

trees are growing ( EFG)

DENR 13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M Tamayo leads the tree planting activity of the more than 300 operators and workers of the wood processing plants lumber and furniture shops in Buenavista Agusan del Norte ( inset) as manifes-tation of support to the National Greening Program The DENR seeks to plant more than 30000 hectares of production and open forest lands this year ( Photo by Eric Gallego DENR 13RPAO )

The ldquo Kasikas sa Kinaiyahanrdquo Newsletter is a Quarterly publication of the DENR 13 Caraga Region with its editorial office address at

the Regional Public Affairs Office DENR -13 Barangay Ambago Butuan City News manuscript and photograph contribution are accepted

subject to the editorial standard policy of this publication Send your comments and reactions through this email add

herzondenrcaragarpao gmailcom

Eric Herson F Gallego

Editor in Chief

PENRO CENRO and Division Chiefs

Contributing Editors

MISSION amp MANDATE

Our mission is to mobilize our citizenry in pro-

tecting conserving and managing the environ-

ment and natural resources Our mandate is to

stop environmental abuses reverse ecological deg-

radation conserve the remaining natural re-

sources and ensure that they benefit our people

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS

Nonito M Tamayo - RD

Ronillo L Salac - OIC RTD ERDS PAW-

CZMS

Maritess M Ocampo - OIC RTD FMS

18 KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN 3

Geohazard maps now accessible in four

websites

Geohazard maps are now accessible and downloadable

from four government websites including that of a non-

government organization it was announced by the De-

partment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

The government websites hosting the interactive

geo-hazard maps include that of the DENR

(wwwdenrgovph) Mines and Geosciences Bureau

(wwwmgbgovph) Philippine Information Agency

(wwwpiagovph) and that of Environmental Science for

Social Change (wwwesscorgph)

DENR-13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M Tamayo

signed on ( March 202014) the application for Special Land Use

Permit ( SLUP) of the GMA Network Inc for the establishment of

a TV Relay Station at Sitio Matin-ao Barangay Bonbon

Buuan City Witnessing the contract signing are For Maritess M

Ocampo OIC Regional Technical DIrector of Forest Management

Services Engr Denis B Gatchalian a staff under the Broadcast

Engineering Services representing the GMA Network Those at the

back who witnessed the signing are OIC Cenro of Nasipit Agusan

del Norte For Norman Asugan the OIC Chief of the FRDD DENR

13 For Mila J Garcia the OIC CHief of the FRCD DENR 13

For Raul A Rosales and a staff of the FMS For Roel A Rosales

The signing rite was held at the ORED Conference Room DENR

13 Barangay Ambago Butuan City ( Photo by Eric F Gallego

Chief of RPAODENR 13)

FROM PAGE 13 Poor Farmers get richer

January to June 2014 January to June 2014

More than 300 workers and operators of Wood Processing Plants furniture shops and lumber dealers in Butuan City planted tree seedlings at the Mt

Mayapay Watershed in Ginabsan Buenavista on Thursday March 06 2013 to demonstrate their full support to the National Greening Program

The participants brought with them shovels and other garden tools and assembled at the Sports Center in Barangay Libertad in Butuan City as

early as 5 am before they walked and scaled the two - kilometers (20 -degree ) rolling slopes of the western side of Mount Mayapay They planted more than

500 tree seedlings of mahogany narra african tulip and acasia mangium species at the 225-hectare tree planting site set aside to them by the DENR

The workers and operators of the wood processing plants have committed to support the NGP

which is actually needed to ensure a better chance of survival rate of 85 percent The DENR 13 Regional

Director Nonito M Tamayo expressed his sincere thanks to the people for participating in the tree plant-

ing activity ldquo I hope the DENR and the WPP can do this regularly the more seedlings we plant the

better for the next generation rdquo Director Tamayo said during an interview with the ABS-CBN reporters

He said ldquo the DENR expects a good survival rate of the seedlings owing to the commitment

of the WPP supporters which can be achieved through proper care and maintenance rdquo Director Tamayo

said Since 2011 the CENR Office in Nasipit has recorded about 112500 tree seedlings of indigenous

species were planted in 375 hectares brush-land at the Mt Mayapay Watershed under the NGP

The OIC CENR Officer of Nasipit Norman Asugan said more participation from the commu-

nity academe non-government organization the private and the LGU should be encouraged to partici-

pate in the tree planting activities which his personnel at the forest development section have given at-

tention ldquo We share the vision of our community leaders of bringing back the forest of Mt

Mayapay in the days ahead rsquorsquo Forester Asugan said

By Eric F Gallego

BUTUAN CITY - The DENR Research personnel in Region 13 headed by OIC Regional Technical Director Ronilo Salac with the assistance of dozens of ldquojob -order ldquoworkers have bagged thousands seeds of premium and diptherocarp species at its Clonal Nursery Center in Barangay Buod in this city to replenish the 30000 seedlings used in the replanting activities of PENRO Tandag Surigao del Sur as the nation celebrates the Earth Day festival with the theme ldquo Earth Day every day everywhere for everyonerdquoon Tuesday April 22 2014 In some parts of the region the Regional Executive Director Nonito M Tamayo led the tree planting ceremony together with the local government officials and other national government agencies and private organizations held at the DENR Wildlife Rescue Center in Kicharao Agusan del Norte The Agusan del Sur PENRO Roberto Oliveros have revisited the sites of the National Greening Program ( NGP) in Talacogon and Bayugan to check the progress of the survival of the tree seedlings which were planted in January this year by the members of the Community-Based Forest Management Agree-ment holders He also led the tree planting activities together with

the field personnel of CENRO San Fran-cisco Bunawan Loreto Talacogon and Bayugan at Mt Magdiwata in San Francisco Agusan del Sur The PENR offices in Surigao City and Dinagat Province and the CENR offices in Lianga Barobo and Cantilan in Surigao del Sur have conducted similar tree planting activities in separate locations The Environment Management Bureau Regional Office personnel have conducted coastal clean- up at Barangay Masao in Butuan City

DENR-13 plants 30000 tree seedlings on

Earth Day 2014

4 17

CENRO Nasipit gets support of Lumber workers

and operators in Butuan City for NGP

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN

Students of the Agusan del Norte High School in Butuan City plant 1500

mangrove (bakhaw) propagules at an islet near the Delta of Agusan River

in Barangay Lumbokan Butuan City in support of the National Greening

Program of the DENR

Rising sea levels means greater risk of storm

surges and wave damage to coastline

Increasing frequency of extreme weather

results in greater and wider outbreak of disease

The changing climate is altering natural environment

increasing the vulnerability of plants and animal species

A MESSAGE FROM THE DENR-13 PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014 January to June 2014

Butuan City ndash Barely two years after Executive Order No 23 was implemented illegal logging and

timber poaching activities have slowed down in the Region particularly in Agusan del Sur which is

noted as ldquohot spot areardquo

DENR-13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M Tamayo made the report during the recent 1st Man-

agement Conference (ManCon ) held at the DENR Regional Office on February 05 2014 after analyz-

ing the reports submitted by the five PENR officers of Agusan del Nore Agusan del Sur Surigao del

Norte Surigao del Sur and Dinagat province

ldquo A significant decline in illegal loggging activities has been noted from 2011 to 2013 report

owing to intensified campaign made be the DENR in coordination with the Philippine National Police

and the Philippine Army rdquo RED Tamayo said

In Agusan del Sur where illegal logging activities has been a problem for several years PEN-

RO Roberto Oliveros reported that apprehension of illegal logs and lumber made in 2013 was

264741 cubic meters of logs and 6616676 board feet of lumber He said the the report noted a reduction

of apprehensions compared in 2012 with a record 364061 cubic meters logs and 29222363 board feet

lumber ldquo

According to PENRO Oliveros the all-out campaign on anti-illegal logging campaign in 2012

made significant factor in slowing down the illegal logging activities after the operations shifted to high gear

following the implementation of Executive Order 23 issued by President Benigno S Aquino III in February

1 2011 EO 23 is the declaration of moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and

residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force

Director Tamayo said he has high expectations

CRITICAL HABITAT FOR MARINE TURTLE ---DENR-13

Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo ( left ) and Mayor Ramon Calo of

Carmen Agusan del Norte shake hands after signing a Memorandum of

Agreement for the development propagation and plantation of mangrove

seedlings and beach forest along the shorelines of Carmen Agusan del

Norte ( Photo by RPAO Cristine Selanova)

The two new eaglets discovered in the mountains of the

Zamboanga peninsula in December last year have kept the hopes of the

Filipino people alive in saving the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

from extinction

DENR 13 Regional Director made this encouraging remarks

over the radio at the start of the 10th celebration of the Philippine Eagle Week

last June 4-10 He encouraged the people to take part in the observance

of the Philippine Eagle Week ldquo The people particularly those living in the

hinterlands must understand the importance of protecting of the Philippine

Eagle which also known as

ldquo Haring Ibonrdquo or ldquo Agila

rdquo in local dialect

The celebration this year

according to Secretary Paje

is considered ldquoextra

special ldquo because two new

additions to the

eaglersquos population were

recorded in December last

yearrdquo ldquo This discovery

provides a glimmer of

hope for the national birdrdquo

Secretary Paje said referring to the report of the birth of two new eagles in

Linay Zamboanga del Norte and Midsalip Zamboanga del Sur

ldquoIn the midst of the government efforts to restore our dwindling

forests the presence of these birds boosts our hope of achieving a thriving

forest ecosystem and a constant reminder that wildlife can co-exist

harmoniously with humans Paje said The DENR in cooperation with the

Haribon and the LGU of Gabaldon is intensifying their efforts to protect

Mt Mingan from human activities to preserve the population of the eagle

In Caraga Region Director Tamayo said there were sightings of

Philippine Eagles hovering the vast forest areas of Mt Hilong-Hilong in the

eastern section of Agusan del Norte and the former timber land area of the

defunct Surigao Development Corp (SUDECOR ) in Surigao del Sur and in

the erstwhile timber concession area of PICOP in Bislig City

Acclaimed as one of the treasures of the Philippine wild the

national bird is the largest eagle in the world With its height of one meter and

a wing span of two meters the Philippine eagle reigns supreme in the tropical

forest as a top predator A pair of this majestic bird occupies 7000 to 13000

hectares of forest territory

Butuan City ndashThe Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 13

and the Municipal Government of Carmen Agusan del Norte have entered into

an Agreement to establish a monitoring station for the 575620 hectares-

coastal areas in five barangays declared by the DENR as Critical Habitat for

Marine Turtles

This means that human activities at the shore lines of Barangays Vina-

por Gosoon San Agustin Cahayagan and Tagcatong in Carmen Agusan del

Norte shall be regulated to protect the the marine turtles which make the beach

as their nesting ground

DENR-13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M Tamayo and Mayor

Ramon Calo signed the MOA at a simple ceremony held at a beach in

Barangay Tagcatong in Carmen Agusan del Norte on March 252014 Witness-

ing the ceremony are the OIC CENR Officer of Nasipit Norman A Asugan

PENR Officer Paterno B Olivera the Barangay Captain of Tagcatong Eva D

Palarca and the Richard Palang-at of Vinapor Carmen

The DENR also donated 14223 cubic meters of mixed Dipterocarp

flitches and miscellaneous species to the municipal government of Carmen for the

construction of monitoring station

The LGU in Carmen under the agreement shall provide funds for the

construction It will also provide an area for the station and personnel who will

man the monitoring station Mayor Calo assured Director Tamayo that he

will personally supervise the protection management and development of

the marine turtle sanctuary

Aside from the wood materials the DENR has also provided the con-

struction of billboards that will properly guide the public including the conduct

of regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure proper conservation management

and development of the critical habitat

The five barangays in Carmen was declared by the DENR as Critical

Habitat for Marine Turtles by virtue of Department Special Order 2012-08 on

October 8 2013 signed by DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN 16 5

January to June 2014 KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014

DENR ties up with LGU Carmen

in monitoring sea turtles Two new eaglets keep hopes

of the Filipino people alive

Eagle Week celebration

Illegal logging activities slowed down in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY mdashDENR-13 OIC Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo has

commended on Monday ( March 10 2014 ) the leadership of the Philippine

National Police Regional Office 13 headed by Police Chief Superintendent Domina-

dor Eslava Aquino Jr for continued support in the anti-illegal logging campaign

that resulted in slowing down the illegal logging incidents in the region by 60 percent

Director Tamayo expressed the compliment during a Flag Raising ceremony

of the PNP at the Philippine National Police Regional Command at Camp Rodriguez

in Butuan City where he was invited as Guest Speaker

He said that since the Police and the Philippine Army took the lead in the

campaign two years after President Aquino declared a total log ban in the natural and

residual forest a significant drop in incidence of illegal logging and timber poaching

in Caraga region has been noted by the DENR

From a record apprehension of 495560111 board feet lumber made in

2010 a dramatic decline in apprehensions has been noted in 2013 to 261718942

board feet lumber It declined further in the first two months of 2014 to 30158139

board feet of lumber ldquo This is a good indication that the all-out anti-illegal logging

drive with he PNP and the military at the forefront is successful ldquo Tamayo said

In the last four years of campaign at least six personnel were killed The

latest incident was Jaime Cosmiano Diez a tree marker who was killed in front of his

wife and children inside his house in Bayugan Agusan del Sur on February 23 2012

6 15

DENR 13 forest officers in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army have appre-

hended about 1439 pieces or 11382 cubic meters of fresh- illegally cut logs from eight different mini sawmills

during two days anti-illegal logging operations at the remote Barangay Baylo in San Luis Agusan del Sur raising

speculations that some local officials maybe behind the illegal trading operations

ldquo Actually several raids have been made by the CENRO personnel in previous months but the illegal

sawmilling operations resurface weeks after the DENR operatives are gone ldquo OIC CENR Officer of Talacogon

Luis Guevarra said ldquo It is like hide and seek game but we can hardly operate in the area as often without police

backups considering the place is known as hub of timber poachers and armed supporters ldquo he added Barangay

Baylo is about 15 kilometers away from the nearest Philippine Army Detachment under Lt Col Rolando Dumawa

The latest raid was backed up by three platoons of regular army soldiers from the 26th Army Infantry

Batallion 4th Infantry Division and one unit from the Special Action Police Force (SAF) although the authorities

were dismayed over the sight of empty saw mill equipment and gadgets such as engines and saw-blades when

they barged into the identified mill plants as if the operators have fore knowledge of the raid

Itrsquos very disappointing ldquo PENR Officer of Agusan del Sur Roberto Oliveros said He said the area has been

on surveillance since an informant tip off the DENR of the clandestine mini saw mill operations of logs harvested by

timber poachers from a nearby defunct timberland of the PTFI Timber License Agreement holder ldquo

ldquo These illegally-cut timber arereportedlu moved through river tributaries to its destination in the

sawmilling plants built along the riverbanks It took the DENR about 48 hours with interval to extract the logs at the

different sawmills plants which included 243 pieces ( 2809 cubic meters at Purok 4 996 pieces ( 8599 cubic me-

ters) at Purok 3 at Sitio Don Alejandro all in Barangay Baylo San Luis Agusan del Sur and 200 pieces ( 1974 cubic

meters ) from the Barangay Proper of Baylo Oliveros said he was verifying reports that one of the illegal sawmill

plants is operated by a barangay official of Barangay Baylo The raid has also missed to catch the hauling of lumber

in eight Saddam-type 6-wheeler trucks which went at an undisclosed place in the nearby town of Bayugan the night

before

DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo said some people in that barangay are reportedly codling

with timber poachers and the operations of illegal sawmill plants have been tolerated in the area

Director Tamayo instructed PENRO Oliveros to intensify monitor of illegal logging activities in the area

and the activities of timber poachers in the former TLA holders area of operations in San Luis He said the DENR-13

personnel are expected to join forces with the DENR-11 in strengthening the monitoring of illegal logs trav-

ersing the stretch of the Maharlika Highway from Agusan del Sur Compostela Valley and Davao City

DENR 13 apprehends 1439 illegal logs

in San Luis Agusan del Sur The restriction of transport of all types of logs through the Agusan

River and its tributaries which took effect on February 102014 remain

enforced until the DENR Office of the Secretary ( OSEC) issues another

order to lift up the suspension

DENR-13 Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo said he has

submitted a detailed report of the logging trade utilizing Agusan River as

one of the ways in transporting forest products by the tree farmers and the

land owners and is being reviewed by a technical group under the Of-

fice of Undersecretary for Field Operations Demetrio L IgnacioJr

ldquo We have considered everything and consulted several sectors

of the industry environmentalists and local officials that made us to

propose that the movement of logs should be done only during daytime rdquo

RD Tamayo said ldquo Let us hope the top management would consider it rdquo he added

Since the supension took effect six month ago the DENR has stopped issuing permits for all types of logs using Agusan river and

its tributaries as waterways to move the forest products to the various wood processing plants along riverbanks in Butuan City and in other parts in Agusan

del Sur

Undersecretary Ignacio Jr has issued the log movement restriction order on Agusan river on a memorandum sent to RD Tamayo The memo

also cited wanton disregard of regulations imposed under Executive 23 by some people as one of the reasons for the restriction of log movement on

Agusan river The memo also cited that ldquorafting and towing of logs on Agusan river have contributed to the inundation and scouring of the river banks

made worst during heavy rains that has significantly contributed to the siltation of the riverrdquo ( EFG)

Log restriction movement along

Agusan River remains enforced

Agusan River

DENR-13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M Tamayo assisted by

Police Chief Supt Dominador E Aquino JrActing Regional Director of

PNP-13 and PSSUPT Joseph D Plaza Batallion Commander of 13th

RPSB pins award of medal to the three policemen namely PO2 Arin F

Dela Cruz PO1 Sherwin Clyde M Castrodes PO1 Alejandrino M Intas

of the 1st Company 13th Regional Special Police Service Batallion

DENR commends PNP -13

TO PAGE 12

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014 KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014

BISLIG CITY mdash The construction of a ldquostate-of-the artrdquo nursery house for tree seedlings

in Bislig Surigao del Sur the first of its kind in Caraga Region being supervised by the

Ecosystem Research and Development of the DENR is expected to be completed

before the end of this year It can produce 12 million tree seedlings every year

This Mechanization and Modernization of Forest Nursery is the pet project of

DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje in his objective to produce large volume of high-quality

planting materials through a more efficient and cost-effective methods of propagation in

support of the seedlings needs of the National Greening Program

Secretary Paje said the NGP targets to plant about 1 billion tree seedlings of dif-

ferent species planted over 15 million hectares in various areas all over the country by 2016

DENR OIC Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo has instructed his five PENROs

and 13 CENROs to plant tree seedlings that are adaptable to soil conditions in a given area

including the mangrove and beach forest on the shorelines

The mechanized nursery project was initiated by RD Tamayo and RTD Ronilo Sa-

lac of ERDS and the Bio-diversity Management Regional Office From the concept they

did everything to prove that this region deserves one allocation of the the four project sites

in the country Such modern and mechanized seedling nursery costs about P 353 million

The other areas are found in Luzon and the Visayas

Work activities of the modern nursery at the area of the ERDS in Bislig Surigao

del Sur began in January this year through the four winning bidders all of them are based in

Butuan City doing separate project components This

included the Hardening Area a 15000 sqmeter- lot

which will ensure the gradual exposure of the seedlings

into full sunlight for the sturdy and quality planting ma-

terials before they are planted into selected planting

sites It has a section called the Growing area which is

a 10000- sqmeter lot that functions as development of

geminants into seedlings At the other side is the the

Seeder Building which processes the sowing of seeds

into the styro-blocks propagation container with custom-

ized seed pads and treated through a misting area for

watering before they are placed into the greenhouse

There are two Greenhouse buildings being built at a 350 sqmeter lot in that area These build-

ings are equipped with misting devices and other facilities that helps in the germination process

of the germinants

RED Tamayo gave his assurance that the mechanized nursery will produce at least 12

million good quality seedlings yearly assuming they will come from the Seed Production area

and Individual Plus Trees ( IPTs) and have been processed at the Mindanao Tree Seed Center

He said the nursery may also provide fruit crops vegetables and cut flowers so that

the tree farmers can earn their livelihood while waiting for the tree crops to yield fruits and

harvested He expressed optimism that the project will succeed according to plans and pro-

grams laid out by the DENR technical people so that the country can enjoy a good and healthy

environment in the midst of a global climate change ( RPAO 13 Eric Gallego )

P 35-m mechanize seedling center

rises up in Bislig City

By Eric F Gallego

7 14

The City Government of Butuan City have officially proclaimed its consent to

share its 15204 -sqmeter (15 hectares) real estate property to the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources which is been utilized

by the DENR-13 Ecosystem Research and Development for the Macrosomat-

ic Clonal Propagation Complex at Sitio Buod Barangay Pinamangculan in

Butuan City since 2001

The move was made during the formal signing of the Memorandum of Agree-

ment between DENR-13 Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo and City

Mayor M Amante Jr in a simple ceremony held at the DENR clonal propa-

gation complex in that barangay on May 152014 Also present to witness the

event were Virgilio G Nery Chairman of the SP Committee on Environment

and Natural Resources City Administrator Leah A Mendoza Regional

Technical Director of DENR Research Ronill L Salac and the OIC CENR

Officer of Nasipit Norman Asungan

The city government had agreed that it shall recognize the existence of the

DENR Caraga Macrosomatic Clonal Nursery and support the DENR through providing assistance

in infrastructure and road buildings

The DENR on the other hand shall maintain the clonal nursery complex as well as

produce quality planting stocks of indigenous forest trees and other equally important species for

environment protection and rehabilitation It shall also support the city government in the

promotion of environment and natural resources development programs through provision of

technical assistance and high-quality planting materials

Director Tamayo said the complex will also serve as learning laboratory for students

and environmental science researchers He thanked the city government for sharing

responsibilities and resources with the DENR for effective implementation of environmental

activities in the city in support of Climate Change mitigation and adaptation program

Mayor Amante said the city government has envisioned to transform Butuan City

as Center of Forest in the country by 2020 Corollary to this vision of 1 million trees by 2020

the city government has started initiating tree planting activities in different areas ldquo

We are looking ahead that Butuan City will become a show window for sustainable forest-based

economy while Butuan enjoy a high-per capita incomerdquo

The City Mayor and RD Tamayor afterward proceeded to the planting site where they

planted seedling of Bagoadlau species ( Xanthostemon philippinesis ) The mayor also toured the

complex and expressed appreciation of the process of clonal procedure in seedling production

The clonal nursery was established in 2001 under the initiative of the late

Representative of the 1st District of Agusan del Norte Leovigildo Banaag (EFG)

Mayor Amante shares 15 hectare govrsquot land to the DENR

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014 KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014

In a remote village of Lucac in San Francisco Agusan del Sur the farm-

ers who belong to the Lucac Pilot Community Forest Beneficiaries

Association ( LUPICOMFOBA) are patiently waiting for the proper time

of harvest from the tree crops and falcata trees they have planted under the

National Greening Program ( NGP ) The farmers expect to earn a hefty

income from the crops and tree plantation which are enough to send their

children to school and perhaps pursue their dreams of finishing a college degree

from fine schools in Davao City or Butuan City

The NGP has found a way in that upland community of indigenous

people to find relief who for years have been trapped in the cycle of poverty

In fact most of the 40 member farmers of that association have been in one

way engaged in illegal logging activities to make both ends meet

ldquo At that time we were focused only on the survival otherwise

we will die in starvationrdquo Mario Crecensio said in an interview during the visit

of DENR OIC Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo with PENRO Roberto Oli-

veros and other DENR field personnel

ldquo I was impressed by the achievement made by this association since

their members have enrolled in the NGPrdquo Director Tamayo said

Since the LUPICOMFIRBA was organized in 2011 many things in

the lives of the farmers have changed Most of them according to Cresencio

have shunned timber poaching and focused themselves on farming

ldquo Wersquove got plenty of banana plantation here beside the other cropsrdquo Cres-

encio said The association is earning an average income of P 10000 every week

from the sale of bananas of ldquo lakatan ldquo variety

The members have cultivated part of the 1 000 hectares timberland that

the DENR had awarded to them for rehabilitation under the Community-Based

Forest Management Agreement ( CBFMA) in the year 2000

Crecencio said the members have developed about 292 hectares of

this awarded land and planted it with rubber trees ipil-ipil and kakawate trees for

fuel wood production Afterwards he said ldquo we expanded and planted the idle 40

hectare land with fast growing falcata trees ldquo The farmers then introduced the

ldquointercroppingrdquo farm technique to double their production

ldquo We never

thought twice when we learned of the NGP We availed of the program when a DENR extension

worker came to our village one day to promote the programrdquo he said

Crecensio has revisited his idle farm owned by his parents and planted the 20-hectare agricul-

tural land with falcata seedlings He expects to earn at least P 10 million from the harvest of falcata

three years from now

ldquo I guess we are now contented with this kind of living as compared in the past ldquo he said

Director Tamayo said ldquo the main essence of the NGP is to relieve the farmers from poverty

We are seeing this principle in this place ldquo

PENRO Oliveros said that the people used to look at the forest as a source of livelihood

hence illegal logging was considered as alternative to earn incomerdquo

But the NGP has totally changed that attitude ldquo The people in that village have learned to

adopt the concept of the NGP since every farmer who has a piece of land would now want to plant tree

seedlings blend with cash cropsrdquo PENRO Oliveros said ( RPAO 13 )

8 13

NGP licks poverty in Agusan del Sur By Eric Galleo and Christine Selanova

Butuan City-- Barring any complication in about four years from now the members of the of the Aclan River Farmers Cooperative

( ARFAMCO ) in Barangay Aclan Nasipit Agusan del Norte shall be richer by more than P30 million which is the fruits of their labor

under the National Greening Program ( NGP)

But looking back on those years that the mem-

bers have gone through are pictures of gloomy experi-

ences that most of them would always remember the

saga in life that they went through to survive Most

them were dependent from the Nasipit Lumber

Company ( NALCO) and enjoying comforts in life at the

peak of its operation in the 70rsquos But when the

company had ceased its operation due to bankruptcy

they became broke and resorted to illegal logging by

relentlessly cutting trees in plantation areas

maintained by the company It was a season when

poachers have their hey days raking tremendous earn-

ings from illegal activities

The time came when the DENR restricted the

laws on PD 705 and intensified its anti-illegal logging

campaign The idled ndash former workers of NALCO could no longer trade those undocu-

mented logs in the open market as easy as before Hence they resorted to farming

through slash and burn beside illegal logging

There was never a time when the forest plantation maintained by the defunct

NALCO was seriously threatened with wanton destruction than the farmers arming

themselves with axes and sharp boloes to cut the trees for income and burn the soil so

they can plant agricultural crops ldquo Hunger stalked upon us and we need to survive from starvationrdquo Norlito T Saylon President of

the ARFAMCO said ldquo We gained at first attempt but ended up in a situation much worst than the previous years owing to unproductive landsrdquo

Saylon said ldquo We became more poorer desperate and often wanting in needs but we can not do otherwise except resort to illegal cutting to

surviverdquo he added

He said his peers were relieved when they heard of the National Greening Program ( NGP) of President Benigno S Aquino ldquo We were

happy after an extension worker from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office ( CENRO) in Nasipit Agusan del Norte came

to our community in 2011 and offered us the chance to participate in the NGP program rdquo Saylon said

He said that they have realize then that the NGP program is good because it addresses the specific needs of their group He said there

were several livelihood opportunities available in the past years that were offered by several government agencies but the NGP is better rdquo

Saylon said To Page 18

Poor farmers get richer by P 30 million

from NGP in Aclan Nasipit Agusan del Norte

By Eric Herzon F Gallego

NORLITO T SAYLON

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014 KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN January to June 2014

The DENR through the Land Management Services has acquired the services of CM ESPARRAGO SURVEYING SERVICES for the cadastral survey project of two municipalities in Surigao del Norte and Surigao City for a contract price of P 5737776 The amount will be spent in the survey of the political boundaries of Surigao City and the municipalities of Sta Monica and Dapa in Surigao del Norte DENR 13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M Tamayo has formalized the deal through the Contract of Agreement ( CoA) he signed with Engr Cristopher M Esparrago in a simple ceremony held the REDrsquos office on February 062014 The signing was also witnessed by the Regional Technical Director for Land Management Services ( LMS) Atty Paquito R Rosal and the Regional Cadastral Survey Projects Coordinator at the DENR-LMS Engr Bernard A Daitol Dapa Surigao del Norte has 140 political boundaries and 47 points along rivers and shorelines Sta Monica Surigao del Norte has 55 estimated political boundaries and 18 points along rivers and shore-lines Surigao City on the other hand has 154 political boundaries and 17 points along rivers and shoreline Under the contract the CM Esparrago Surveying Services shall complete and execute the cadastral survey of political boundaries of the said municipalities and Surigao City in at least one year time

A cadastral survey[1]

or cadastral map is a comprehensive register of the real estate or real propertys metes-and-bounds of a country It commonly includes details of the ownership the tenure the precise location (some include GPS coordinates) the dimensions (and area) the cultivations if rural and the value of individual parcels of land Cadastres are used by many nations around the world

[1] some in con-

junction with other records such as a title register

In most countries legal systems have developed around the original administrative systems and use the cadastre to define the di-mensions and location of land parcels described in legal documentation The cadastre is a fundamental source of data in disputes and lawsuits between landowners

DENR finalizes Master Plan for Agusan River

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 13 Office has hired the

services of the Lichel Technologies Inc for P4950 million to finalize the Master Plan

of the Agusan River Basin (ARB) program

DENR-13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M Tamayo signed the Contract

of Agreement with the Managing Director of the Lichel Technologies Inc Rachel A Vasquez

in a simple ceremony held at the DENR Regional Conference Room in Barangay Ambago Butuan

City on Tuesday (March 18 2014 )

The scope of works as defined in the agreement involve preparations of work and

financial plan an outline of the updated enhanced Agusan River Basin Master Plan generation

of primary data undertake surveys interviews and fieldworks integrate commends and recommen-

dations generated from series of consultations and workshop with provinces cities regional tech-

nical working groups regional development councils indigenous cultural and tribal communities

conduct analysis on the conflicting tenurial claims and mining tenements employ GIS and remote

sensing technology in the analysis of the basinrsquos condition identification of development interven-

tions Bio-physical assessment by sub-basin disaster risk assessment and climate change

vulnerability assessment land use analysis by sub basin specific for flooding flood modelling

using 100 years hydro-meteorological data and re-packaging of the master plan among others

9 12

ldquo The heroic act of PNP personnel and the DENR

personnel at the forefront of the anti-illegal log-

ging campaign is laudable and exceptional for

the DENR top management recognized their

sacrfices and contributions in the campaign rdquo he

said

ldquo Incidents of Illegal logging in Caraga

region are steadily going down owing to the inten-

sive police and military campaign which prompt

timber poacher and smugglers to pause and think

twice with their illegal activities rdquo Director

Tamayo said

During the occasion the DENR gave

certificates of recognition and P 100000 cash

incentive each to PO2 Arwin F Dela Cruz PO1

Sherwin Clyde M Castrodes PO1 Alejandro M

Intas of the 1st Company Regional Police Securi-

ty Batallion They were with the team of DENR

personnel trying to retrieve several pieces of ille-

gal logs in Barobo Surigao del Sur recently when

DENR seeks police assistance in monitoring of

closed vans with illegal forest products

KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN

The Police and the Philippine Army have been asked to tighten its monitoring

on the closed vans and trucks that are traversing the major highways to Davao fol-

lowing reports that they are carrying lumber products of banned species

ldquo Wersquove been informed that timber poachers are processing illegally-cut logs

of banned species a into small pieces materials from a secluded area which are then

placed on closed vans before they are transported to a plywood processing plants in

Davao City Cebu and Manila for plywood materialsrdquo Regional Director Nonito M

Tamayo said

At present all the wood processing plants in cities of Butuan and Cagayan de

Oro are using falcata gubas or acacia mangium species for their plywood production

because of the prevailing ban on cutting of hardwoods by virtue of Executive Order

No 23

Reports said however that some plywood plant operators in some areas of Mindanao are buying these illegal products from

unscrupulous poachers ldquoWe are finding difficulty in monitoring the movement of these undocumented forest products after they are

put on sealed vans ldquo Tamayo said

FROM PAGE 6 hellip DENR Commends PNP-13

DENR conducts survey of political boundaries in Surigao City Dapa and Sta Monica in Surgao del Norte

Butuan City ndash A worker a mining area in Tubay Agusan del Norte rescued a juvenile Frigate bird in March 2014 and

turn it over to the DENR authorities ldquo The bird appeared to be exhausted and trying to regain its strength from

a long flight ldquo Roed Nakila a mining worker said

ldquo We thought it was dead but when we got near the bird is struggling so we took it to our shelter ldquo he said

ldquoItrsquos was the first time I saw that kind of bird ldquo Nakila said adding he was tempted on keeping it as pet

The juvenile frigate bird measures 94 centimeters with a wingspan of 198 centimeters It weighs about 500

grams The Frigate birds are a family of seabirds also known as frigate pelicans It can be found breeding along the

Pacific coast of Costa Rica particularly at the Corcovado National Park An adult Frigate birds measures 1 meter long

with a 215 meter wingspan The males have a red pouch that is inflated during the breeding season to attract a mate

Females are black but have a white breast and lower neck sides a brown band on the wings and a blue eye ring

They lack the ability to take off from water so they snatch prey from the ocean surface or beach using their long hooked bills Frigate birds are

seasonally monogamous which means they only mate with one female per season

Frigate birds are not classified as an endangered species but populations appear to be declining mainly due to human destruction of habitat for housing

and resorts and disturbance in colonies Introducing predators on islands and over-fishing are also potential problems They spend days and nights on the air with

an average ground speed of 10 kmhour covering 223 km before landing

DENR -13 Protected Area and Wildlife has declared the juvenile Frigate to be in good condition after it was examined at the Regional Animal Disease

Diagnostic Lab at Barangay Taguibo Butuan City ( EFG)

Mining worker saves a juvenile Frigate bird

January to June 2014 January to June 2014

The employees of the DENR Region 13 have successfully con-

cluded the Environment Month Celebration on Monday with the

call of readiness in the face of the Global Climate Change amid

funs and games and talent competition held at the DENR 13 Cov-

ered Court in Barangay Ambago Butuan City on June 30 2014

28 individuals including seven companies and local gov-

ernment units were given Certificates of Recognition as ldquo Envi-

ronmental Heroesrdquo for their untainted support to the programs of

the DENR in particular the Anti- Illegal Logging Campaign and

the National Greening Program (NGP)

ldquo I wish to thank all those individuals companies local government units the Philippine National Police and the Philippine

Army under the 4th Infantry Division who help in pursuing the goals and programs of the DENR with the objective of uplifting the living condition of the people in

the uplands and remote mountain villagesrsquo Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo said in his remarks at the culmination program

Amidst the celebration however Director Tamayo reminded the people to take extra careful of the danger pose by the rising sea level owing to intense ef-

fect of Global Warming that also triggers Global Climate Change

Although it was not his intention to spoil the party Director Tamayo nevertheless reminded the audience about the recent disaster in provinces of Leyte Sa-

mar and other provinces in the Eastern Visayas hit by Typhoon Yolanda in November 8 last year which claimed hundreds of human lives and destroyed billion of

pesos worth of infrastructure agriculture schools buildings and houses could happen again in the days ahead ldquo This is the new normal disaster where you can see

storm surges caused by strong typhoonsrdquo Tamayo said

ldquo It would be best for all of us particularly those people living along the coastal areas to be ready and prepared all the time since our guarantee of our safety is

uncertain in the face of the climate changerdquo he said

January to June 2014 January to June 2014 KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN KASIKAS SA KINAIYAHAN 10 11

ldquo When you see a standing tree ponder on the crucial role it plays in carbon dioxide sequestrationrdquo by

DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M Tamayo said on the opening salvo of the Environment Month celebration

ldquo Trees provide a very important role in carbon dioxide sequestration the so -called major factor in the

global warming of the earth ldquo he said as the DENR employees prepares to hold a motorcade on Thursday June 5

from Butuan City to Calac-an Magallanes Agusan del Norte to drumbeat the World Environment Day with the

theme ldquo Raise your voice not the sea levelrdquo The partici-

pants in motorcade have planted mangrove at the

shorelines of Magallanes on that day

Director Tamayo said folk in the hinterlands often

see the trees as source of livelihood when they cut and sell

them to the wood processing plants for money to survive ldquo

But little did they know that the trees play a crucial

role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

through the natural process of photosynthesis and store the

carbon in their leaves branches stems barks and rootsrdquo

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural greenhouse gas

in the atmosphere partly responsible for the earthrsquos

relatively stable climate It is a lsquogreenhousersquo gas because it

traps heat near the earth surface contributing to [observed

and predicted] global warming

He said human activities especially the burning of

fossil fuels such as coals and oil and destruction of natural

forest are greatly increasing the level of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Based on scientist findings the

level of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased last century from 284 parts per million in 1832 to about 387

parts per million in 2009 Other gases that have much greater warming impact than carbon dioxide are

methane and nitrous oxide

Tamayo said the DENR has been issuing various warnings in the past that the Philippines is likely to

experience more extreme weather patterns with higher average temperatures possibly long heatwaves and

minimal rainfall if the Greenhouse Effect proceeds as predicted

He said the trees have good uses in arresting Carbon dioxide emissions and therefore the people

should be encouraged to increase the area of forest and tree plantations ldquo Natural and planted forest act as

sink for absorbing CO2 from the atmosphererdquo Director Tamayo said

Director Tamayo said the people should support the National Greening Program (NGP) being implemented through the DENR The program seeks to plant

15 billion seedlings in 15 million hectares of timberlands nationwide from 2011 to 2016

He cited an Australian Greenhouse Office report that ldquo trees in forest ( including plantations) if well-stocked typically sequester carbon at a maximum

rate between about age 10 and age 20-30 As an indication the report says that at age 30 years about 200 to 520 tonnes Carbon dioxide equivalent are sequestered

per hectare in the forestrdquo

ldquo After this age if the trees are not harvested the report says ldquo the sequestration rate slows gradually until maturity of about 80 to 100 years of age and

flattens out from then on as growth is balanced by decayrdquo

Director Tamayo said the people therefore is encouraged to support the reforestation program of the government through the NGP

He said that based on scientific findings ldquo reforesting cleared areas will create carbon sinks to counteract greenhouse gas emissions and will assist in other aspects of

environmental improvement such as salinity control and creation of wildlife habitatrdquo

Bitaog The Philippine Centennial Tree

ldquo When you see a standing tree think about its crucial role rdquo The 2014 Environment Month celebration

Laro ng Lahi RPAO Chief Eric Gallego The contestant

PENRO Obet Oliveros CENRO Luis Gonzaga

Atty Jun Nistal Chief Legal PENROs Zaldy Perater and Rosendo Asunto