Kasikas January-March 2015

Official Newsletter Publication of DENR-Caraga • January - March 2015

D ENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo visited a senior folk at the

remote barangay of Sangay in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte to commend him for a successful endeavor in maintaining a perfect survival rating of the tree seedlings that he planted through the National Greening Program (NGP).

A complete transformation from being notorious timber poachers into defenders and protectors of

forest by a group of lumads in Barangay Padi-ay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur is unfolding before the eyes of the DENR 13 officials as offshoot of the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government.

“I am happy to know that the NGP has able to change the behavior and attitude of a group of Indigenous People known for their notoriety as illegal loggers and poachers,” DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo said.

ERDS to ERDBERDS to ERDBERDS to ERDB turnturnturn---overoverover

ANHS turnANHS turnANHS turn--- over Pythonover Pythonover Python

CMMD orients CMMD orients CMMD orients on SCREMPon SCREMPon SCREMP

DENR inks MOADENR inks MOADENR inks MOA with DPWH...with DPWH...with DPWH...

continued on page 10 continued on page 17

continued on page 12

Inside this issueInside this issueInside this issue

P rovincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Dinagat

Islands has inaugurated its new three-storey office building in Barangay Sta. Cruz, San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands last February 6, 2015 as part of their 2nd year Anniversary.

PENRO Dinagat PENRO Dinagat PENRO Dinagat inaugurates new buildinginaugurates new buildinginaugurates new building

RD Tamayo visits 82RD Tamayo visits 82RD Tamayo visits 82---yearyearyear---old NGP beneficiaryold NGP beneficiaryold NGP beneficiary

TreeVolution TreeVolution TreeVolution World RecordWorld RecordWorld Record

P70M for man-P70M for man-P70M for man-grove rehabgrove rehabgrove rehab

Caraga NGP Caraga NGP Caraga NGP UpdatesUpdatesUpdates

NGP NGP NGP transformstransformstransforms life of timber life of timber life of timber poacher to forest defenderpoacher to forest defenderpoacher to forest defender

NGP NGP NGP transformstransformstransforms life of timber life of timber life of timber poacher to forest defenderpoacher to forest defenderpoacher to forest defender

January - March 2015 2

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS

NONITO M. TAMAYO, CESO IVNONITO M. TAMAYO, CESO IVNONITO M. TAMAYO, CESO IV Regional Director

ENGR. PAQUITO D. MELICOR, JR.ENGR. PAQUITO D. MELICOR, JR.ENGR. PAQUITO D. MELICOR, JR.

ARD for Management Services

ATTY. PAQUITO R. ROSALATTY. PAQUITO R. ROSALATTY. PAQUITO R. ROSAL ARD for Technical Services

EDITORIAL STAFF

ERIC HERSON F. GALLEGOERIC HERSON F. GALLEGOERIC HERSON F. GALLEGO Editor-in-Chief

MARIA CATHERINE M. GONZAGA

Associate Editor

JOHNY S. NATAD Lay-out Editor

PENRO, CENRO and Division Chiefs

Contributing Editors ————————————————— The “Kasikas sa Kinaiyahan” is an official newsletter publication of DENR-Caraga with its editorial office 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 comments and reaction through e-mail at [email protected].

Working for NGP’s Working for NGP’s Working for NGP’s mission amidst mission amidst mission amidst rationalizationrationalizationrationalization

C araga’s environmental and natural resources government institutions are working with optimistic target to plant some

11,948,600 seedlings in a total of 16,591 hectares with-in the five provinces for 2015 as part of the continuous implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP). This is to contribute to the NGPs national target of planting some 1.5 billion trees to an estimated of 1.5 million hectares of public lands for six years from 2011 to 2016 entire Philippines.

The NGP target is a very challenging endeavor for everyone especially that the entire DENR organiza-tion is also on the implementation of the rationalization plan. Nevertheless, DENR shall continue to aim high to achieve its target while the organization undergoes restructuring and reform. It has been in the heart of the DENR people that environmental concern and action for the attainment of sustainable human development, and economic and ecological security, which is the main vision and mission of NGP will be realized.

For DENR Caraga, the NGP target for this year is very challenging. However, with the help and commit-ment of different stakeholders, the target will be accomplished. Working and partnering with multi-stakeholders in the region has been proved to be very significant and effective. In fact the successful TreeVolution Greening Mindanao which got Guinness World Record to 2.29 million seedlings across 29 locations in Mindanao on September 26, 2014 was the evidence of good partnership and active dedication among various stakeholders. Caraganons have contributed about 542,065 seedlings planted in at least 1,169.63 hectares under the TreeVolution. With this, the DENR-13 management is very optimistic to reach and even exceed the NGP target.

Meanwhile, the implementation of DENR rationalization plan is a very significant contributory fac-tor in the success of the NGP targets. The people in the DENR will be more inspired and dedicated to work not only for the NGP but to all programs of the agency once the DENR’s restructuring and reform will be completely implemented. ▄

3

Sec Paje signs ARD designations for DENR Caraga

by: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

Under the new organizational set-up of the DENR Rationalization Plan, the DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje through Undersecretary for Field Operations, Demetrio L. Ignacio, Jr. has released the special orders designating Engr. Paquito D. Melicor Jr. as the OIC, Assistant Regional Director for Management Services and Atty. Paquito R. Rosal as the Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services.

Based on special orders no. 2015-47 and 2015-51 dated January 9, 2015, the newly designated Assistant Regional Directors shall report immediately to their new place of assignment after clearance with

DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo, welcomes Engr. Pacquito D. Melicor,Jr. as the new Assistant Regional Director for Management Services under the new organizational setup of the on-going Rationalization Plan at a simple ceremony held at the DENR Learning Center in Butuan City on January 20,2015. The Ceremony was also witnessed by Maritess Ocampo, Regional Technical Director for Forest Management Services, Ronilo Salac, RTD for Research and Mines and GeoSciences Bureau Regional Director Daniel Belderol (Photo by RPAO 13 Catherine Gonzaga)▄

New DENR 13 Assistant Director for New DENR 13 Assistant Director for New DENR 13 Assistant Director for Management Services assumes postManagement Services assumes postManagement Services assumes post

previous assignment. The designation was made as part of the structural reforms being implemented by the department.

Engr. Paquito D. Melicor Jr. is the current Regional Technical Director for Land Management Services in Region 10 while Atty. Paquito R. Rosal is the current Regional Technical Director for Land Management Services in Caraga Region-13.

The turn-over of duties and responsibilities to the new Assistant Regional Directors will commence today, January 20, 2015, one o’clock in the afternoon at the DENR Regional Training Center, Barangay Ambago, Butuan City. ▄


DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo has officially turned over the records, documents and other properties of the Ecosystems Research and Development Services (ERDS) to Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) Acting Director Henry A. Adornado at a simple ceremony held at the DENR Learning Center in Butuan City on March 17, 2015.

The event was attended by Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Engr. Paquito D. Melicor Jr. who delivered a welcome remark and the personnel from the DENR regional office including the work-force of the ERDS office.

With the turn-over by the DENR to the ERDB, the ERDS would now be convert-ed to a clustered research center under the management of the ERDB. ERDS Caraga would now be one of the six (6) research centers in the Philippines called “Forest and Timber Resources Research Center (FTRRC).” ERDS XIII is clustered with ERDS IX and X. These changes were made

DENR Caraga officially turns over ERDS to ERDBDENR Caraga officially turns over ERDS to ERDBDENR Caraga officially turns over ERDS to ERDB By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

as compliance to DENR Administrative Order 2014-01 stating the adoption of the new DENR organizational structure pursuant to Executive Order 366 and the rationalization plan duly approved by the DBM.

“This turn-over does not mean that we will be totally parting ways, we are still under the same umbrella. We will still protect and conserve the environment hand in hand. Research would always be part of the DENR regional office and it would always be of big help to us,” RD Tamayo said.

The regional director added that ERDS will always have a space at the DENR Caraga compound and would always be welcome anytime of the day. “ERDS would always get the full support from our management,” he said.

The Research Center will be located at Bislig City, Surigao del Sur under the supervision of their own Center Head.

The event ended with the inauguration of the Mindanao Tree Seed Center and staff house at Maharlika, Bislig City. ▄

OIC Director Henry A. Adornado (center) of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) receives the documents including manpower complements of the ERDS Caraga Region from DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo (left) and Assistant Regional Director for Management Services, Engr. Paquito D. Melicor Jr. (right) during a simple ceremony held at the DENR Regional Learning Center. The ERDS has been absorbed by its mother unit ERDB as part of the on-going rationalization plan of the DENR. (Photo by RPAO 13 Catherine Gonzaga) ▄

5

Three field offices of the DENR in Caraga Region have been abolished and absorbed by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) following the full implementation of the rationalization plan of the agency this year.

Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo made the announcement after an urgent conference with the members of his Executive Committee at his office on Tuesday.

He said the DENR is shifting to the new organizational structure pursuant to the Rationalization Plan.

The Undersecretary for Field Operations Demetrio L. Ignacio, Jr. has issued instruction on January 7, 2015 to the Regional Directors except the National Capital Region to enforce the new structure.

New DENR organizational structure abolishesNew DENR organizational structure abolishesNew DENR organizational structure abolishes three CENR Offices in Caraga three CENR Offices in Caraga three CENR Offices in Caraga

He said the office of CENRO Tandag in Surigao del Sur, CENRO San Francisco in Agusan del Sur and CENRO Dapa in Surigao del Norte shall cease to operate starting February 1, 2015 since they will no longer be provided with budget for overhead and other related expenses. The affected personnel shall be absorbed by the PENRO office to ensure a smooth transition in operation.

Meanwhile, the personnel of the CENR office in Surigao City which is also co-located with the PENRO Surigao del Norte were likewise advised to relocate their office in Placer.

Director Tamayo has advised the peo-ple particularly the stakeholders and clients of the DENR in these affected areas to transact their business at the PENRO offices. ▄

DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo meets his senior staff to discuss about issues on

the implementation of the Rationalization Plan and the dissolution of three CENR offices in Dapa,

Surigao del Norte, Tandag, Surigao del Sur and San Francisco, Agusan del Sur held at the DENR

Regional Conference Room in Butuan City on Monday. (Photo by Eric Gallego , RPAO 13) ▄

DENR 13 execom meets, deliberates rat planDENR 13 execom meets, deliberates rat planDENR 13 execom meets, deliberates rat plan


The Forest Management Sector (FMS) of the DENR 13 (Caraga) has reported the accomplishment of the National Greening Program (NGP) about tree seedlings that were pro-duced and planted in 2011 and 2012 covering a total area of 4,514.41 hectares and 8,503.83 hectares respectively in several planting sites throughout the region. The program however, suffered setback in 2013 which is about 20 percent short from its target planting area of 12,122 hectares. Based on record several Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) have been found to have underestimated the planting sites. “There is a backlog in 2013” the report said. A team that evaluated and assessed several planting areas in Agusan del Sur said the report made in 2013 was only 81 percent survival rating.

Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo has directed the personnel of the Forestry Management Services under the OIC, Regional Technical Director Maritess Ocampo to revisit those areas which were found to have low survival rate. “The people’s organization in these areas must be asked to replenish the dead seedlings with new one and complete the remaining areas to be planted” Director Tamayo said.

He said the OIC, PENRO of Agusan del Sur Roberto Oliveros and the four CENR officers under his jurisdiction have committed to replant the remaining areas with backlogs to keep with the target made in 2013.

A group from the DENR Central Office is expected to visit the planting sites of the NGP in the five provinces of the region to determine the veracity of the report about the accomplishment made in previous years since President Benigno S. Aquino III imposed the NGP in 2011 through Executive Order No. 23. (EFG) ▄

DENR FMS 13 reports NGP accomplishmentDENR FMS 13 reports NGP accomplishmentDENR FMS 13 reports NGP accomplishment

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DENR Caraga targets DENR Caraga targets DENR Caraga targets 16,591 hectares for NGP 16,591 hectares for NGP 16,591 hectares for NGP

201520152015 By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Caraga targets to plant 11,948,600 seedlings in a total of 16,591 hectares of land all over its five provinces under the National Greening Program for 2015.

Agusan del Norte is set to plant 2,229,900 seedlings in a total of 2,998 hectares of land while Agusan del Sur aims to plant 5,190,000 seedlings in a total of 7,705 hectares. On the other hand, Surigao del Sur committed 2,809,400 seedlings to be planted in a total of 4,274 hectares and Surigao del Norte targets a total of 782,200 seedlings for 1,341 hectares land area. Added to this is the Dinagat Province which targets to plant 136,500 seedlings in a total of 273 hectares of land.

The National Greening Program aims to plant 1.5 billion seedlings in a total of 1.5 million hectares of land all over the country from 2011 to 2016. As of 2014, the DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said that the department is 11.6 percent above target. In the entire country, a total of 1,005,013 hectares were already developed out of the actual target of 900,000 hectares from 2011 to 2014.

“We are doing well in terms of our National Greening Program here in Caraga. With the utmost cooperation of our partners, the beneficiaries, the Local Government Units and the DENR employees, we expect that attaining or even exceeding our target for this program will surely be possible” DENR-13

Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo said. ▄

Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo commended the employees of the DENR 13 for the accomplishments of major work targets last year as he encouraged more improvement.

Director Tamayo made the remarks at the regular Monday Convocation program at the DENR Regional Office covered court in Barangay Ambago, Butuan City.

He said the accomplishment of the different sectors and the field offices particularly on the National Greening Program, anti-illegal logging, cadastral survey and geo-hazards mapping last year was very satisfactory.

Director Tamayo said, however, there are more works to be done particularly about NGP with backlogs in some areas planted with seed-lings. “We need to revisit those areas again and guide the members of the organizations involved to replenish those dead seedlings with new ones in meeting with the target” he said.

Secretary Ramon JP Paje has likewise recognized the accomplishments made by the DENR and congratulated all the DENR employees nationwide for the milestone reached.

The DENR Secretary cited the NGP accomplishment throughout the country which is 11.6 percent above target. He said the DENR employees under the program have reforested 1,005,013 hectares out of the target of 900,000 hectares from 2011 to 2014. “We have also completed 86.84 percent of the cadastral survey nationwide and expected to finish this year”.

The DENR also completed the 1:10,000 scale geo-hazard mapping and all map sheets will be finalized by the end of this year. (EFG) ▄

DENR 13 Exec commends DENR 13 Exec commends DENR 13 Exec commends

employees for 2014 employees for 2014 employees for 2014

accomplished work targetsaccomplished work targetsaccomplished work targets

201120112011---2014 NGP Accomplishment in Caraga2014 NGP Accomplishment in Caraga2014 NGP Accomplishment in Caraga

Year Target Area (Hectares)

Area Developed (Hectares)

Seedlings Planted

2011 5,000.00 5,025.70 2,521659

2012 11,235.00 10,099.23 7,304,044

2013 17,569.41 18,452.19 9,064,885

2014 16,806.00 16,422.00 8,854,667

Grand Total 50,610.41 49,999.12 27,745,255

Source: NGP Caraga/ DENR-13-Forest Management Sector Conservation Development Division


DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo congratulated the people of Caraga as he expressed elation over the confirma-tion of the Guinness World record-breaking “TreeVolution: Greening Mindanao”.

“We made it at the Guinness World Record due to the overwhelming support provided by the people” Director Tamayo said.

The Guinness World Record has recognized the 122,168 participants who simultaneously planted 2.29 million seed-lings across 29 locations in Mindanao on September 26 last year, surpassing the previous record of 1.9 million trees planted by India in 2011.

DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje had already sent his congratulations earlier to the Regional Directors in Mindanao. He said the record-breaking event was “a big step forward in restoring Mindanao’s rapidly-dwindling forest cover and fighting climate change”.

In Caraga Region, at least 1,169.63 hectares were planted with about 542,065 seedlings under the TreeVolution Greening Mindanao in multiple locations.

“More than setting the now-confirmed world record, we will always consider TreeVolution as a big step taken by Mindanao residents themselves in

re-greening their landscape to help mitigate climate change and protect themselves against its diverse impacts” Secretary Paje said.

Director Tamayo said this massive tree planting activity held in various locations in Mindanao gave us a strong message that “we can restore the dwindling forest through unity of the people”.

He said the National Greening Program (NGP) being implemented over six years starting 2011 has a target of 1.5 billion tree seedlings planted in 1.5 million hectares until 2016. As of January 2015, DENR records show that of 1,005,013 hectares have been reforested.

Director Tamayo thanked all those who participated in the TreeVolution’s massive tree planting. He also lauded the commitment of the governors, mayors, the private sectors, students, the teachers, government employees, police and the Philippine Army who joined the event.

He said the trees, if cared properly, would grow and will benefit our children particularly on the impact of the climate change. He said the importance of trees is that they sequester carbon which greatly contributes to global warming and climate change. The trees also stabilize soil, provide food and livelihood and recharge acquifers among its many functions. ▄

DENR exec congratulates CaraganonsDENR exec congratulates CaraganonsDENR exec congratulates Caraganons over worldover worldover world---record breaking TreeVolutionrecord breaking TreeVolutionrecord breaking TreeVolution

“The most trees planted simultaneous-ly at multiple locations is 2,294,629,

achieved by 122,168 participants in an

event organized by T r e e V o l u t i o n : G r e e n i n g

M i n d a N O W (Philippines) at 29

locations across the Philippines on 26

September 2014,” the Guinness World Records.

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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional office headed by Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Nasipit conducted tree planting and coastal clean-up activities simultaneously along the beaches of Buenavista, Nasipit, and Carmen in Agusan del Norte in celebration of the International Day of Forests with the theme “Forests | Climate | Change.”

To give meaning to the celebration, each participant was required to plant 21 seedlings to symbolize the annual celebration of the International Day of Forests which is every 21st day of March.

The activity which was initiated by CENRO Norman Asugan began at 5 am, participated by more than 300 individuals including the DENR personnel, Local Government Units, fisherfolks, private sectors, non-government organizations, and young volunteers.

A total of 15,880 seedlings of Rhizopora, Brugeria, Talisay, and other Indigenous species were planted in a total land area of 7.52 hectares. The participants

DENR Caraga initiates simultaneous DENR Caraga initiates simultaneous DENR Caraga initiates simultaneous tree planting activitytree planting activitytree planting activity

By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

also conducted clean-up in the 4 beaches and collected 183 kilograms of non-biodegradable wastes.

RD Tamayo said “This activity is a good start for the region’s contribution to the 1 Billion Peso Mangrove Rehabilitation Project of the agency.” He said a total of 14,880 mangrove propagules were planted in those different sites. “These mangroves would be our first line of defense against natural calamities such as storm surge” he said.

The International Day of Forests (IDF) was observed for the first time on March 21, 2013 thru a resolution established by United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012. This year’s IDF theme emphasizes the ways in which forests and climate change are linked and to gain support in the advocacy to make greater actions to create change.

“We should initiate more activities like this as contribution to the adaptation and mitigation measures that we are doing to cushion the impact of climate change. Forests sustain life on earth and therefore the protection of forests must be considered over and above our daily chores” Director Tamayo said. ▄

Participants during the simultaneous tree planting and coastal clean-up activities along the beaches of Buenavista, Nasipit, and Carmen in Agusan del Norte in celebration of the International Day of Forests on March 21, 2015. ▄


The DENR official congratulated Juan Acero Galon, 82 years old and his wife Teofila for the 100 percent survival rating of the falcata seedlings on their one-hectare farm. “This is the essence of the NGP, which is to reduce poverty in the countryside by giving them the means to earn income,” Director Tamayo said. The other goals of the NGP are to promote food security, environmental stability, biodiversity conservation, and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation. “My wife and I are happy that we were able to participate in the NGP” Galon said. “We expect to earn income from those falcata trees once they mature in about six years from now,” he said. Mang Juan as he is fondly called by his peers admitted he can hardly afford to provide decent meal for his nine children before he joined the program. “The NGP helped us sustain our daily needs,” he said. Mang Juan is an active member of the Sangay Watershed Planters Association (SAWAPA) People’s Organization. The association maintains 58 hectares of falcata plantation under the NGP. The program taught him to diversify his tree farm through planting cash crops such as banana and corn although he opted for banana. “This is where we get our income to survive while waiting for the falcata to mature,” Mang Juan said. The elder couple which will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary this year can still outrun the much younger age in hiking uphill and manage to work in the farm from sunrise to sunset. “This is the secret of long life, which is to live a healthy lifestyle in a clean environment,” Mang Juan said. Director Tamayo said the couple is a role model of NGP who despite their advance age could maintain a 100 percent survival rate of the tree seedlings that they have planted. “NGP is more than climate change mitigation,” he said. “The program helps the people in any possible way it can to give the people in the hinterlands a better living condition,” Director Tamayo said. He said the DENR is happy to note that there are people like Mang Juan who are dedicated in pursuing the success of the NGP.

DENR Caraga Regional Director visits DENR Caraga Regional Director visits DENR Caraga Regional Director visits 828282---yearyearyear---old NGP beneficiary old NGP beneficiary old NGP beneficiary (from page 1)(from page 1)(from page 1)


DENR Regional Director Nonito Tamayo visited an 82-year-old 2013 National Greening Program beneficiary which he believes is a man behind one of the successful program sites in the region as he maintains the 100 survival rate of his area.

Juan Acero Galon amidst his age has been able to maintain the 100 percent survival rate of his one hectare falcata plantation at Sitio Tapnige, Barangay Sangay, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. “I, together with my 82-year-old wife, Teofila, was maintaining this land. We have 12 children, three of them already passed away. NGP helps us through our day to day living. This is where we get money to be able to buy rice. It is absolutely a big help,” Galon said. “In our 82 years of existence and 59 years of married life, we both believe that the secret to a longer life is a healthy lifestyle and surrounding, NGP does help us on this. Through planting it seems that we are gaining back our energy,” he added.

According to RD Tamayo, beneficiaries like Mr. Galon are the ones who put essence to the projects of DENR. “NGP was created by the government not just because of mitigation and adaptation measures due to climate change but also to be able to help the people in any possible way it can for the betterment of their living conditions. I am truly glad that we have beneficiaries like Mr. Galon who amidst his age is very dedicated in pursuing this project,” he said. Mr. and Mrs. Galon were members of the Sangay Watershed Planters Association (SAWAPA) People’s Organization. This 12-year-old organization has 68 active members and is headed by Chairman Immaculada C. Sumagid. Under the NGP, SAWAPA has a total of 30 hectares in 2013 and 28 hectares in 2012. “We think we can already harvest six years from now and we are expecting to gain an estimate of 2,500 pesos per tree” Chairman Sumagid said. ▄

“My wife and I are happy that we were able to participate in the NGP” Galon said. “We expect to earn income from those falcata trees once they mature in about six years from now,” he said

11

Age does not matter in NGP. DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo commends Juan Acero Galon, an 82-year-old NGP beneficiary at Barangay Sangay in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte for a successful endeavor in maintaining a perfect survival rating of the tree seedlings that he planted through the National Greening Program (NGP) during his visit at the site on March 11, 2015. (Photo by Catherine Gonzaga -RPAO Staff) ▄

“My wife and I are happy that we were able to participate in the NGP” Galon said. “We expect to earn income from those falcata trees once they mature in about six years from now,” he said

The DENR has entered into an agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw, Inc. (BALAOD Mindanaw) and the LGUs of Loreto, Libjo and Tubajon in Dinagat Province on February 6, 2015 for the implementation of the project “From Patronage to Empowerment” of Typhoon Yolanda victims in that province.

DENR inks MOA with DPWH, BALAOD Mindanaw, DENR inks MOA with DPWH, BALAOD Mindanaw, DENR inks MOA with DPWH, BALAOD Mindanaw, Dinagat LGUs for Typhoon Yolanda victimsDinagat LGUs for Typhoon Yolanda victimsDinagat LGUs for Typhoon Yolanda victims


PENR Officer Agapito Patubo said the DENR under the agreement has donated 34.58 cubic meters of logs to the LGU of Tubajon; 34.58 cubic meters of logs to the LGU of Loreto and 966.37 board feet of lumber to the LGU of Libjo for the construction of houses and other facilities for the typhoon Yolanda victims who are still confined on temporary shelters within the danger zone.

continued on page 15 | DENR inks MOA


NGP transforms life of timber poacher to forest defender in Sibagat, Agusan SurNGP transforms life of timber poacher to forest defender in Sibagat, Agusan SurNGP transforms life of timber poacher to forest defender in Sibagat, Agusan Sur from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 By Eric F. Gallego

Director Tamayo commends the Sibagat Federation of Tribal Community Agro Farmers Development Association, Inc. (SFTCAFDAI), a group of 21 People’s Organizations headed by Arnold M. Acebido also known as Datu Subang who called on him at his office to personally convey the agreement reached by the leaders of the federation in the “pulong-pulong” they conducted that night. The federa-tion, in a show of sincerity and appreciation to the NGP, would like to confer upon DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje and Director Tamayo the title of “Datu” and “adopted brothers” of the Manobo tribe under the jurisdictions of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) No. 116 covering 20,000 hectares and CADT 039 covering an area of 51,000 hectares.

According to Datu Subang their lives have been changed completely to better owing to the NGP of Secretary Paje.

He said “the whole members and families of the Manobo indigenous people of the two CADTs are forever grateful to Secretary Paje who introduced the program to the tribe through the DENR Regional officials led by Director Tamayo”.

“We thought in previous years that no government program was good enough to solve our financial needs until the implementa-tion of NGP in our area proved us wrong,” Datu Subang said. “We realized the NGP is more beneficial,” he said.

Datu Subang is now maintaining a 70-hectares coffee plantation in barangay Padi-ay,

where virgin forests are still intact. “Realizing that I am being left behind among my neighbors of the packages of opportunities to earn income through the NGP offered by the DENR, I finally joined the stream,” he said.

He said new learnings about business opportunities through cash crop plantation like coffee was shared by Senator Bam Aquino in a seminar. Hence, he said, the 21 chairmen of their federation went with him to attend a short course about sustainable coffee plantation at Central Mindanao University sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Fresh from the seminar, Datu Subang requested for coffee seedlings of Arabica and robusta varieties which he planted in between the trees on a virgin-forest land in that mountain village. “Since the trees are very helpful in the growth of coffee, we never thought of cutting but protected and preserved them,” he said.

Datu Subang said at the height of Illegal logging activities in Agusan del Sur, the members of the federation were engaged in timber poaching. “We cut those trees inside our ancestral domain” he said. “We felt bitter when EO 23 was imposed by the DENR hence, we could no longer trade freely those trees that we harvested”. He said that he even bought a bull-dozer to scrape those standing trees in that vast virgin forest lands but he decide to resell the heavy equipment at a much lower price when he thought otherwise the DENR operatives will catch their activities up sooner or later.

He said the members of the federation

The Agusan National High School in Butuan City has turned-over a 3.9 meter Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) to the DENR through the Enforcement Division, Technical Services in a simple rite held at Agusan National High School on Tuesday.

The faculties of Agusan High have requested the DENR to transfer the 8-year-old python to a much comfortable place since December last year due to concern that the snake’s health might deteriorate and eventually becomes weaker and dies due to

Agusan High turnsAgusan High turnsAgusan High turns---over large Python to the DENRover large Python to the DENRover large Python to the DENR By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

poor habitat condition.

The DENR Enforcement Division Chief Jaime Ubanos said that the python is the largest snake rescued so far by the DENR.

“The python needs to be transferred to a better environment to recover from possible trauma due to human interference,” Ubanos said.

The python which was named “Chiarra” by the care taker of the school has been in a cage for several years. “The snake was small when we found it struggling on a vacant lot eight years ago, we feed it with native chicken,”

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NGP transforms life of timber poacher to forest defender in Sibagat, Agusan SurNGP transforms life of timber poacher to forest defender in Sibagat, Agusan SurNGP transforms life of timber poacher to forest defender in Sibagat, Agusan Sur from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 By Eric F. Gallego

Arnold M. Acebido aka Datu Subang, chairperson of the Sibagat Federation of Tribal Community Agro

Farmers Development Association Inc. based at Barangay Padi-ay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur along with

some of his Peoples Organization have called on Regional Director of DENR 13 Nonito M. Tamayo at his office at the DENR Regional Office in Barangay Ambago, Butuan City on April 07,2015 to personally

convey their sincere thanks and deep gratitude for the implementation of the National Greening Program

(NGP) in their area of ancestral lands. Datu Subang claims that his life and the rest of the members of the federation were transformed from the viscous ways of timber poaching to defenders of forest due to

the NGP. (Photo by Catherine Gonzaga, RPAO 13 staff) ▄

are fully convinced of the NGP. They are main-taining at least 1,200 hectares of rubber and coffee plantation in that area. “We are waiting for the right season to harvest coffee” says Datu Subang. By that time, he said, most of the members of the federation will be millionaires.

Regional Director Tamayo on the other hand offered the technical expertise of the DENR to develop the area through the NGP. “We can still develop more areas for expansion of the coffee and rubber trees within

the ancestral domain of Datu Subang,” he said.

Director Tamayo said the DENR has intensified the anti-illegal logging drive in Caraga Region which is aimed at eliminating timber poaching and illegal logging activities by June 30, 2015.

He said Datu Subang could enlist some members of the federation to be trained and deputized as forest officers to strengthen the campaign. ▄

Agusan High turnsAgusan High turnsAgusan High turns---over large Python to the DENRover large Python to the DENRover large Python to the DENR By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

Ernesto Falcon of Agusan National High School said.

The python was brought to a new sanctuary at the Delta Discovery Park in Barangay Bonbon, Butuan City.

Pythons are non-venomous snakes which are considered to be one of the largest among various snakes’ species. They kill their prey by squeezing them tight until they are choked before they swallow it whole. Its skin usually blends with the colors of their environment. ▄


The Coastal and Marine Management Division under the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services of DENR-13 headed by Regional Technical Director Ronilo Salac, conducted an orientation seminar among its field officers under the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program (SCREMP) on January 13-14, 2015 at Balanghai Hotel and Conven-tion Center, Barangay Doongan, Butuan City.

DENR Caraga Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo said the seminar is timely. “A lot of activities are lined-up for us this year. Let us start the year right and determine our responsibilities in achieving our goals for 2015” he said.

SCREMP is a DENR’s national program (2012-2020) which conducts strategic, sustainable and ecosystem based approach in protecting and rehabilitating coral reef ecosystems within the country through the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) – Coastal and Marine Management Office (CMMO).

The program aims to implement sustainable management of coastal and marine resources through resource and

CMMD orients field officers on SCREMPCMMD orients field officers on SCREMPCMMD orients field officers on SCREMP By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

habitat conservation, protection, and rehabili-tation. It seeks to contribute to food security and improve human well-being of the coastal communities. It promotes public awareness and instills social and environmental consciousness on the value of coral reefs and associated coastal and marine ecosystems, especially on mitigating the effects of climate change.

In the said orientation, the guidelines for the implementation of SCREMP pursuant to DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2013-12 were discussed. According to the estimated benefits of the SCREMP activities from 2013-2016 in terms of job generation, a total of 93,750 individuals amounting to 1.013 billion pesos will be benefited from the project. This could be gained through SCREMP activities such as Bantay Bahura and Coastal Ecotourism Enterprises.

During the seminar, the speakers discussed the details of the program implementation. The field officers have been equipped with the basic information which they will import to the people.

A total of 35 participants attended the orientation including the planning officers and CMMS focal persons.▄

Some 35 participants of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program (SCREMP) orientation-seminar pose with the DENR-13 officials lead by RD Nonito Tamayo during the culmination of the activity on January 14, 2015 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Barangay Doongan, Butuan City. ▄

15

Sec. Paje approves permit for retrieval and Sec. Paje approves permit for retrieval and Sec. Paje approves permit for retrieval and disposition of Typhoon Pablodisposition of Typhoon Pablodisposition of Typhoon Pablo---damaged logs in damaged logs in damaged logs in

Esperanza and La PazEsperanza and La PazEsperanza and La Paz By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has approved a special permit for the retrieval and disposition of the inventoried/validated 28,056 cubic meters of typhoon Pablo-damaged trees/timber in the affected Barangays of the Munici-palities of Esperanza and La Paz, Agusan del

Sur.

The DENR Secretary thru the Undersec-retary for Field Operations Demetrio L. Ignacio Jr., issued a memorandum indicating the mechanics to be observed in the retrieval operations. The retrieval operation was set to be limited to a non-extendable period of six months. A clearance was also granted for the use of the Agusan River for the final transport of the wood materials to the designated Wood Processing Plants.

The permit was approved through the endorsement of Cabinet Secretary and Task Force Pablo Chair Jose Rene D. Almendras pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 53 dated August 30, 2013 issued by President Aquino entitled, “Enjoining all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the National Government and Local Government Units (LGUs) to actively support the full implementa-

tion of the Task Force Pablo Rehabilitation Plans and Programs”.

Based on the guidelines, the operation shall be facilitated by the Indigenous People (IP) communities of La Paz and Esperanza with the technical support and supervision of the Provincial Technical Committee chaired by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Agusan del Sur, Forester Roberto Oliveros and the PENR Office Forestry Specialist as the Over-all Field Coordinator.

For the Municipality of La Paz, CENR Officer of Talacogon, Forester Luis P. Gonzaga will serve as the coordinator to be assisted by the Talacogon CENR Office Forestry Specialist. On the other hand, CENR Officer of Bayugan, Forester Eleazar Alaira will be the coordinator for the Municipality of Esperanza with the help of the Bayugan CENR Office Forestry Specialist. Representatives from the Office of the Civil Defense, Department of Social Works and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, National Commission on Indigenous People, and the LGUs of Esperanza and La Paz will also be members of the committee. ▄

DENR inks MOA DENR inks MOA DENR inks MOA (from page 11)(from page 11)(from page 11)

Earlier in his remark during the inauguration of the PENRO building, the DENR Undersecretary for Administration and Information System Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo Jr. expressed his impression about Dinagat Province. “This province has a vast potential in ecotourism. We hope it can achieve the status as the second “Carbon Balance” in the country similar to Palawan,” he said. Carbon balance is calculated through deducting the carbon uptake by oceans and land systems from the carbon emissions from human activities. Forests can act as either carbon sources or carbon sinks. A forest is considered to be a carbon source if it releases more carbon than it absorbs while it can be considered a carbon sink if it absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases. Carbon is absorbed from the

atmosphere through photosynthesis. The process of carbon absorption and deposition is known as carbon sequestration. The net balance of all these carbon exchanges determines whether a forest is a carbon source or sink.

Typhoon Yolanda hit the province on November 8, 2013, it displaced about 5,623 fami-lies and destroyed about ₱171 million worth of properties with 505 houses totally damaged and 3,467 houses partially damaged.

The damages brought by typhoon Yolan-da have mobilized the government and non-government organizations to initiate several pro-grams to alleviate the sufferings of the typhoon victims. According to OIC-PENRO Patubo, the MOA and Deed of Donation were made to define the contributions and counterparts of the stake-holders to attain their objectives, particularly on resettlement and rehabilitation efforts. ▄


Businessmen in the country have been encouraged by the DENR to invest in business that promote sustainable use of marine- and forest-based resources within the country’s key biodiversity areas (KBAs).

The move was made during the Biodiversity-Friendly Business and Investment Forum spearheaded by the (DENR) held in Makati City last week.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, Senators Loren Legarda and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, UNDP Country Director Maurice Dewulf, from the Department of Agriculture, and Department of Trade and Industry were among the resource persons in that forum with the theme “Conserving Biodiversity to Promote Inclusive Economic Growth,”.

The forum showcased the available business opportunities identified by the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) in some KBAs. KBAs are sites that contain one or more viable populations of a globally threatened species that requires immediate conservation action.

The DENR-BMB, identified a number of business opportunity ventures, which may be supported by potential private sector partners and investors and these included the following:

DENR encourages businessmen to invest in key biodiversity areas

1. An ecotourism project and furniture and handicraft production within the 200,155-hectare Malampaya Sound Protected Land and Seascape Area in Taytay, Palawan;

2. A community-based coffee enterprises and processed food at the Quirino Protected Landscape in Quirino province;

3. A handicraft production and handloom weaving using the “bakong” plant and a wine, vinegar, jam factory using a local fruit called “Lubeg” inside the Northeastern Cagayan KBA in Cagayan Valley;

4. An eco park project integrating a lemongrass and citronella plantation and essential oils extraction facility and gifts and houseware production using tiger grass, nito, bamboo and abaca in Northern Negros Natural Park in Negros Occidental;

5. A houseware products from abaca, bamboo and nito in Central Panay Mountains in the island of Panay; almaciga resin production in Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Reserve Sanctuary in Davao Oriental;

6. A community-based coffee enterprises and handicraft production in Mt. Kalatungan, a New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP) site in Bukidnon province. (EFG) ▄

For more updates on DENR-13, visit and log-on at http://caraga.denr.gov.ph/

17

PENRO Dinagat inaugurates new building from page 1 By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

The inauguration started with the ribbon cutting led by Undersecretary for Administration & Information System Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo Jr., Director for Administra-tion Rolando R. Castro, Congresswoman Arlene “Kaka” J. Bag-ao, PENR Officer of Dinagat Agapito T. Patubo, and the representative of Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo, Forester Maritess M. Ocampo.

The event was attended by at least 200 people including CENRO of Nasipit, Norman Asugan; Barangay Captains of Basilisa, Cagdianao, Libjo, Loreto, Dinagat, San Jose and Tubajon; representatives from the Provin-cial Local Government Unit and the Congres-sional Office; representatives from the different government agencies such as DOLE, DAR, DTI, Phil. Ports Authority, DOTC/Phil. Coast Guard, Land Bank of the Philippines, DPWH, BFAR, Dinagat Water District and Bureau of Fire Protection. Also present are the officers from the Philippine National Police of Dinagat, stakeholders, Media partners and DENR personnel.

Fr. Almario Ramada, the Parish Priest of the Municipality of Dinagat, officiated the mass and blessing ceremony. The mass was also intended for the Fallen 44 of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police.

“The construction of this building was once a dream. We are happy that it has finally come true” OIC-PENR Officer Agapito Patubo said.

“We will continue dreaming and making things happen for Dinagat” he said.

“This is a product of our hardships. The smallest effort we make would surely be a part of the history of the DENR” he added.

“PENRO Dinagat is the first one to comply with the instruction of the Secretary in terms of building type construction therefore, let it be part of the history of PENRO Dinagat.” USEC Adobo said.

“Now, Dinagat has its own building, their own home but a home will not be complete without its people. This is where the Rationalization Plan comes in; there are 87 vacant positions for Dinagat. I will make sure that in the selection process, the priority will be given to the locals” he added.

This was supported by the statement of Congresswoman Bag-ao saying that “The priority should really be given to the locals of Dinagat. We should maximize our resources as well as our professionals.”

A Groundbreaking event of the PENRO Dinagat Hostel and Training Center was also held following the inauguration of the new building.

The 13 families affected by the construction have witnessed the ceremony, although they were relocated and awarded land titles by the DENR for their new settlement. ▄


DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo has appealed to the people in the upland barangays to exercise care of the forest by doing away with their activities of slash and burn methods of farming to convert forest lands for a variety of purposes with the onset of dry months and the El Niño phenomenon. “We can prevent forest fire this summer by avoiding any activity that could trigger fire from withered leaves,” Director Tamayo said. He said uncontrolled fire in the forest can affect the tree seedlings planted in different sites of the National Greening Program. The DENR to date, has established 49,999.12 hectares of production and open access timberlands in Caraga Region through the NGP with about 27,745,254 seedlings of indigenous and exotic tree species. “This gains of the NGP which are on the upswing will literally go up in smoke and we want to be sure this won’t happen in forest lands,” he said. The El Niño phenomenon which is an abnormal pattern that is caused by the warming of the Pacific area near the equator has been observed by the Philippine

DENR Exec appeals for care of DENR Exec appeals for care of DENR Exec appeals for care of forest this summerforest this summerforest this summer

Atmospheric, Geo-physical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA). It is expected to last for several months until November this year. El Niño weather occurs when the normal trade winds weakens (or even reverse) which allows the warm water usually found in the Western Pacific to flow instead towards the east. This warm water displaces the cooler water that’s normally found near the surface of the eastern Pacific region, setting off atmospheric changes that affects weather patterns in many parts of the world. Director Tamayo also instructed the PENR and CENR officers to increase their monitoring activities in NGP sites in their respective area of jurisdiction so that the members of the different private organizations that have stake on NGP are properly guided and aware of the abnormal weather pattern. “They should check and ensure availability of sufficient water supply in communities,” he said.

Director Tamayo said priority must be given to strict monitoring of protected areas which are considered habitat for endangered species of plants and animals for potential outbreak of forest fires. ▄

DENR 13 set aside P70 million for DENR 13 set aside P70 million for DENR 13 set aside P70 million for mangrove rehabmangrove rehabmangrove rehab

By: Eric F. Gallego

DENR Caraga Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo, on Monday, has announced that about P70 million was set aside for the rehabilitation of mangroves and beach forest in 1,938 hectares coastline and beaches in Suirgao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat province and Agusan del Norte.

Director Tamayo said the DENR shall rehabilitate the mangrove and beach forests particularly in the disaster-risk areas since they are considered effective natural defenses against calamities.

He said several teams of forest technicians were sent in those provinces to conduct site development, assessment and map-ping were the mangrove propagules will be planted. Even the beach owners along the coasts of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del

Sur including Siargao have been asked to participate in developing a beach forest. The rehabilitation program shall be supervised by the Ecosystem Research and Development Cluster Office headed by Forester Maricar Aguilos.

The Department of Budget and Manage-ment is expected to release this month the P1 billion budget for the project on top of the P6.8 billion fund allocated for massive reforesta-tion activities under the National Greening Program (NGP) all over the country. Director Tamayo said the DENR is pursuing the rehabilita-tion of mangrove areas considering the devasta-tion caused by strong typhoons that hit 171 cities and municipalities in the Visayas and Mindanao in previous years.

The mangrove forests extent in the country have dwindled to about 120,000 hectares over

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DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo said the United Nations Environment Official have commended the efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to implement programs that cushion

the impact of climate change.

He said that Secretary Ramon JP Paje has fine-tuned several climate-change adaptation programs with the officials of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) that will bolster the natural defenses and resiliency of the

Filipinos on the impact of climate change .

Secretary Paje and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner met in a bilateral meeting over the weekend to improve potential cooperation on renewable energy and climate change. Director Achim was accompanied by the UNEP Regional Director and Representative for

Asia and the Pacific Kaveh Zahedi.

Director Tamayo said the UNEP officials was impressed upon the Philippine government’s effort to address climate change. “The Philippines has been doing its share ahead of the Call to Action of the UN through directives and policies to combat the effects of Climate Change”. Some of the program implemented by the DENR to mitigate impact are the National Greening Program, log ban in natural forest

UN lauds DENR on climate change adaptation programs UN lauds DENR on climate change adaptation programs UN lauds DENR on climate change adaptation programs By Eric F. Gallego

through Executive Order No. 23, geohazard assessment and mapping program and clean air

act.

The DENR is currently implementing seven UNEP-funded projects in the country as its action on climate change. These projects included invasive species management, monitoring of persistent organic pollutants or POPs. Implemen-tation of the strategic action programme for the marine and coastal environment of the South China Sea, Ozone depleting substance (ODS)

and the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan.

Secretary Paje and Director Steiner also discussed other things such as the Support to the Philippines to increase investment in renew-able energy and energy efficiency, including the development and implementation of green energy policies; Joint efforts on the valuation and integrated management of ecosystems, including the Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosys-tems Services (WAVES) program as well as work in the marine and coastal ecosystems through the Coral Triangle and other programs; Strengthen collaboration between UNEP and the Philippines, including scaling up joint work under the Global Environmental Fund 6 cycle; and Strategic part-nerships to help support the broader ASEAN

region in partnership with the Philippines. ▄

Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje (left) personally witness the signing of a contract where the DENR has tapped the expertise of the Ateneo de Manila University, Inc. (ADMUI) to project green-house gas (GHG) emissions and assess the carbon sequestration of forests under the GHG-NGP National Greening Program) project. The arrangement was finalized in Quezon City, with Assistant Secretary Corazon C. Davis (right) representing the DENR. ADMUI was represented by its president, Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ (center). Also in photo is DENR Undersecretary for Field

Operations Demetrio Ignacio (extreme right). DENR 13 RPAO Photo Release ▄

DENR partners Ateneo for project greenhouseDENR partners Ateneo for project greenhouseDENR partners Ateneo for project greenhouse

decades based on a study “Mangrove Rehabilita-tion in the Philippines” conducted by J.H. Primavera and J.M.A. Esteban. The study cited the expansion of fish and shrimp culture and pressure from growing population as the cause of decline.

The authors said there were attempts in the past years to rehabilitate mangrove forests but “the long-term survival rates have been founded to be generally low at 20% survival rates”.

The poor survival was attributed to inappropriate species and site selections. “The favored but unsuitable Rhizophora are planted in sandy substrates of exposed coastlines instead of the natural colonizers Avicennia and Sonneratia” the authors said. “A wider policy direction is also needed to make mangrove rehabilitation more effective,” the study said. ▄

20

DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo receives an acknowledgement and commendation from Founding Chairman of Live Philippines Rajah Tyrone Power De A Calo, Brig. General Charito Plaza, and Butuan-Agusan Hotels and Restaurants Association President Dr. Potenciano R. Malvar, for gracing as one of the key speakers during the First Butuan Water Rights Summit held at Mazaua Island Resort, Doongan, Butuan City on March 6, 2015. (Photo by RPAO 13 Catherine Gonzaga) ▄

The DENR reports that the $17-million WB funded project called Partnership for “Biodiversity Conservation: Mainstreaming in Local Agricultural Landscape,” is now being implemented in key biodiversity areas located in Region 13 among the 6 regions in the country. The other regions are Davao region, Northern Mindanao region, Central Visayas, Calabarzon region (4A) and the Cagayan Valley or Region 2. The project prioritizes the conservation of threatened species and their habitats from threats such as unsustainable agricultural production and incompatible land use. DENR 13 Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo said “This six-year project will strengthen the capacities of local government units in adopting biodiversity conservations as a priority in their development plans.” It will also capacitate POs in pursuing economic activities that enhance biodiversity conservation efforts in their areas, he added.

DENR implements conservation of DENR implements conservation of DENR implements conservation of threatened speciesthreatened speciesthreatened species

There are now a total of 228 KBAs in the Philippines, consisting of 128 terrestrial and 123 marine sites. Several of these are on protected area status, but majority are outside of protected areas proclaimed under the National integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, thus requiring additional interventions from initiatives like the BPP to complement the DENR’s biodiversity conservation efforts in these area. (EFG) ▄

The DENR-13, P r o t e c t e d Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Manage-ment Services discovers the 28th Rafflesia species in the world which can be found in Mainit, Surigao del

Norte named as Rafflesia Mixta.▄

RD Tamayo speaks on first Butuan water RD Tamayo speaks on first Butuan water RD Tamayo speaks on first Butuan water rights summitrights summitrights summit

Kasikas January-March 2015

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