The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 8 spearheaded the region-wide coastal clean-up drive last September 17, 2022 in support of the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) Day celebrated every 3rd Saturday of September per Presidential Proclamation No. 470 series of 2003.
More than eight thousand five hundred (8,500) kilograms of solid wastes such as plastic wares, bottles, wrappers, and other non-biodegradable and residual wastes were collected by over two thousand nine hundred (2900) volunteers from the different government agencies, local government units (LGUs), BLGUs, non-government organizations, youth organizations, academe and stakeholders who joined this mass coastal clean-up drive from thirty (30) clean-up sites all over the region.
Some DENR field offices also conducted an Information and Education Communication (IEC) campaign on Solid Waste Management after the clean-up activity.
This yearly campaign raises environmental awareness of the growing pollution that may affect not only marine life but also humanity and its future generations.
For this year, the ICC is anchored on the theme “Fighting for Trash-free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source.”
The DENR continues to encourage communities to maintain trash-free coastal areas and be part of saving marine life and protecting the environment and natural resources.
Eastern Visayas joined the rest of the nation in the nationwide simultaneous tree planting drive kickstarted by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on September 13, 2022 to stress the need to protect the environment for future generations.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) led the massive tree planting which brought together volunteers from the different sectors - government agencies, non-government organizations, youth sector, business sector, local government units, media, and the academe.
In the region, one thousand one hundred seventy-one (1,171) volunteers planted seven thousand seven hundred seven (7,707) seedlings in 7.6 hectares across Eastern Visayas. Among the species planted were indigenous forest trees, fruit trees, and mangroves.
Volunteers joined the tree planting activity in sites identified for each province. In Brgy. Villaconzoilo, Jaro, Leyte, two hundred twelve (212) participants planted six hundred twenty-five (625) indigenous seedlings in a 1-hectare area, while in Brgy. Villaconsuelo, Naval Biliran, two hundred forty-four (244) volunteers from the different sectors planted one thousand six hundred (1,600) seedlings in a 1-hectare area.
Meanwhile, one hundred thirty-one (131) participants planted two thousand two hundred (2,200) seedlings in a 2-hectare area in Brgy. Cambaro, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, two hundred seventeen (217) volunteers planted one thousand five hundred sixty two (1562) seedlings in a 2.5-hectare area in Brgy. Guirang, Basey Samar, one hundred fifty (150) participants planted one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) mangrove propagules in a .1-hectare area in Brgy. Libas, Eastern Samar, and two hundred seventeen (217) participants planted four hundred (400) seedlings in a 1-hectare area In Brgy. San Jose, Mondragon, Northern Samar.
DENR 8 Regional Executive Director Arturo E. Fadriquela spearheaded the tree planting in Brgy. Villaconzoilo, Jaro, Leyte. Director Fadriquela enjoined the participants to help in maintaining the growth of the planted seedlings. “Let’s make this tree planting activity worthwhile by making sure that the growth of the seedlings we plant today is maintained. May the future generation experience the countless benefits that can be obtained from these trees as well as its role in averting the harsh impacts of climate change,” he says.
Marked with the theme “Buhayin ang Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan,” the nationwide tree planting activity called for collective efforts for the environment through strengthened involvement of all stakeholders in greening activities.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office 8 and some chapters of the Junior Jaycees (JJC) Incorporated established partnership in environmental protection as the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the ENR Ambassador Project under DENR’s Tayo ang Kalikasan Advocacy Campaign.
Per MOU, the JJC-Leytean, JJC-Waraynon, JJC-Tanauan Molave, JJC-EVSU, and JJC-LNU shall work with the DENR in conducting information, education, and communication (IEC) activities, social mobilization, and partnership building activities.
As part of its commitment to the environment, the JJC also inked a Memorandum of Partnership Agreement (MOPA) with the DENR and people’s organization Paglaum Farmers’ Association for the adoption of a 50-hectare graduated National Greening Program (NGP) site in Brgy. Paglaum, Tacloban City.
Under the agreement, the JJC shall conduct replanting and other maintenance, protection and rehabilitation activities within their adopted NGP site, which was turned over by the people’s organization to the DENR after its 3-year site development contract.
The agreement between the JJC and the DENR for the ENR Ambassador Project and the Adopt-a-Site Project is in effect for a period of three (3) years.
“The DENR is grateful to the youth sector for actively taking part in government efforts to sustain activities and projects that seek to preserve our one and only planet,” says Atty. Dario Suarez, DENR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services. “The ENR Ambassador Project will further strengthen the involvement of youth in the protection, conservation, and management of the environment and natural resources,” he added.
The signing of the MOU on ENR Ambassador Project and the MOPA for the Adopt-an-NGP site Project was held during the Environmental Youth Summit conducted by the DENR in celebration of the International Youth Day on August 12, 2022. The event was attended by over one hundred (100) youth leaders from different provinces in Region 8.
The Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Ambassadors and members of different youth organizations in Eastern Visayas marked the celebration of International Youth Day on August 12, 2022 with a tree planting activity at the beach forest area of Brgy. Salvacion, Palo, Leyte.
Joining the tree planting activity were around one hundred (100) participants of the Environmental Youth Summit held on the same day which include student-members of the Eagle Scouts of the Philippines (ESOP), Junior Jaycees (JJC) – Leytean, JJC Tanauan Molave, JJC Waraynon, JJC LNU, JJC EVSU, youth leaders from different youth groups, the Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) Focal Persons, and the Youth Desk Officers of DENR Region VIII.
Dubbed as ENR Ambassadors, the participating youth groups committed to intensify their efforts in the protection, conservation, and management of the environment and natural resources by conducting more environmental activities and taking part in efforts to protect and preserve the environment.
The tree planting activity was organized by the DENR regional office in coordination with PENRO Leyte, CENRO Palo and the different youth organizations in the region in celebration of International Youth Day 2022.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) launched the Solid Waste Management Advocacy Campaign to raise public awareness on proper solid waste management.
The campaign featured the ‘Pinas Basura Buster’ (PBB) mascot, audio video presentations, and the new mobile game application for children five to eight years old called ‘Basura Buster’.
EMB 8 Regional Director Engr. Reynaldo B. Barra said the campaign seeks to build strong foundation on proper solid waste management among children and youth who are expected to soon serve as ambassadors of solid waste management.
DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement, Solid Waste Management, Local Government Units Concerns and Attached Agencies Benito Antonio T. De Leon solicited the support of partners from the local government units (LGUs), academe, media, and other stakeholders in molding the mindset of the youth towards proper solid waste management.
“We have always believed in the capacity of the youth to propagate sound environmental practices, however the responsibility to shape young mind lie in our hands, so we ask your assistance in disseminating our advocacy. Please help us get on board the different sectors of our society in our solid waste management advocacy campaign,” he said.
“We hope that this event will provide not just entertainment but most importantly will convey the message that we are altogether in realizing, collaborating, and supporting our solid waste management program,” USec De Leon added.
Director Khalil S. Bayam of the Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service DENR central office encouraged everyone to be part of the advocacy and to work together to protect the environment and conserve our natural resources.
The DENR invites its partners from the LGUs, academe, youth, media and the general public to use the mobile game application ‘Basura Buster’ which can be downloaded through the Goggle Playstore and the PBB materials in spreading SWM concepts in region 8.
The Department hopes that through the SWM advocacy campaign as represented by Pinas the Basura Buster, the different sectors will rally forward the message to pursue sound environmental practices.
The launching of the SWM Advocacy Campaign in Eastern Visayas was graced by Tacloban City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jonathan R. Hijada, DENR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Dario O. Suarez, Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Arturo Salazar, EMB Regional Director Reynaldo Barra, and MGB Division Chief Engr. Reynaldo Babatugon. Undersecretary De Leon and SCIS Director Bayam took part in the launching through virtual messages. The launching was attended by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENROs), Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENROs), representatives from the local government units, academe, ENR Ambassadors, youth, government agencies, media and partner industries.