Provincial Releases

About two thousand (2,000) participants joined the clean-up of Antiao River in Catbalogan City, spearheaded by the City Government of Catbalogan in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The participants came from the representatives of ninety (98) partner organizations of the DENR and the city government in the rehabilitation of the Antiao River.

The clean-up coincided with the signing of the Memorandum of Partnership Agreement (MOPA) between the DENR, the city government of Catbalogan, and the 98 partner entities from the academe, youth, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, other government agencies and the eighteen (18) barangays along the river. The MOPA provided for the creation of a master plan for the river rehabilitation and the obligations of each party concerned.

For its part, the DENR-EMB shall enforce relevant environmental laws, rules and regulations through inspection and compliance monitoring of industrial and commercial establishments and institutions. It will also conduct a quarterly water sampling to check on the water quality of the river. A monthly clean-up was also agreed by the parties as part of the rehabilitation plan.

The New Ginsaugon National High School, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) San Juan, and the barangay local government unit of Pong-oy in San Juan, Southern Leyte actively participated in a mangrove planting and coastal clean-up activity spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

During the event, around one hundred seventy (170) volunteers planted four hundred (400) seedlings of miyapi mangroves along the coastline of Brgy. Pong-oy.

The barangay chairperson of Pong-oy attested to the benefits of the mangroves, saying that it served as their first line of defense when Typhoon Odette hit their town in 2021. Hence, they are truly grateful for the collaborative effort of the different sectors to restore their mangroves.

San Juan CENR Officer Alexander Casco emphasized in his message that investing in our planet by engaging in environmental activities is necessary. He stressed that now is the time to take positive actions that will restore nature for future generations. He likewise thanked the volunteers—faculty members and students, partners in government service, and the local government unit for supporting the environment department in its efforts towards the cause of Mother Earth.

The tree planting was one of the activities lined up by the DENR 8 and its bureaus EMB and MGB in celebration of the Month of the Planet Earth.

About four hundred (400) miyapi wildlings were planted within the mangrove area of Brgy. Himbangan, Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte during the mangrove tree planting activity spearheaded by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-San Juan in celebration of the Word Wetlands Day 2023.

More than a hundred volunteers joined the event including elements from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) San Juan substation, Women’s associations, barangay officials, 4Ps beneficiaries and CENRO San Juan personnel.

The area planted was hit by typhoon Odette in 2021 and the nearby communities felt the need to infuse the area with more mangroves to serve as their protection from storm surge. It was also one of the region’s observation sites for this year’s Asian Waterbird Census.

To improve the delivery of public service and enhance the knowledge of public officials and employees on basic ENR laws, rules and regulations, Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Maasin conducted a Communication, Education and Public Awareness Campaign (CEPA) to the Local Government Unit (LGU) officials of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte. Topics covered include salient provisions of Republic Act (RA) No.9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Presidential Decree (PD) 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, Patents Processing and Issuance and Foreshore Laws.

The CEPA was actively attended by the LGU Padre Burgos Municipal Mayor, Key officials, Municipal Police Station Chief, and the barangay captains of the 12 barangays of that municipality.

The CEPA was held in observance of the World Wildlife Day (March 3), International Day of Forests (March 21) and World Water Day (March 22).

To spread awareness and inspire people to learn more about water-related issues such as water pollution, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) – Eastern Samar personnel conducted a coastal-clean up at Minasangay, Maydolong, Eastern Samar as part of their celebration of the World Water Day. Five bags of trash were collected with a total estimated weight of 5 kilograms, most of which were plastic materials and glass bottles.