DENR-CENRO Sta. Rita rescues a juvenile Philippine deer
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The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Sta. Rita, Samar, and its partners joined forces to protect the environment and raise awareness about the importance of wetlands during World Wetlands Day (WWD) on February 2.
The initiative brought together volunteers from the Philippine National Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion Maneuvers Company, the Office of the Vice President Tacloban Satellite Office, San Juan Elementary School, barangay local government unit, and the DENR Regional Office. Together, they planted two hundred fifty (250) tangal mangrove seedlings in Brgy. San Juan, Sta. Rita, Samar.
CENR Officer of Sta. Rita, Jocelyn Lobriño, highlighted the significance of mangrove planting in protecting the coastal community from the severe impacts of climate change, especially in areas like Cancabato Bay, which was heavily affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
"Mangroves play a crucial role in reducing the impacts of storm surge and flood and providing a natural defense for the San Juan community," said CENRO Lobriño. "By protecting these mangroves, we protect ourselves and our environment," she added.
Meanwhile, the rest of DENR PENROs and CENROs also led various activities to mark the celebration of World Wetlands Day. Their activities include clean-up, tree planting, and information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2 to raise awareness about the vital role wetlands play in supporting human health, livelihoods, and ecosystems. The theme for this year's observance, "Wetlands and Human Wellbeing," emphasizes the importance of wetlands in providing clean water, regulating climate, and supporting biodiversity.
Wetlands are ecosystems that are permanently or seasonally saturated with water and include marshes, peatlands, lakes, rivers, floodplains, swamps, saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons, coral reefs, fish ponds, rice paddies, and salt pans. These ecosystems provide numerous benefits for people and wildlife, including flood protection, water filtration, erosion control, habitat for fish and wildlife, and opportunities for recreation and tourism.
In its bid to engage the youth in disaster response and resilience building, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 8 recently organized a Youth for Resilience Forum and Outreach Activity, gathering Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairpersons from various barangays in Tacloban City, ENR Ambassadors from Junior Jaycees Inc.-Waraynon and Eagle Scouts Organization of the Philippines - Leyte, DENR Information Officers, and Youth Desk Officers.
The forum aimed to equip young leaders with knowledge and skills to effectively respond to and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters. It promoted partnership with the DENR on environmental initiatives and facilitated networking and sharing of best practices among SK Chairpersons, fostering collaboration in disaster resilience initiatives.
Gracing the event as resource persons were Engr. Mar Ian Cutin of the Office of Civil Defense Region 8, Atty. Rodrigo Jay B. Miralles of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau 8, and Atty. Johann Hein B. Arpon of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 8.
Their lectures and topics focused on disaster risk reduction and management, geohazards, and on instilling behavioral change, inspiring the participants to become long-term environmental champions.
During the event, the DENR challenged the youth leaders to utilize their connectivity, technology access, and mobility to drive climate action and showcase innovative solutions to achieve resilience against climate change and other hazards.
The Youth for Resilience Forum served as a platform for empowering the youth of Tacloban City, the DENR Information Officers, and DENR Youth Desk Officers to play a vital role in disaster risk reduction and environmental stewardship, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future.
The City of Borongan once again showed its commitment to environmental protection by conducting its first-ever Forest Summit, which called for the conservation of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), which covers most of the city’s forestland. It also highlighted the important role of forests and the need to protect them for the preservation of biodiversity and the survival of communities.
Borongan City Mayor Dayan Agda underscored the importance of protecting the environment, citing that since Typhoon Yolanda, the city has not directly experienced strong typhoons because of the forests. He also added that the city government is stern in its commitment to preserving over sixty percent of its forestlands.
Meanwhile, DENR 8 Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Atty. Dario O. Suarez expressed the Department’s appreciation to the local government unit for initiating such activity that popularizes the importance of forests and the environment and deems it worthy of emulation. “This is a noteworthy event, especially that it calls upon civil society organizations, local officials, the private sector, and government offices to be partners in protecting, conserving, and rehabilitating not just the forests in Borongan but the environment in general.”
ARD Suarez also laid out the state of the Philippine forests as well as their conditions in the region and in the city of Borongan and stressed the need for collective efforts and collaboration in efforts for environmental protection and conservation.
The summit also included presentations and discussions on Policy on Forest Management and Conservation delivered by PENRO Angelito Villanueva and Forest Economics and Social Justice by Forester Florente Sabejon, Assistant Professor at the Department of Forestry, Biliran Province State University.
Participants also signed a manifesto of support for the stewardship and sustainable governance of the Forets ecosystem. The manifesto of support covers an agreement to forge collaborative partnerships and empower local communities with a strategic action plan that includes knowledge exchange, collaborations, community engagement, and innovative solutions.
The summit gathered national government agencies, civil society organizations, the multi-sectoral forest protection committee, officials of the city’s constituent barangays that are composed of forestlands, city government officials, and students of the Eastern Samar State University.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas conducted a Community Passion (ComPassion) project to mark the 50th Founding Anniversary of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB).
This, by providing the Basiao Native Weavers Association (BANWA), an organization composed of mat weavers in Basey, Samar with an area for the plantation of tikog, a special reed grass whose stems are gathered and bleached under the sun for several days to dry out. The weavers use these to produce mats, bags, pouches, and other crafts.
This, by providing the Basiao Native Weavers Association (BANWA), an organization composed of mat weavers in Basey, Samar with an area for the plantation of tikog, a special reed grass whose stems are gathered and bleached under the sun for several days to dry out. The weavers use these to produce mats, bags, pouches, and other crafts.
The provision of area for tikog plantation was formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the people's organization Loog-Pelit Watershed Beneficiaries Association (LPWBA), a Community Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) holder based in Basey, Samar and BANWA.
Per agreement, the LPWBA shall allocate ten (10) hectares of their CBFM area for the establishment of tikog plantation by the partner people's organization BANWA. The BANWA shall maintain and protect the established tikog plantation to sustainably supply materials for tikog mat weavers in the municipality of Basey and nearby towns. The DENR shall provide technical assistance to both people's organizations and ensure that the projects within the CBFM area are headed towards its goals.
The CBFMA is a production sharing agreement between the DENR and the participating people's organization for a period of twenty-five (25) years renewable for another 25 years and shall provide tenurial security and incentives to develop, utilize, and manage specific portions of forest lands.
Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio said the grant of land for the tikog plantation intends to sustain the source of mat weaving industry that the town of Basey is known for. "Mat weaving in Basey is a heritage worthy of preservation. We need to pass on this heritage of art and culture to the next generations, and we will do this by providing you with a sustainable source of materials," she said. "Rest assured that we will complete the loop. We will continue providing assistance to the mat weavers of Basey because we are convinced of your passion, and we are one with you," she added.
Meanwhile, Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada shared that the ComPassion Project, headed by Director Claudio is a great opportunity for the municipality of Basey. "Many dreams have been weaved by the weavers of Basey. This industry made a huge impact on our lives. I hope we can sustain this assistance provided by the government and show the world how brillant the mat weavers of Basey are," Mayor Ponferrada said. She also shared that tikog production and mat weaving have been incorporated in their senior high curriculum in order to get the younger generation involved in mat weaving.
Joining the MOA signing for the DENR 8 ComPassion Project were DENR Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Arturo N. Salazar, Provincial Environemnt and Natural Resources Officer of Samar Angelito Villanueva, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Basey Ma. Corazon Tabucao, Brgy. Chairman of Basio, Basey Florencio Mendros and other barangay officials, and CENRO Sta. Rita and regional office personnel. The PO BANWA was represented by its President Julita Abal, and the PO LPWBA by its President Rogelio Ragaodao, Jr.
Launched by CESB in 2018, ComPassion Projects serve as platforms for CESB and the CES community to organize, implement, and promote various community-based services and projects which empower, engage, and creatively address the felt needs of various sectors, stakeholders and constituents in effective and significant ways that support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).