Forest patrol system levels up
The web-based mobile application dubbed Lawin Forest Biodiversity Protection System (LFBPS) launched on March 10, 2016 to monitor conservation areas has upgraded into a more extensive monitoring system.
Enforcement Division Chief Joel S. Daquioag lauded this move for efficiency in the transmission, consolidation and analysis of patrol data during the SMART Connect for LFBPS Learning Event on Feb. 27-28, this year at the Crown Pavilion, Tuguegarao City.
“The Lawin System has been streamlined in the forest protection activities targeting a total patrol of 1,800 kilometers for this year. It is very useful and improves our advocacies, as all forms of threat in the forest are detected through our forest patrollers,” said Forester Daquioag.
The system, developed by the DENR and the Biodiversity and Wildlife Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER), is operated through an open-source software called “CyberTracker” for data collection interface and the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) for data analysis, mapping and report generation.
It aims to improve the response mechanisms to address wildlife threats within the forests and protected areas of the Cagayan Valley Region.
Equipped with Global Positioning System, the SMART Connect features the collection and sharing of field data in real time; manages and responses to real time alerts to enable more effective and rapid operational responses; centrally manages SMART deployments at multiple times; and enhances analysis, visualization and impact of SMART data for decision making by integrating with other systems.
In his message, OIC, Regional Director, Atty. Gil A. Aromin, emphasized that there is a need to capacitate the forest rangers, extension officers and forest protection officers (FPOs) on the use of the mobile system to further improve the implementation of forest protection and law enforcement activities.
The 38 patrol teams composed of 204 forest rangers, forest protection officers and extension officers had a total patrol of 1,355.84 kilometers from July 2016 to January 2017. Adopting the forest conservation area plans of the different Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices, the forest condition and indicator species were observed.
The top five observed threats were: presence of hut/house and other infrastructure, 31 percent; cutting of trees, 29 percent; annual and perennial farming, 16 percent; slash-and-burn farming, 14 percent; and charcoal making, 10 percent. These observations were immediately responded to by the concerned Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers.
Facilitated by representatives of the Forest Management Bureau and Chemonics International, Inc. (B+WISER), the learning event educated the participants on how to install and manipulate the upgraded software that will be used in data analysis after conducting forest patrol and biodiversity assessment. Patrol data can now be recorded per CENRO.
B+WISER Biodiversity and Forestry Specialist Felix Gaschick discussed the features of the application. He said the system has become more embracing because through the interconnection of database, monitoring and access of data are easier and better.
“The system has now started to roll out to the different DENR offices nationwide,” Specialist Gaschick added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rodolfo B. Santos Jr., Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist of the B+WISER convened the FPOs for the formulation of process for responding to observed threats.
“Technology will not protect the forest, it is the people who are. They are the ones doing the activity that is why we need to enhance them and come up with a generic protocol which will apply to all situations,” Dr. Santos emphasized.
As an output, the FPOs were able to formulate a response framework stressing the procedure to respond to data-driven reports particularly on kaingin farming and establishment of buildings/structures in protected areas.
RD Aromin congratulated the 43 forest patrollers in the closing program of the Learning Event.
“I hope that the knowledge you have gained will be applied by heart for a more productive workforce so that our mandate to protect the environment will always be there. We count on you as our partners in forest protection and conservation,” the Cagayan Valley chief enthused. #CAT
NEWS
DENR, CEZA, LGU inspect Nangaramoan Beach
"We do not like to happen in Nangaramoan what happened in Boracay."
This was the statement of Cagayan Valley environment chief Atty. Gil A. Aromin during the joint site inspection by the DENR, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sta. Ana in Nangaramoan Beach, Sta. Ana, Cagayan, on March 22, 2018.
Regional Director Aromin emphasized that even before the situation in Boracay became a national issue, DENR Region 2 has already taken positive steps to contain and preserve the beach.
"What is best for the environment will be best for the people. All we have to do is to manage the resources properly and comply with environmental laws," Atty. Aromin added.
In January this year, business operation along Nangaramoan Beach, one of the world's finest beaches, was stopped for failure to comply with environmental laws and for violating Section 69 of Presidential Decree No. 705 as amended by Section 78 of Republic Act 7161, the Clean Water Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
According to Engr. Avelino Natividad, chief safety officer of CEZA, self-demolition and clearing of establishments within the 20-meter salvage zone has already started.
After acquiring all the necessary documents such as the previous surveys of the site and the foreshore development and management plan, the DENR-CEZA-LGU team will convene to plan for necessary actions.
It can be recalled that in October 2017, the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Office of Aparri, CEZA and LGU Sta. Ana issued final notice to the president and members of the Nangaramoan Environmental Protectors Association to stop their business operation including further construction and improvement of establishments which were illegally erected.
There are 138 cottages, nine variety stores and five souvenir shops in Nangaramoan Beach.#
Parties ink Phil croc conservation hub
The population of Philippine Crocodile in Region 2 will soon increase following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the establishment of a conservation center and groundbreaking ceremony held on Feb. 15, 2018 at the Isabela State University (ISU) - San Mariano campus.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Mariano, ISU Echague campus, Mabuwaya Foundation Inc. and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be jointly managing the Conservation Center.
In his message of support, DENR Regional Director Atty. Gil A. Aromin expressed his gratitude to the partners for helping the Department in wildlife protection. “The DENR is the primary government agency mandated to protect and conserve our wildlife, however, we lack the technical and financial capabilities and facilities for the conservation of Philippine Crocodile,” Director Aromin said.
The LGU shall provide sand, gravel and boulders, and heavy equipment in the construction of the facility; designate information and tourist officer, and caretaker; promote the Philippine Crocodile breeding facility as a tourist attraction; and provide additional funding for the management of the facility.
For its part, the ISU shall allow the use of the designated area of 4,000 sq.m.; provide security during the construction period; and involve students and staff in the development if tge facility as a crocodile headstart and breeding center.
The provision of funding for the main construction of the facility including technical supervision of the building and management of the facility shall be shouldered by the Mabuwaya Foundation. It shall also provide technical supervision of crocodile husbandry and handling, and continue to source funding for the facility after year 2022.
As a requirement in the establishment of wildlife centers, the DENR issued the wildlife farm permit on Nov. 13, 2017.
The DENR shall also provide logistics, technical assistance and other related services in the establishment and maintenance of the facility.
The monitoring of the facility will be jointly undertaken by LGU San Mariano, ISU Echague, Mabuwaya Foundation and the DENR.
The Philippine Crocodile is considered as one of the rarest crocodile species in the world and classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
RD Aromin urged the partners to collaborate for the success of the initiative. “Let the Philippine Crocodile Conservation Center in this Region be known and be the exemplary conservation center throughout the country,” he said.#
Isabela LGU to pilot anew land titling program in Region 2
Inspired by the full support of the local government unit in the LGU-led Titling Program, the regional environment chief announced the pilot implementation of Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal (RLTA), a systematic land titling approach, in Quirino, Isabela.
Regional Director Atty. Gil A. Aromin made this pronouncement during the awarding of land patents to 120 land owners held on Feb. 13, 2018 at the Quirino Coliseum.
The Cagayan Valley chief recalled that the partnership in land titling between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and LGU Quirino started in 2012 when he convinced Mayor Jossie Maria Bella L. Juan to enrol in the LGU-led titling initiative of the Department. Regional Director Aromin was then the regional technical director for Land Management Sector.
The partnership resulted in the launch of the LGU-led Titling program on Sept. 25, 2013 and the signing of the Memorandum of Partnership Agreement (MOPA) on June 23, 2014 making Quirino town the pilot in Region 2.
As required in the MOPA, the LGU headed by Mayor Juan created the LGU-led Titling Office and designated personnel to operate it. The local chief executive also created the LGU-led Titling Council.
“Hindi po natatapos ang tulong ng DENR,” vowed RD Aromin as he expressed his commitment to the mayor that all untitled lots will be titled before her term ends.
“Through the partnership of the DENR and the LGU, the processing of titles has been facilitated, thus, our constituents need not undergo the long, complicated and expensive process of land titling,” Mayor Juan said.
The local chief executive added that the awarding of patents is a dream come true to her constituents who have been longing to have their lands titled.
Emphasizing the benefits of titling to the LGU, Mayor Juan said through the land titles, revenue collection in the form of real property taxes increases thereby improving economic development in the municipality.#
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