Pursuant to DENR Regional Special Order Nos. 17 and 19 s. 2023, For. Enrique Pasion is designated as In-Charge, Office of the PENR Officer Cagayan vice outgoing OIC, PENR Officer Eliseo Mabasa who is retiring effective 1st of February while For. Corazon Mabborang takes the post of OIC, CDD Chief vacated by For. Pasion.

 

In her message, Director Bambalan expressed appreciation to the two newly-installed officials for accepting the challenge to take the helm in their respective offices.

 

“With your good performance and earned technical competencies, I am confident that you will be able to discharge your functions while ensuring better environment program implementation,” the regional environment chief told the officials.

 

Director Bambalan also commends Engr. Mabasa for his achievements even in barely a year and three months of stay at the PENR Office.

 

The turnover ceremony was also witnessed by Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Atty. Ismael Manaligod, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Engr. Marcos Dacanay, Regional Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau Engr. Mario Ancheta, PENR and CENR Officers, and other environment officials.

 

Meanwhile, DENR employees attended on the same day the retirement program of Development Management Officer V Mabasa at the Regional Office where he was previously assigned. He was the former chief of the Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division before his designation as OIC, PENR Officer of Cagayan.

 

During the program, RED Bambalan and her Assistant Directors Manaligod and Dacanay recognized the Honoree for his exemplary performance as a public servant for 43 years.#

The participating regional and field program implementers and trained scuba divers were tasked to assess the four National Integrated Protected Areas System – Marine Protected Areas (NIPAS-MPAs). These MPAs are found within the Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape (BPLS), Palaui Island PLS, Peñablanca PLS, and Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.

 

“One of our priority programs includes the scaling up of coastal and marine habitats that is why we are also leveling up the competencies of our program implementers through a learning event,” DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan said in a recent media interview.

 

She added the training aims to capacitate the participants to better assess the status of the region’s marine resources.

 

“The assessment of coastal habitats is beyond data gathering alone. It requires several procedures and we want you to master the right tools and actions to obtain right results,” said Conservation and Development Division (CDD) Chief Enrique Pasion before the participants during the opening program on Jan. 18, this year.

 

He said the training aims to orient the CMEMP implementers on uniform data gathering, analysis, and reporting processes to attain even outcomes.

 

Engr. Salome Bonnit, CDD assistant chief, said the proper assessment of marine resources is linked to the improvement of socio-economic condition of the coastal and nearby communities.

 

“Upon orderly assessment, we are able to implement proper management measures within MPAs, thus, achieving sustainability of ecosystem resources and food security among localities,” supplemented Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management Section Chief Arnold Battung.

 

Cherish June Holongbayan, senior ecosystems management specialist in CENRO Palanan, said the yearly assessment of CMEs is also relative to promoting climate change mitigation concerning marine and human life.

 

“The scientific data we gather serve as our bases for assessing the vulnerability and resilience of marine ecosystems and adaptive capacities in response to environmental changes due to climate change,” explained Holongbayan who also served as one of the resource speakers in the learning event.

 

Learning service providers both from the DENR and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources equipped the participants on basic concept implementation of coral, mangrove, seagrass, and fish ecology assesment. They were also trained on proper and accurate data gathering and analysis, and report writing.

 

Aside from assessing MPAs, CMEMP implementers are also set to conduct ground trothing of coastal and marine areas this year following the data provided by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.#

The AWC, an annual event conducted during the second and third weeks of January, aims to provide basis for estimates of waterbird populations and identify and monitor wetland sites that are important for waterbirds. It also seeks to increase awareness on the importance of waterbirds and wetland habitats.

 

Thousands of endemic and migratory waterbird species have been recorded in an initial census conducted by the field offices in Batanes, Cagayan, and Isabela.

 

Among the identified dominant water fowls include Black-faced Spoonbill, Kentish Plover, and Ruddy Turnstone in Mahatao Creek, Chadpidan Ponds, and Ivana Shoreline in Batanes; Black-winged Stilt, Whimbrel, Common Moorhen, and Great and Intermediate Egret in Buguey Lagoon and Pattao Pond in Buguey, Cagayan; Kentish Plover at the Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; and Philippine Duck, Wondering Whistling Duck, and Northern Shoveler at the Malasi Tree Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Critical Habitat in Cabagan, Isabela.

 

Other field offices are set to conduct bird counting activities until January 22.#

Pursuant to DENR Regional Office Special Order Nos. 578 and 579, s. 2022, For. Noel Palejo and Engr. Proceso Canapi were designated as In-Charge, Office of the PENR Sub-Office, Roxas, Isabela; and In-Charge, Office of the CENR Officer, Naguilian, Isabela, respectively.

 

In her message, Director Bambalan urged the employees to be grateful for having a chance to work in the government. “We only serve once in this government and we thank God for giving us the opportunity to serve the public,” said RED Bambalan.

 

“Service delivery is one of our primary responsibilities and we exist because of that. Let us serve the public with utmost integrity, compassion, urgency and efficiency,” she added.

 

Engr. Canapi and For. Palejo thanked the management for its trust and confidence and requested employees to support their leadership in attaining the Agency’s mandates.

 

The installation and turnover ceremonies were also graced by PENRO Isabela officials and employees led by PENR Officer Orly Cariazo.#

In her message, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan thanked all the employees for their contribution and hardwork in accomplishing the region’s target and fulfilling the Department’s goal of a science-based natural resources management and effective environmental protection.

 

“I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you for the hardwork you’ve done throughout the year. I am just directing and providing guidance but you are primarily doing the job,” she said.

 

The DENR regional chief also urged all the employees to be responsible as they celebrate the Yuletide season. “Christmas is about sharing and caring. While we are enjoying the holidays through travel, be responsible tourists and stewards of the environment. That is the simplest way to show your care for the environment,” RED Bambalan added.

 

A video documentation highlighting the Department’s accomplishments and initiatives for 2022 was also presented during the activity.

 

Grocery items were distributed to employees under the contract of service and salary grades four and below including security guards and maintenance crew.

 

Other grocery packs and appliances were also given to the employees through a raffle draw as a way of showing love and spirit of oneness this Christmas.#