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Having competent park rangers and managers would create collaborative actions to intensify the implementation of different biodiversity conservation programs that will contribute to addressing climate change.
 
Regional Executive Director (RED) Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) told the 75 participants during the Protected Areas (PAs) Operations Capacity Building on Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, this year, at the Lower Magat Ecotourism Park in Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya.
 
The main topic discussed was DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-05 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. (RA) 7586 known as the National Integrated PA System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 as amended by RA 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated PA System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018.
 
The participants were also able to gain knowledge on Project Management; Conflict Management; Financial Management and Integrated Protected Area Fund; Performance Indicators of PAs, Caves and Wetlands Management, and Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program; Hands-on Geographic Information System application;
Presentation preparation; and Basic Parliamentary Procedures and Minutes of Meeting preparation.
 
"These topics are relevant for our technical staff as park managers to properly and effectively implement environmental policies and regulations within the PAs," said Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Marcos Dacanay.
 
Enrique Pasion, conservation and development division chief, stressed the need to capacitate the regional PA frontliners. "As responsible and accountable officers, they should be empowered with this kind of learnings," For. Pasion said.
 
Resource persons were RED Bambalan, division chiefs Pasion and Nenita Naranja, assistant division chiefs Atty. Johnmark Paracad, Catalina Pinson, and Corazon Corpuz, and section chief Arnold Battung.
 
Director Bambalan also expounds on the crucial functions of PAs in mitigating climate change and building resilience in risk-based and vulnerable communities. "Managing our protected areas can be one of the economical measures to combat climate crisis," the regional environment chief underscored.
 
The participants composed of PA superintendents, PA management office staff, PA management and
biodiversity conservation section personnel, and other technical staff committed to protect and enhance biodiversity programs and activities in the 14 PAs of the Cagayan Valley Region.
 
In the training, they presented project plans for all activities to be executed in CY 2023 where illegal activities such as 'kaingin' or slashing and burning of trees, and quarrying will be strictly monitored.
 
The participants who are also considered park chief operating officers were also tasked to harmonize their respective PA management plans with the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
 
Issues on managing both the PA and the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title issued to the Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples were also discussed.
 
This first event conducted in the region was also graced by PENR Officers Giovannie Magat and Mariam Frances Malana of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, respectively, and their CENR Officers.
2022 is declared Year of Protected Area (YoPA) Campaign launched in May, this year, which promotes the Philippine national parks.#