The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently showcased its brand Ambassadors at the Bambanti Festival of the Provincial Government of Isabela.

 

The presence of Pawi, Isa, and Pinas Basura Buster (PBB) resembling a Hawksbill turtle, a Bird, and Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) mascots in various activities to boost communication, education, and public awareness on the protection and conservation of terrestrial and marine resources and the prevention of mismanagement of waste calls for a progressive and active involvement of the community.

 

Pawi was developed to represent the Hawksbill Sea Turtle by the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) through a survey with Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) and consultation with various sectors in the municipalities of Palanan, Maconacon, Divilacan, and Dinapigue.

 

Hawksbill turtles are typically found in coastal reefs, rocky areas, estuaries, and lagoons. A female turtle will come out of the water every two or four years to lay eggs along the seashore. Each female turtle could nestle eggs on average four times at an interval of 15 to 18 days.

 

Isa got her name through an online voting contest conducted over social media. The DENR, through the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program, launched Isa to share the relevance of the bird.

 

Isa is a critically endangered Isabela oriole, or kiyaw in the local language, endemic to Luzon in the Philippines. The bird was presumed to be extinct for many years until its rediscovery in December 1993 near Diffun, Quirino, and in Mansarong in September 1994. Additional sightings were made in San Mariano, Isabela. and Baggao, Cagayan Valley, Cagayan and Isabela Provinces.

 

PBB is the image of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in its ESWM advocacy campaign,

In a designated booth of the NSMNP prepared by the Mabuwaya Foundation, the two mascots which depict the flagship species of the NSMNP, the largest protected area in the country, were seen dancing and performing together with the PBB and Krokey Mascots.

 

Mabuwaya Foundation Chief Operating Officer Marites Gatan-Balbas said Krokey represents Philippine crocodile and wetland conservation in Isabela.#

 

by PENRO Isabela