The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Nueva Vizcaya has recently launched 'Kali,' a mascot flagship species known as North Rufous Hornbill representing the biodiversity richness of the Casecnan Protected Landscape (CPL).

 

Kali’s head resembles the Bugkalot leaders' headdress worn during festivities. It symbolizes their bravery and strength as headhunters while the bird serves as mountain clock chirping every hour in the mountainous area of Casecnan.

 

The Philippine Hornbill locally known as 'Kalaw' is one of the endangered species included in the national list of threatened terrestrial fauna of the Philippines.

 

Introduced at Kasipegan and Panlingalingan festivals in Alfonso Castaneda and Dupax Del Sur towns, respectively, mascot Kali promotes the importance of preserving indigenous practices in conserving and protecting the environment and natural resources.

 

Kali joined the festival’s parade around the town centers where huge crowd cheered while apreciating the importance of wildlife to nature conservation.

 

Kali gave away information, education, and communication (IEC) materials like eco-tumblers and pamphlets to students and teachers who participated during the campaign spearheaded by the CPL-PAMO under the supervision of forester-lawyer Junny Vic Andaya, protected area superintendent.

 

Conservation measures to enhance protected area management such as reforestation, enforcement of anti-wildlife poaching, self-discipline, and proper segregation of garbage were views generated from the community during the IEC question and answer portion.#

 

By CENRO Dupax

To achieve one of the priority thrusts of the Department which is adopting climate risk lens in national planning and policy making by establishing natural upesource geospatial database, the provincial environment and natural resources office (PENRO) in NV headed by PENR Officer Giovannie Magat conducted capability building for 40 field personnel on April 26-28, this year in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.

 

The participants are from the sections of Regulating and Permitting, Conservation and Development, Enforcement and Monitoring, National Greening Program, Community-Based Forest Management; and focal persons of Certificate of Stewardship Contract, Protected Areas, and Infrastructure Project.

 

Aritao CENR Officer Lensy Bunuen underscored the importance of Geographic Information System (GIS) as prerequisite in planning environmental programs and activities.

 

“There is a need to equip the personnel in the use of GIS because this will lead in the formulation of action plan to ensure successful development and implementation of the different plans and programs of our Department,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, Management Services Division Chief Melody Manzo underlined the need to train more personnel on GIS to facilitate the preparation of accomplishment report for submission to the Regional Office.

 

Topics discussed were shapefile generation, data sources, attribute table management, data management, map layouting, and one control map.

 

Participants in the three-day learning event gained knowledge on ArcGIS system. They were able to submit the different spatial data under their respective sections during the workshop.

 

Foresters Jay Marshal Jasmin, Marlon Jay Bayag, and John Michael Tuazon; and Forest Ranger Reynaldo Bermejo Jr. served as resource persons during the learning event.#

 

(PENRO Nueva Vizcaya)

Representatives from the different agencies located at the regional government center (RGC) in Tuguegarao City expressed their commitment to reduce waste through proper solid waste management.

 

The commitment was made during the culminating activity of Earth Month celebration earlier hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 in partnership with Environmental Management Bureau, and the local government unit of Tuguegarao City.

 

Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of DENR R2 reported that a total of 40 tons of mixed waste are being collected daily, an alarming volume of waste considering the growing population in the city.

 

“The regional government center is one of the big contributors of waste in Tuguegarao City that’s why I urge everyone to strictly practice proper waste segregation in their respective offices,” said Director Bambalan.

 

The regional environment chief proposed that each agency at the RGC must establish a materials recovery facility to promote recycling and to limit the disposal of a large volume of solid waste.

 

In his message, EMB Regional Director Nelson Honrado reminded the participating agencies of their compliance with different environmental laws to include the securing of water discharge permit, hazardous waste generator registration certificate, environmental compliance certificate, and having an accredited pollution control officer.

 

For the part of the city government, City Councilor Ronaldo Ortiz who represented Mayor Maila Ting-Que expressed his gratitude to the DENR for its assistance to curb waste problem in the City.

 

“Maintaining a clean and healthy workplace is a shared responsibility among all of us. Let’s help each other,” he added.

To further encourage other government institutions in practicing proper solid waste management, a search for the best material recovery facility at the RGC will be launched by the City government in partnership with the DENR and EMB.

 

Part of the Earth Month culminating activity were the orientation on ecological solid waste management, garbage management and collection protocol, and potential green spaces within the RGC.

 

DENR field offices also conducted environmental activities in line with the celebration to include cleanup drives, bamboo and tree growing activities, and information drives.

 

An environment exhibit featuring the contribution to food security of the Cagayan Valley Forest Land Management Agreement holders as cattle raisers in the region was also conducted during the National Cattle Congress on April 27-28, this year in Echague, Isabela.#

The Federation of Cattle Raisers Association of the Philippines (FCRAP) through the Cagayan Valley Region Ranchers Association (CVRRA) has recognized the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 under the leadership of Regional Executive Director (RED) Gwendolyn Bambalan for improving the grazing management areas in the region.

 

FCRAP President Martin Gomez and CVRRA President Roberto Agcaoili appreciated RED Bambalan for her commitment to environmental sustainability and her initiative in taking the lead for organizing the first CVRRA, during the National Cattle Congress on April 27-28, this year in Echague, Isabela.

 

In September 2022 during the 1st Forest Land Grazing Management (FLGMA) Summit, RED Bambalan started efforts with the FLGMA holders to ensure food security through adopting climate-resilient and science-based grazing management approach.

In the Congress, Director Bambalan presented the status of the FLGMA and the agency's efforts in assisting the holders in the region.

In Cagayan Valley, more than 19,000 hectares are allocated for grazing area. However, as of June 2022, only 9,000 hectares are utilized under FLGMA with existing 52 holders.

 

The regional environment chief enjoined potential cattle raisers to apply for the 25-year grazing agreement and utilize the remaining allocated regional grazing management areas.

 

As ways forward, Director Bambalan encouraged the FLGMA holders to join the biophysical assessment to be conducted by DENR composite team.

 

"I enjoin our FLGMA holders to rehabilitate and improve their grazing lands awarded to them and ensure the sustainable use of these pasture lands," Director Bambalan said.

 

To ensure food security, she encouraged them to increase cattle production in their respective areas in consonance of the requirements, policies and regulations set by the DENR.

 

"Rest assured of our support towards a stronger collaboration with the Cagayan Valley Region Ranchers Association," added Director Bambalan as she pledged to realize Region 2 to be one of the successful implementers and contributers to improve the cattle industry in the country.

 

Meanwhile, an environment exhibit featuring FLGMA success stories and other major programs of DENR was set up at the national congress. Seedlings and information materials were distributed to the participants and visitors.#

With the aim of providing socio-economic benefits to communities through ecotourism industry, the protected area management board (PAMB) of Tumauini Watershed Natural Park (TWNP) in Isabela will be hiring ecotourism laborers following the approval of the park’s work and financial plan for 2023.

 

Among the personnel to be hired in the protected area (PA) are ecotourism aides, park laborer, administrative aide, and lifeguards.

 

“These ecotourism aides will be of great help in assisting visitors and maintaining cleanliness in the ecotourism sites within the TWNP,” said Protected Area Superintendent Tito Mangantulao.

 

In a recent PAMB meeting, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) emphasized that engaging community partners in ecotourism livelihood can also help in the protection and conservation of the protected area where they reside.

 

The Board also agreed to purchase a mobile vehicle and two motorcycles for forest patrolling and biodiversity monitoring activities.

 

To promote the PA and encourage more visitors, additional ecotourism amenities will be established this year to include welcome arch, garden landscape and standee, photo booth, and other facilities to put up at Calepkep trail.

 

A police checkpoint will also be established within the park to ensure safety of visitors and to manage the entry and exit of vehicles in the area.

 

For the ongoing construction of hydroelectric power plant within the PA, the PhilNew Corporation proposed for the establishment of crushing and water treatment plants. However, the proposal was subjected for further study of PAMB technical working group.#