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.#

The Isabela Coastal Development Office (ICDO) and Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Isabela State University (ISU) recently held a Forum on Environmental Protection and Conservation dubbed "Voice of the Sierra Madre" at the De Venecia Hall, ISU Echague Main Campus in Echague town.

 

The forum aims to raise awareness about the importance of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) – the last frontier of biodiversity.

 

The envi confab was participated in by youth or student leaders, government, private, and business sector representatives featuring experts on climate change mitigation and marine ecosystem biodiversity, Sierra Madre overview and the current coastal state, ecotourism management, and environmental programs and projects of the Provincial Government of Isabela.

 

Resource speakers were PENRO Isabela Park Operations Superintendent V Nestor Lorenzo and Ecosystems Management Specialist II Luzviminda Rosario, ISU Cabagan College of Forestry Campus Planning and Development Director, and Isabela Provincial Administrator Atty. Noel Manuel Lopez.

 

6th Congressional District Representative Faustino Dy V pointed out in his keynote address that House Bill (HB) No. 1214 seeks to create a body to protect the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

 

The HB which Dy authored calls for making Sierra Madre Conservation and Development Authority.

 

The forum allowed participants to engage in discussion and exchange of ideas on how the different sectors and stakeholders can work collaboratively to protect the environment.

 

During the Covenant Signing for the conservation and protection of Mother Earth, participants and speakers pledged to respect and honor Mother Earth, protect the environment, promote sustainability, support conservation efforts, take responsibility, and educate others.

 

The Multi-Sectoral Network for Sierra Madre Protection is composed of the Provincial Local Government Unit, Municipal LGUs, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, ISU, youth and women's sectors, and DENR.#

(PENRO Isabela)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) have renewed their commitment for the rehabilitation of the Magat Watershed Forest Reserve (MWFR) covering the municipalities of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya in the Cagayan Valley Region.

 

Witnessed by Senator Imee Marcos during the Stakeholders’ Convergence cum IA Congress at the Casa Jardin in Santiago City Isabela, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of DENR R2 and NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen inked on April 22 Earth Day a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enhance the Magat watershed governance.

 

In the agreement, the DENR shall provide watershed and forest management standards for planning, decision-making and monitoring purposes; facilitate the issuance of appropriate DENR permits and clearances; lead in the enforcement of forestry laws, rules and regulations; issue deputation orders to qualified NIA-MARIIS field officers; confiscate and take custody of forestry products illegally-cut, harvested and collected; and organize multi-sectoral watershed management council among stakeholders to provide oversight functions on watershed management planning and implementation in the area.

 

Meanwhile the NIA shall be responsible in managing the 15,728.12 hectares watershed area of the MWFR; secure environment clearances and permits when necessary; identify and recommend priority areas for immediate rehabilitation and development; prepare, formulate and implement the Integrated Watershed Management Plans and Programs; and assist the DENR in the enforcement of forestry laws rules and regulations.

 

In November 2022 Multi-Sectoral Convergence Meeting, Director Bambalan proposed to revisit the agreements committed by the DENR and NIA for updating and integration of the stakeholders’ roles and mandates to ensure a holistic environmental and climate-responsive partnership.

 

Also in January this year, the two agencies met to set institutional arrangement among concerned government and private stakeholders to plan rehabilitation and management mechanisms for Magat watershed improvement.

 

The provisions in the agreements crafted in 1980 and 2019 between the DENR and the NIA are now integrated in the new MOA to ensure holistic partnership for sustainability of the Magat reservoir and protection of the watershed.

 

RED Bambalan has earlier emphasized that revisiting the existing MOA signed between the environment and irrigation sectors with the local government on the management and development of all critical watersheds will espouse stronger collaboration and partnership among government agencies and institutions.

 

By virtue of Letter of Instruction No. 1002 issued by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1980, the NIA was authorized to manage, protect, develop and rehabilitate over 15,000-hectare watershed administered by the NIA-MARIIS. The Magat Watershed was declared Forest Reservation Area by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 573 on June 26, 1969.#