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.#

Isabela Environment Chief Orly Cariazo led the distribution of land titles to beneficiaries in Palanan, Isabela on April 14, this year.

 

Forester Cariazo emphasized in his message the importance of issuing land titles through the Handog Titulo under the Land Administration and Management Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

 

For the part of the local government unit of Palanan, Mayor Angelo Bernardo assured to allocate funds for the release of land titles from the Registry of Deeds (ROD) to be awarded to beneficiaries.

 

Palanan CENR Officer Federico Cauilan, Jr. expressed his appreciation to the LGU for supporting all DENR programs specifically on land administration and their assistance in making the program possible.

 

The DENR and ROD in Isabela will continue to expedite the issuance or granting of land titles to qualified applicants through a Joint ‘Handog Titulo’ Program.

 

PENRO Isabela Technical Services Division Chief Giovanie Taguinod, Municipal Assessor Rodrigo Neil, Jr, and other CENRO Palanan and LGU officials also joined the ceremony.#

(PENRO Isabela)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2, Environmental Management Bureau, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and Tuguegaro City local government unit (LGU) have pledged to create Solid Waste Management Task Force to enhance air and water quality, and solid waste management in the city.

 

The task force to be led by the four offices in collaboration with other partners and stakeholders will assess the operation and maintenance of the sanitary landfill (SLF) of the LGU, implement massive waste segregation in all barangays and clearing of waterways along the esteros and creeks, and establish urban biodiversity area.

 

“We are happy in the DENR to extend technical assistance to ensure the implementation of wastes segregation and in the clearing of waterways, esteros, and creeks in the city," Director Bambalan said.

 

The regional environment chief also emphasized the role of the local government in implementing proper solid waste management as embodied in Republic Act No. 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000."

 

Meanwhile, Tuguegarao City Mayor Maila Rosario Ting-Que thanked the DENR, and the bureaus for extending assistance on guidelines and procedures towards an enhanced solid waste and quality environment. “I want a stricter implementation of waste segregation and with our collaboration with the DENR, we can surely bring change for a cleaner, greener and smarter Tuguegarao City,” Mayor Ting-Que said.

 

As part of combating the effects of climate change, the DENR proposed the establishment of urban biodiversity greenbelt in the city in support of achieving a resilient and sustainable environment in urban areas. This will be presented in the city council for its approval for an endorsement of resolution adopting the said proposal.

 

Regional Director Nelson Honrado of EMB Region 2 emphasized the need to fully implement waste segregation at source, within the households, and barangay level to reduce wastes. “The bulk of waste generated in Tuguegarao City is mostly biodegradable. If only these biodegradable wastes be converted into compost then only residual wastes will go to the sanitary landfill," said Director Honrado.

 

Solid waste management program strategies and approaches were also discussed in the meeting such as the conduct of massive information drive; orientation among barangay officials; and benchmarking to SLF, urban greening and river management best practices.

 

Other measures tackled include the imposition of no segregation no collection policy, installation of dumpster or a large trash receptacle in selected areas, and scheduling of garbage collection to include within the regional government center.

 

"We want a change that has longer effect and impact. With shared responsibility, better opportunity comes in," the local chief executive added.

 

Tuguegarao City has an average total of 40 tons generated waste per day.

 

Joining in the meeting were other DENR and LGU officials.#

To ensure more stringent enforcement of environmental laws, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Office of Nueva Vizcaya has recently conducted an orientation among the Philippine National Police (PNP) officials and personnel at DENR Ecological Park and Training Center, Darapidap, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.

 

The orientation was attended by 51 PNP officials including the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, investigators and PNP personnel assigned to the 1st and 2nd Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Mobile Force Company.

 

In the opening program held yesterday, PENR Officer Giovannie Magat underlined the crucial role of the uniformed personnel in supporting the programs of the DENR, especially the Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign.

 

“This orientation will serve as a refreshing course on our existing ENR laws, rules and regulations for our primary partners to have a common understanding and knowledge in the implementation of environmental laws,” PENRO Magat said.

 

PNP Provincial Director Calmon Nasdoman represented by PLTCOL Godofredo Wasin extended their gratitude to the Department for initiating the activity. “It is indeed very beneficial to our personnel since they are bound to know all environmental laws in the country,” he said.

 

PLTCOL Wasin also committed to heighten environmental protection activities through active collaboration and communication with the DENR officials and personnel.

 

Foresters Jay Marshal Jasmin, Godfrey Lopez and Allan Santos respectively discussed DENR Administrative Order 97-32, Executive Order 23, Presidential Decree 705, Republic Act 9175, and other relevant ENR Laws, rules, and regulations.

 

The two-day orientation was also attended by the CENR officers, and section chiefs in the PENR and and CENR offices.#

(PENRO Nueva Vizcaya)

The Regional Development Council of Region 2 has approved the endorsement for proclamation as protected area (PA) of Northwestern Claveria Area Protected Landscape and Seascape (NorwesCA PLS) in Cagayan, and legislation of Fuyot Spring Natural Park (FSNP) and Dupax Watershed Forest Reserve in Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, respectively.

 

The endorsement was affirmed after DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 2 presented the Integrated Protected Area Plans of the 3 PAs during the full council and advisory committee meeting held yesterday chaired by Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III in City of Ilagan.

 

Based on the resource profiling and resource basic inventory in 2018, the 2,396.39-hectare proposed PA in Claveria houses near threatened, vulnerable, and endangered flora and fauna species that need immediate protection and conservation.

 

"The proclamation of the proposed NorwesCA PLS will prevent the degradation of terrestrial and marine areas, provide continuous source of livelihood to communities, and protect and conserve biodiversity in the area,” explained Director Bambalan.

 

The said area is home to the tree species Narek (Hopea cagayanensis) which is endemic to Cagayan province.

 

Aiming for inclusion to the list of legislated PAs under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, the FSNP and DWFR have already passed the Protected Area Suitability Assessment and were endorsed for legislation by the Regional Committee on Sustainable Development in March 2023.

 

FSNP carries the famous Ilagan Sanctuary while DWFR, which will be renamed Dupax Del Sur Natural Park, serves as an abundant source of water supply to numerous barangays.

 

Upon approval by the RDC, the endorsement of the 3 PAs will be forwarded to the Biodiversity Management Bureau National NIPAS Review Committee.

 

The council meeting was also attended by officials from the different government agencies in the region.#