Press Releases

DENR lauds FCF Minerals forest rehab project

 
 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan has lauded the FCF Minerals for its mine rehabilitation project that established more than 600 hectares forest plantation with over 3.6 million trees planted in the province of Nueva Vizcaya.
 
“Your intent is really rehabilitation because you are bringing back the original and previous ecosystem by planting wildlings in the area,” said Director Bambalan.
 
In the mine rehabilitation fund committee (MRFC) meeting held yesterday in Santiago City, Isabela, Superintendent Jomar Bravo of FCF Minerals reported that their company is now 131.92 % compliant in its obligation of replacing two hectares for every hectare of cleared or disturbed during mining operation which is equivalent to one is to two ratio.
 
He also added their ongoing compliance to produce and plant 100 trees as replacement for every single tree cut during mining operation.
 
In Oct. 2020 and last June 1, RED Bambalan forged partnership with the said mining company through a Memorandum of Agreement to replace the trees cut in its operation per approved Special Tree Cutting and Earth-Balling Permit issued by the DENR.
 
The regional environment chief also emphasized that mine rehabilitation is one component of responsible mining. "In as much as we want social and economic development, let us also balance it by ensuring the protection of our environment," Director Bambalan and MRFC co-chairperson stressed as she assured for an enhanced mine environmental protection projects with the active involvement of the mining companies in Cagayan Valley Region.
 
Included in the FCF commitment is the rehabilitation of National Greening Program of the Department. This will also form part of the livelihood of the People’s Organization beneficiaries and surface owners who are tapped to maintain and protect the reforestation program funded by the mining firm.
 
Meanwhile, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Director and MRFC chairperson Mario Ancheta also encouraged the mining company to continue with its rehabilitation efforts.
 
Part of the company’s rehabilitation process includes topsoil restoration through erosion and sedimentation control. Planting followed after a month where indigenous tree and bamboo species were planted.
The company is also currently conducting further studies to ensure speedy restoration of the areas affected by mining operations.#
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DENR lauds FCF Minerals forest rehab project

 
 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan has lauded the FCF Minerals for its mine rehabilitation project that established more than 600 hectares forest plantation with over 3.6 million trees planted in the province of Nueva Vizcaya.
 
“Your intent is really rehabilitation because you are bringing back the original and previous ecosystem by planting wildlings in the area,” said Director Bambalan.
 
In the mine rehabilitation fund committee (MRFC) meeting held yesterday in Santiago City, Isabela, Superintendent Jomar Bravo of FCF Minerals reported that their company is now 131.92 % compliant in its obligation of replacing two hectares for every hectare of cleared or disturbed during mining operation which is equivalent to one is to two ratio.
 
He also added their ongoing compliance to produce and plant 100 trees as replacement for every single tree cut during mining operation.
 
In Oct. 2020 and last June 1, RED Bambalan forged partnership with the said mining company through a Memorandum of Agreement to replace the trees cut in its operation per approved Special Tree Cutting and Earth-Balling Permit issued by the DENR.
 
The regional environment chief also emphasized that mine rehabilitation is one component of responsible mining. "In as much as we want social and economic development, let us also balance it by ensuring the protection of our environment," Director Bambalan and MRFC co-chairperson stressed as she assured for an enhanced mine environmental protection projects with the active involvement of the mining companies in Cagayan Valley Region.
 
Included in the FCF commitment is the rehabilitation of National Greening Program of the Department. This will also form part of the livelihood of the People’s Organization beneficiaries and surface owners who are tapped to maintain and protect the reforestation program funded by the mining firm.
 
Meanwhile, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Director and MRFC chairperson Mario Ancheta also encouraged the mining company to continue with its rehabilitation efforts.
 
Part of the company’s rehabilitation process includes topsoil restoration through erosion and sedimentation control. Planting followed after a month where indigenous tree and bamboo species were planted.
The company is also currently conducting further studies to ensure speedy restoration of the areas affected by mining operations.#
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RED Bambalan commends TWNP for high IPAF

 
The Protected Area Governing Board for Tumauini Watershed Natural Park (TWNP) has gained this year over 6.7 million income and revenues accrued to its Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF).
 
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) chairperson and Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 lauded the active members of PAMB-TWNP for generating the biggest IPAF among the 14 Protected Areas (PAs) in the region.
 
In the recently held PAMB-TWNP meeting held at the New Amphitheater, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tumauini, Isabela, RED Bambalan leads the Board in the review of IPAF Work and Financial Plan (WFP) for implementation.
 
“If we want to have development projects that would protect and maintain the natural biological and physical diversities within the TWNP, we need to responsibly manage its financing mechanism through the use of IPAF,” RED Bambalan said.
 
In her presentation, Protected Area Superintendent Luz Soriano said the IPAF was sourced out from fees on entrance and rental of facilities; and Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas.
 
She said 75% of the IPAF total amount will be used for the operation of the PA in accordance with existing rules and regulations, as provided in Section 16 of Republic Act (RA) 11038 known as “Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018”.
 
Under the said law, all PAs shall establish a trust fund to be known as the IPAF to finance projects and sustain the operation of the national park.
 
“Disbursement of the PA-Retained Income Account deposited in any government bank within the locality shall be used solely for the protection, environmental administration, management of the PA, and implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB,” RA 11038 reads.
 
For her part, Tumauini Mayor Venus Bautista said the LGU has been supportive to DENR programs particularly in the management of the TWNP. “As conservation partner, we are always here to support for the protection of our natural park,” she said.
 
In the meeting, the Board approved to endorse through resolutions the WFP specifically on hiring of park rangers and purchase of equipment and vehicle; issuance of official receipts to separate the collection of entrance and environmental fees; and crafting of guidelines on park operation such as new rate of collection of fees and charges, giving discounts to qualified tourists, following health and safety protocol, among others.
 
Development of biodiversity friendly enterprises as livelihood opportunities for villagers covering the park will also be included in the WFP subject to review of PA ecotourism plan and further deliberation of PAMB members.
 
The TWNP, known for its clean and majestic Magoli River, has opened to tourists last March 11, this year during the inauguration of picnic sheds and ticket booth ecotourism facilities funded by the Biodiversity Management Bureau.
 
Aside from the Magoli River, the Board will further discuss collection of fees to other attractions present in the park such as loose spring, blue lagoon, angarilla river, and pallacot and kagumatan waterfalls.
 
“We have to put value on our natural resources. If we want to enjoy the wonders of nature, then we should have the willingness to pay for these ecological services,” the regional environment chief emphasized.
 
The PAMB also approved the endorsement of Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau Research Study on Water Balance Estimation of Selected Watersheds in Luzon Island, Philippines, to be conducted within the TWNP. This is an an important tool to assess the current status and trends in water resource availability in the area over a specific period of time.
 
Updates on projects from Philnew Hydropower Corporation for its commitment on plantation establishment involving concerned People’s Organizations; and National Irrigation Administration for the construction of Tumauini River Multi-purpose Project, were also presented.
 
The PAMB meeting was also attended by PENRO Orly Cariazo, CENRO Dionisio Deundo, Conservation and Development Division Chief Eric Pasion, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Lucky Limbauan, representatives from other government agencies and non-government organizations, concerned barangay officials, and other DENR and LGU Tumauini officials and personnel.#
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DENR empowers barangays on solid waste, water quality management

 

Barangay officials in Cagayan province were equipped with effective and sustainable strategies in managing solid wastes and water quality in their respective communities during the capacity building for Liga ng mga Barangay held yesterday at the Robinsons Place, Tuguegarao City.

The capacity building, conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 is in line with the enhancement of Regional Solid Waste Management Advocacy Campaign of the Department.

This advocacy dubbed Pinas Basura Buster, the image of DENR in its solid waste management program, was launched on Aug. 10, this year in the said venue.

“You have a big role to play because you have the authority to mobilize the residents in your barangays to responsibly manage the environment,” said Assistant Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Marcos Dacanay during the program.

He appealed the local officials to prioritize proper management of wastes in the communities.

The provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act were expounded to the participants by resource speaker George Canapi, chief of the Environmental Management Bureau’s (EMB) ESWM Section.

He said RA 9003 strengthens RA 7160 or the local government code of the Philippines that devolved functions to local government units (LGUs) in the enforcement of laws on cleanliness and sanitation, and implementation of SWM programs.

“The role of LGUs in SWM implementation is significant since the collection, segregation and recycling of wastes; and the establishment of materials recovery facilities are their responsibility based on RA 9003,” added Canapi.

Canapi introduced innovations in managing wastes such as the use of bio-composting machine, bottle crusher, and glass pulverizer that are effective equipment in reducing and recycling wastes.

For water quality management, EMB Senior Environmental Management Specialist Jailaine Siriban educated the participants on the prevention or control of water pollution as provided in RA 9275 also known as the Philippine Clean Water Act.

She said barangay officials are responsible for the maintenance of water quality in the sea, rivers, groundwater, and other waterways in their respective areas.

Siriban also encouraged the concerned officials to participate in the transparent monitoring of establishments or industries pertinent to the discharge of water in waterways. This is to ensure environmental compliance and to prevent water pollution.

The barangay officials were encouraged to consult DENR-EMB if they need technical assistance in formulating ordinances relating to environmental management.#

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DENR CV launches Pinas Basura Buster campaign

 

The Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) advocacy campaign of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Cagayan Valley will be intensified following its launch at the Robinsons Place, Tuguegarao City.

In the launch, Pinas: The Basura Buster (PBB) mascot was introduced to the public as the image of DENR in its SWM advocacy campaign which aims to drum up awareness and effect behavioral change among the public especially the youth sector to properly manage and dispose wastes.

Development Communication Division Chief Adona San Diego of the Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service who represented Assistant Secretary for Human Resources, Strategic Communication and Sectoral Initiatives Hiro Masuda, enjoined the crowd to practice waste segregation like PBB who is a modern day ‘basurero’ equipped with special weaponry to keep the environment clean and healthy.

In his message, SCIS Director Khalil Bayam emphasized everyone’s serious obligation in managing wastes properly. He also introduced Basura Buster gaming application which can be downloaded through google play store.

During the launch, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of DENR has partnered with private sectors to intensify the implementation of SWM in the region. These include Robinsons Place, Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Florida Transport, Inc., all in Tuguegarao City; and Baybay Ku Dalus Ku in Aparri, Cagayan with environmental advocacy partnership projects dubbed DENROBokasiya (DENR-ROBINSONS Advocacy Project), Aksyong TODAmax, Travel Clean and Green, and Nasalun-at nga Baybay, respectively.

Director Bambalan appealed for everyone’s continued support and active involvement in the programs of DENR especially in the implementation of SWM. “You are key for others to take action, and for our region to win the battle on solid waste,” she said. The regional environment chief also reminded all DENR employees to be role models of cleanliness and proper waste disposal. “Let us talk, and walk our talk,” she emphasized.

Winners of the Search for Barangay Basura Buster, a video-making contest showcasing the best practices of barangays in waste segregation, reduction, management and disposal were also awarded during the launch. Barangay Naggasican, Santiago City was adjudged grand winner and best in materials recovery facility while 1st and 2nd runners-up were Barangays Aridowen in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan and San Pedro in Maddela, Quirino, respectively.

Also gracing the event were Regional Director Jonathan Paul Leusen Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; Mayor Isidro Cabaddu of Camalaniugan; Regional Director Nelson Honrado of EMB; Regional Director Mario Ancheta of Mines and Geosciences Bureau; Assistant Regional Executive Directors Marcos Dacanay and Ismael Manaligod, provincial and community environment and natural resources officers, representatives from the provincial and municipal local government units; Sangguniang Kabataan officials and ENR ambassadors, academe; media; and other officials and personnel of DENR.#

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