The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Isabela donated cleaning tools and materials to Isabela School of Arts and Trade in the City of Ilagan to support the Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education (DepEd) in promoting good health and proper hygiene.
The DepEd is gearing towards establishing new normal for schools to keep educational institutions virus-free, clean, and safe if face-to-face classes be allowed.
Secondary School Principal Mary Ann L. Catindig thanked the DENR for its generosity and vowed to put the donations into good use.
Among the items donated were recycle bins, doormats, mops, dustpans, and hard and soft brooms. #rmc (PENRO Isabela)
DENR, stakeholders take action to tackle water-related issues
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources of this province, the Barangay officials and residents of Allinguigan, and staff of the Provincial Environment Management Office Isabela observed World Day for Water through a clean-up drive at the Pinacanuan de Ilaguen in the City of Ilagan.
A 30-second broadcast material highlights the importance of celebrating World Water Day to inspire action towards the sustainable development goal "water and sanitation for all by 2030" was aired on a radio station.
The campaign material intention is to let the public learn more about water-related issues that include water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply, lack of sanitation, and to take action to make a difference.
World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2 billion people living without access to safe water.
This year's celebration, according to the United Nation focuses on the theme: "Groundwater—making the invisible visible."-PENRO Isabela
ARBORETUM: WHERE WE GROW TREES. With the directive of Regional Executive Director, Gwendolyn C. Bambalan, personnel of CENRO Aritao under the leadership of then CENRO, now the OIC, PENR Officer of Nueva Vizcaya, Engr. Giovannie M. Magat, started the site preparation activities within Arboretum on September of 2020.
Series of planting activities were conducted wherein Director Bambalan and other executives from the regional and provincial offices have participated in some of the activities in the arboretum.
Four Hundred and Sixty-four different indigenous tree species like Narra, Molave, Yakal, Philippine Teak, Kamagong and other endemic species were initially planted along the perimeter of the arboretum.
During the celebration of the Philippine Arbor Day on June 25, 2021, Two Hundred and Thirty-six Dao saplings were planted within a specific plot in the arboretum. Next to it was planted with Narra, Molave, Kalumpit, Tuai, Ipil, and other native and endemic trees.
On July 30, 2021, the DENR signed a Memorandum of Agreement with FCF Minerals Corporation through its Country Manager, James Carmichael. The FCF Minerals provided fund amounting to Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php. 300,000.00) for the continuity and maintenance of the arboretum project.
As of December 2021, a total of Three Thousand indigenous tree species were already planted within the 3 hectares arboretum with 3 meters by 3 meters spacing. Maintenance and Protection activities like watering, weeding, mulching and replanting are being conducted regularly to ensure the high survival rate of the planted seedlings. The arboretum was installed with 4 units of Intermediate Bulk Containers stocked with water purposely used for watering.#
SUPPORT TO WETLANDS PROTECTION. In celebration of the World Wetlands Day, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and the different Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) in Isabela conducted several activities highlighting wetlands protection.
Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally.
A focus group discussion on the importance of wetlands was conducted to encourage actions, boost engagement, promote learning and solicit public support on the protection of wetland areas in the province.
Educational campaign, cleanup, tree planting, water hyacinth removal, birdwatching, and wetland site visits involving employees and park staff of CENROs Cabagan, Naguilian, Cauayan, Palanan, San Isidro, and PENRO sub-office Roxas and the local community were also held.
PENRO Isabela renewed its commitment to remove the water hyacinths by collaborating with nearby local fishing communities. The cleanup of the water hyacinths helps maintain a good water flow and water quality.
Meanwhile, the municipal and barangay local government units, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, CENROs Palanan, Cabagan, San Isidro, Cauayan, and PENRO sub-office Roxas together with people's organization, Small Water Impounding Association and Active Leading Youth Association planted 650 saplings of different species in wetland areas in Sta. Maria, Jones, Palanan, Angadanan and Quirino towns.
The wetlands in Isabela are Sta. Catalina wetland (Sta Catalina, Quirino), Balligi small water impounding dam (Sto.
Domingo Quirino), Malasi lakes "dakal" and "badi" (San Antonio, Cabagan), Diburiburan wetland (Divilican), Viga wetland (Viga, Angadanan), Monterey lagoons (San Luis, Cauayan), Usol Jones small water impounding dam (Usol, Jones), Magat Dam Reservoir (Aguinaldo, Ramon), Blue River (Antagan 1st, Tumauini), proposed bird breeding ground and sanctuary (Calamagui Sur, Sta. Maria), Dunoy Lake I & II (Dibuluan, San Mariano) and Disulap River in Disulap, San Mariano.# (PENRO Isabela)
WETLANDS CONSERVATION. Over 50 volunteers planted mangrove and beach forest species in a coastal wetland in Brgy. Maligaya in Palanan, Isabela in celebration of the World Wetlands Day today.
Anchored with the theme, “Wetlands Action for People and Nature,” the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Palanan was joined by the local government unit, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, barangay officials and locals in the said planting activity.
“We want to raise the community’s awareness on the importance of saving our wetlands through tree planting,” said In-charge, Office of the CENRO Reynaldo Ramos.
Around 340 seedlings were planted in the wetland area to include Tabigi (Xylocarpus granatum), Bakhaw lalaki (Rhizophora apiculata), Bakhaw babae (Rhizophora mucronata), Botong (Barringtonia asiatica) and Agoho (Casuarina equisetifolia).
“We will be monitoring the growth of the planted species as these will be of great help for coastal protection during typhoons,” said Forester Ramos.
