SUYO, Ilocos Sur – With the aim to highlight the importance of actions to conserve and sustain wetlands, PENRO Ilocos Sur led by PENR Officer Rosemarie B. Jornacion through CENRO Southern Ilocos Sur under CENR Officer Danilo P. Manoloto, conducted a clean-up drive along Chico River situated at Cabugao, Suyo, Ilocos Sur in celebration of World Wetlands Day with this year’s theme “Wetlands Action for People and Nature” last February 11, 2022. The said river is also the official entry of Region I in the Recognizing Institutions/Individuals towards a Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (RIVERs) for Life Award 2021.

The activity was actively participated by employees of PENRO and CENRO Ilocos Sur, Saniata Environment 2022 Shireen Dicang Khalil, officials, and health workers of Barangay Cabugao, Suyo, Ilocos, Sur where a total of ten (10) sacks or 0.16 tons of wastes were collected. Everyone was able to pick up cigarette butts, food wrappers, used bottles, plastic bottle caps, plastic straws, plastic bottles, used clothes, slippers, and diapers. All of which post a negative effect on the watershed and its biodiversity.

After the clean-up, a short program was carried out where Saniata Environment 2022 Ms. Shireen D. Khalil shared her advocacies on the development and protection of the environment. CENR Officer Danilo P. Manoloto then appealed for the community’s continuous support and cooperation in all activities to be undertaken by the office especially that it is the entry for RIVERs for Life Award 2021. PENR Officer Rosemarie B. Jornacion, aside from enjoining the constituents of the barangay to be one with the department in the conservation of Chico River, also discussed the Classifications of Wetlands and the Priority Programs of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu. (DCL-RSCIG/CENRO Southern IS)

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Published: 01 March 2022

San Fernando City, La Union - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) paid a very important tribute with the “Salamat-Mabuhay Retirement” rites for DENR- I Assistant Regional Director (ARD) of the Management Services Leduina “Wendy” S. Co at the DENR- I Social Hall on January 7, 2022.

The honoree and the birthday celebrant ARD Co, who rose from the ranks in the department, is a woman who possessed a very strong determination, a dreamer and environmental warrior, gallantly encountered countless challenges before she reached her current position as Director III in the DENR. She humbly took pride of her humble beginnings from the bottom to the top of her family life and colorfuI career. DENR- I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo led the officials and workforce who attended and paid tribute to the honoree who is an active advocate of women’s rights like Gender and Development (GAD) and Regional Advocacy for Gender and Equality (RAGE).

Virtual messages were delivered by DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations and Environment Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, former PENR Officer of Pangasinan Eligio Soliman, and former Finance Division Chief Teresa Unico. Messages form DENR- I regional and field offices, close friends and family members were also delivered during the event. Also present during the program is former DENR- I RED Samuel R. Penafiel and former DENR- I ARD for Technical Services and now DENR- II RED Gwendolyn Bambalan, who personally shared their respective memorable messages to the honoree. Also seen during the program was Pangasinan PENR Officer Engr. Cezar Cabansag and La Union PENR Officer and incoming OIC, Office of the ARD for Management Services Engr. Raymundo Gayo. ARD Co, a dedicated public servant, served the government for 42 years and 38 years of which in the DENR.

Right after the retirement rites of ARD Co, the installation of incoming DENR- I OIC, Office of the ARD for Management Services followed. Engr. Gayo was installed as the new OIC, ARD M. S. due to the retirement ARD M. S. Co. RED Barcelo administered the installation of the new OIC ARD Management Services. (ZLP- RSCIG)

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Published: 14 January 2022

San Fernando City, La Union- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region-I (DENR-I) communication arm – the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG) initiated a coastal clean-up activity in Barangay Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union last December 20, 2021 in line with the observance of the National Volunteer Month (NVM) 2021 in December with the theme: Volunteer Now: Spark Hope, Create Solutions, and Respond to Pandemic Challenges” (Mogboluntaryo Ngayon: Buhayin ang Pag-asa, Lumikha ng mga Solusyon, at tumugon sa mga Hamon ng Pandemya).

Volunteering has been a fundamental part of the lives of people and communities all over the world including the Philippines which takes pride in its rich history of volunteerism through the “bayanihan spirit.” The DENR-I RSCIG workforce headed by SCDO Renelita A. Santos in cooperation with Lingsat Barangay Council headed by Barangay Captain Jesusa J. Iglesias, conducted the early daybreak coastal clean-up along the shorelines of the said barangay that included coastal resident volunteers. The coastal clean-up activity resulted in the collection of about ten sacks of coastal wastes like mineral water bottles, used clothing, plastic caps, among others. Lingsat is where one of the three (3) marine protected areas established in San Fernando City enriching the marine resources and to help preserve the diverse coastal ecosystems of coastal barangays.

NVM celebration aims to build nationwide public awareness, create the environment for bolstering voluntary action in development and recognize the noble acts of volunteerism by individuals, families, institutions, and communities as vital partners in economic and community development (GCG-RSCIG)

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Published: 14 January 2022

DENR – Ilocos Region – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu in his visit to Region 1 calls for the establishment of mini-forests/parks in every Local Government Unit (LGU) to help in the reforestation program of the government.

Sec. Cimatu met with the officials in the region headed by the Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo including the four (4) Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENRO) and seven (7) Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENRO) to ascertain how the ENR programs are being implemented in this part of the country.  “We should not be complacent in the performance of our duties to protect our environment particularly in this time of pandemic.  It is important that we strictly implement the environmental laws on Clean Air, Clean Water and Solid Waste Management” stated by Sec. Cimatu.  He also added that on top of the 3 major environmental laws to include in their priority list are the legislated Protected Areas (PA) and the National Greening Program (NGP). 

According to the DENR Chief, the establishment of mini-forests or parks in the municipalities will support the government’s efforts and initiatives for clean air and augment the timber requirement of the country.  This is also in line with the agency’s initiatives in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

He urged the key officials in the region to encourage the stakeholders and guide them on planting varieties of timber commodity that will help in promoting forestry investment and establish a good source of local wood to supplement the demand of the country.  Sec. Cimatu also directed the field officials to focus on planting 1-2 varieties for the NGP Plantations and look into strategies to sustain the protection and maintenance of these plantations.

The Secretary reminded that the field offices are the frontliners in the successful implementation of the agency’s programs and projects.  That “it is very important to always keep in mind the mission statement of the agency in mobilizing the citizenry in the protection, conservation and management of the environment and natural resources for the present and future generations.”

Sec. Cimatu is the brainchild of big environmental tickets like the Boracay Island and Manila Bay Rehabilitation and the Build Back Better project in Cagayan and Marikina Rivers. 

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Published: 07 December 2021

Photo shows: Participants plant mangrove propagules along the riverbanks of Baroro River during the Celebration of Climate Change Consciousness Week on Nov. 25, 2021. DENR- I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo leads the mangrove planting of Bakawan together with LGU- Bacnotan, DMMMSU and LINK Participants.

Bacnotan, La Union – In line with the celebration of the Climate Change Consciousness Week, National Day for the Youth in Climate Change Action, National Environmental Awareness Month and Clean Air Month in the month of November, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) in partnership with PENRO La Union and the local government of Bacnotan, La Union while representing the youth sector are Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) Institute of Environmental Governance and the Lupon ng mga Indibidwal na Nangangalakal ng Kapaligiran (LINK), jointly conducted a mangrove planting activity along the riverbanks of Baroro River situated in Bacnotan, La Union on November 25, 2021.

 A short program ensued in the planting area before the planting of about 500 mangrove propagules (Bakauan Lalake and Bakauan Babae species) sourced from the LGU- Bacnotan while another 500 mangrove propagules were planned to be planted in the eastern portion of the Baroro River. Camille Agatona, LINK President acknowledged the participants led by Baroro Barangay Captain Randy Macabitas and the coastal residents of said barangay. LGU- Bacnotan was represented by Municipal Agriculture Officer Dr. Divina Gracia Apigo who welcomed the personnel of DENR- I, PENRO La Union and other participants. Mr. Celso Jucutan, representing DMMMSU and also LINK co- founder delivered the overview of the mangrove planting activity and reiterated the establishment of 12 Beach Forest Parks within the province of La Union of which the area of Baroro River is one of the selected sites. Likewise, he announced the November 9, 2021 initial mangrove establishment (Saging- saging and Rhizopora species) within the Baroro River and was initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DENR- I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo, who led the tree planting activity, reminded the participants the significance of mangroves, “Mangroves are the first line of defense against tidal waves and habitat of marine resources,” he said. RED Barcelo reiterated the Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the “establishment of reservation areas in all coastal areas in each municipality of the country solely for the preservation, protection, reforestation and sustainable development of the mangrove forests,” and announced the DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu’s plan for the initiation of Tree Farms. He also thanked the participants for the utmost support of DENR’s programs and projects particularly mangrove planting which is very vital in the climate change adaptation. Representing PENRO La Union is former CENR Officer of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Chief TSD Alfredo R. Racoma Jr. who delivered the closing remarks, thanked and prompted the coastal residents in the protection of the planted mangroves as a continuing activity and high survival rate. The workforce of the DENR- I Regional strategic Communication and initiatives Group (RSCIG) headed by SCDO Renelita A. Santos, facilitated and hosted the fruitful program and activity. (GCG- RSCIG)

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Published: 07 December 2021