San Fernando City, La Union – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region-I (DENR-I) headed by Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo, joined the September 16, 2021 Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, which is a simulated emergency response to ensure safety at the workplace.

The Third Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill started with the livestream virtual messages from the national head executives led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Hernando M. Caraig, Jr., Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol-Director of Department of Science and Technology-PHILVOCS, and USEC Ricardo B. Jalad-NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator. The Online Ceremonial Pressing of the Button commenced at exactly 9:00 AM which lasted for a minute. The earthquake drill was spearheaded by the National Disaster Reduction Risk Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).

Disasters are nothing new to the Filipinos since the Philippines is prone to natural calamities particularly typhoons and geographically situated in the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire.” More than 40,000 Filipinos from various sectors of the society participated in the nationwide simultaneous Earthquake Drill. The OCD and the NDRRMC enjoined all citizens in their homes and offices to join the livestream national simultaneous earthquake drill which aim to prepare Filipinos from all walks of life in the event of natural calamities like earthquake and typhoons that may occur.

DENR-I personnel and officials who were present in the office building executed the “Duck, Cover and Hold,” within their workplaces when the office emergency siren rang at exactly 9:00 AM. The drill is very vital to refresh Filipinos in case of emergencies specially this pandemic. (RSCIG-GCG)

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 21 September 2021

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 1 (DENR-1), headed by the Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo concluded its role as the Regional Ecotourism Committee (REC) chair and turned over the chairmanship to the Department of Tourism – Region 1 (DOT-1), led by Regional Director Joseph Francisco “Jeff” R. Ortega. DOT-1 will be the REC chair from AY 2021-2023.

The blended ceremonial turnover held on September 06, 2021 at the DENR-1 Building, Sevilla, City of San Fernando, La Union was attended via online conference by the members of the committee from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-1), Department of Interior Local Government (DILG-1), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-1), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and University of Northern Philippines (UNP). Also virtually present from the DENR field offices were the Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers, together with the Protected Area Superintendents of the different Protected Areas (PAs) in the region.  

The REC was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 111 issued on June 17, 1999, which established the guidelines for ecotourism development in the Philippines. Sharing the responsibilities of steering the committee towards the implementation of the national ecotourism strategy, DENR-1 and DOT-1 take turn on the chairmanship every three years.

With the passing of the chairmanship to DOT-1, RED Barcelo looks forward to the windows of opportunities DOT-1 can offer to the stakeholders of the fifteen (15) PAs in the region to which the Regional Executive Director take great pride because of the true concepts of ecological tourism, nature tourism, cultural and adventure tourism they offer. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has pose economic burden to the stakeholders relying on the tourism activities within the PAs. However, RED Barcelo is confident that through the leadership of the incoming REC chairperson, Director Ortega, and strong partnership with other members of the committee, ecotourism will bounce back and provide sustenance to stakeholders’ livelihood once again.

As the new REC chairperson, Director Ortega hopes that with his energy and passion to tourism, he can give a new direction in stewarding the committee towards sustainable tourism by offering new strategies while still carrying the mission of environmental protection for future generations to come. Director Ortega shares the strategy of the department to rebuild tourism that has been hardly hit by the pandemic through the development of nature-based products and services and promotion of local ecotourism.

Opening a new path, REC will continue setting the bar for the ecotourism industry to flourish amidst changing time and interest without compromising the environment.

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 15 September 2021

BAUANG, La Union- Various stakeholders from the government and private sectors and the academe in the province of La Union converged in the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the project, “Plastic Recovery and Recycling for Clean Coasts” at Hotel Ariana, Paringao, Bauang, La Union on July 15, 2021.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) led by PENRO La Union and the Environmental Management Bureau, Region- I (EMB- I) joined other stakeholders in this significant project which aims to reduce plastic pollution through the collective participation of communities in the sustainable management of plastic waste. Parties involved in this initiative are committed to protect coastal environment of the municipalities of Bauang, San Juan and the City of San Fernando, La Union.

Present at the venue include EMB- I Regional Director Engr. Maria Dorica Naz- Hipe, PENR Officer of la Union Engr. Raymundo C. Gayo, Department of Science and Technology, Region- I (DOST- I) RD Armando Q. Ganal, San Fernando City Mayor Herminigildo A. Gualberto, Bauang Mayor Menchie L. de Guzman, Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. (JVOFI) President Reinaldo A. Bautista Jr., San Juan Resort, Restaurant and Hotel Association, Inc. (SJRRHASS) President Maria Cristina H. Antonio and Dragon Eight Junkshop owner Mayoleen L. Belen.

Also present via Zoom include Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, San Juan Mayor Arturo P. Valdriz, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, RFO- I (BFAR RFO- I) OIC, RD Segundina P. Gaerlan, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) President Dr. Jaime I. Manuel Jr., Saint Louis College (SLC) President Rev. Fr. Ramon R. Caluza, Lupon ng mga Indibidwal na Nangangalaga ng Kalikasan, Inc. (LINK) President Camille M. Agotana, La Union Hotel Resorts and Restaurant Association Inc. (LUHRRA) President Crestine P. Lucman, Bauang Resorts, Restaurant and Hotel Association, Inc. (BRRHA) President Peter Paul R. Nang, Sto. Nino Junkshop owner Cesar M. Del Rosario and the barangay captains of San Juan, Bauang and San Fernando City, La Union. A representative of the Coca- Cola Foundation Cecile Alcantara also delivered a short message and JVOFI has received a grant amounting to $ 148, 247.85 from the Coca- Cola Foundation intended for the said project to be implemented from November 2020 to November 2022 in the said municipalities and city.

It has been recalled that the DENR initiated in 2019 the rehabilitation and massive clean- up of Manila Bay dubbed as “Battle for Manila Bay,” which aims to enjoin the public to take action to address the growing problem of plastic wastes. The stakeholders in this project with the support of DENR- I, were inspired to initiate this initiative due to the initial success of the Manila Bay enormous clean- up.

Gov. Ortega assured the public that PGLU will uphold its commitment and roles to attain the desired results of the project and to increase public awareness of the impacts of plastic pollution on La Union’s marine resources. The project objectives and initial activities conducted were presented by the Technical Working Group (TWG) to 17 parties in the MOA signing. Short messages were also conveyed by Mayor De Guzman, RD Naz- Hipe and RD Ganal before a community symposium ensued. (GCG-RPAO)

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 02 August 2021

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Consistent to the directive of the Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu in the rehabilitation of rivers and strict implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, DENR Ilocos Region headed by Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo have been consistently compliant in ensuring that rivers in the region are not indiscriminately turned into open dumpsites and that these waterways are continuously flowing.

Following the successful partnerships to bring the Naguilian Rivers System to improve water quality, it’s aesthetics and water flow, another collaborative effort was initiated by Atty. Barcelo through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the DENR 1 and HE SHA PRIME SAND AND GRAVEL AGGREGATES PHILIPPINES INC. which aims to restore the natural state and water flow of the heavily-silted Padsan River and to reduce risks to the lives and properties of the residents of the Province of Ilocos Norte through a large-scale dredging and desilting operations based on a comprehensive dredging plan.  This body of water is the largest river in this province which is also called the ‘Laoag River or the Sarrat River’ with a total length of 73.1 kms.

The MOA signing is also anchored on the Joint Memorandum Circular in 2019 among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) which was reinforced by the DENR Administrative Order No. 2020-07 entitled, “Rationalizing Dredging Activities in Heavily-Silted River Channels Pursuant to the DENR-DPWH-DILG-DOTr Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2019” signed by Sec. Cimatu on February 27, 2020.

The MOA signing was attended by DENR 1 Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Technical Services Felix C. Taguba, Ilocos Norte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Vic Dabalos, the Vice-President of He Sha Prime Sand and Gravel Aggregates Philippines Inc. Mr. Ignacio Richie C. Balicanta IV and the contractor’s Project Manager Atty. Abigail Sestoso.

As per agreement, the contractor would be allowed to sell the dredged minerals, from which the government would also earn revenues. Under DENR Administrative Order No. 2020-07, contractors will shoulder all expenses in exchange for whatever minerals they may recover, provided they pay the required national and local taxes and necessary permits and clearances they are required to secure. It will also ensure the protection of the riverbanks from erosion and provide necessary engineering intervention to support the vital infrastructure along the river.

The DENR 1 on the other hand, together with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will take charge in the monitoring of its compliance to various environmental permits and clearances as stipulated in the agreement.

Currently, dredging activities initiated by the DENR in major rivers in the country are in full swing and these rivers include the Cagayan River in Region 2, Pasig River and Marikina River in the National Capital Region (NCR).  (RAS-RSCIG)

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 28 July 2021

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, La Union- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region I Official and personnel warmly welcomed DENR Undersecretary for Legal and Administration, Human Resources and Legislative Affairs, Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr. during his visit on July 8, 2021 to echo important directives from the Environment and Natural Resources Chief Executive Roy A. Cimatu.

During his short visit, an inter-active meeting was carried out which was attended by Regional Executive Director (RED) Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Technical Services For. Felix Taguba, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) I Regional Director Engr. Maria Dorica Naz-Hipe, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) I Regional Director Geol. Socrates Gaerlan, PENR/CENR Officers, and Division Chiefs. This served as a medium for the discussion of opportunities and challenges of the Region.

RED Barcelo mentioned in his message that this is a chance for the field offices to raise issues and concerns in their jurisdictions as well as those that are relative to the thrusts and programs of Secretary Cimatu.

On top of his purpose to cascade vital directives, he also commended RED Barcelo and RD Hipe as top contenders in the DENR Environmental Awards Government and Leadership Excellence (EAGLE) Awards 2020. Further, he was able to engage the participants in a substantial discussion and to address the predicaments faced by the Field Offices in Region 1.

USec. Adobo and his party then conducted a tree planting activity after the meeting at Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem, Pangasinan which is one of the Region’s priority development projects and is dubbed as one of the Philippine’s most scenic road (connecting Pangasinan and Zambales). Alongside USec. Adobo and his company were RED Barcelo, Pangasinan PENR Officer Cezar Cabansag, Eastern Pangasinan CENR Officer For. Rico Biado, Central Pangasinan CENR Officer For. Franck Vincent Danglose, Western Pangasinan CENR Officer For. Chester Casil, and staff planted over 215 seedlings. (DMCL-RSCIG)

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 23 July 2021