Bangar, La Union – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) La Union joined the Lower Amburayan Development Corridor Caravan (LADC) 2022 held in Bangar Municipal Covered Court, Bangar, La Union on September 22, 2022.
The LADC of the Regional Development Council 1 (RDC- 1), is an initiative to develop the Amburayan River and the communities surrounding the river with the coordination of the municipalities that encompasses along river. These nine (9) municipalities that composed the LADC include Alilem, Cervantes, Sigay, Sugpon, Suyo, and Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Bangar, Santol and Sudipen in La Union and fifteen (15) line agencies of which DENR- I is one of the member agencies. The LADC aims to craft the LADC Strategic Plan and Investment Program which includes the projects for the river and the municipalities. Likewise, LADC also seeks to foster an environment of economic and social collaboration across the member- municipalities to attain the shared vision where no one is left behind. This complements the existing plans in the region.
In order to deliver government basic services to the LADC and to inform the people regarding the LADC Strategic Plan, various government agencies in region- I were invited in the LADC Caravan 2022 with the theme: “LADCaravan 2022: Nagkakaisa tungo sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay Para sa Karayan Amburayan.” One- stop- shop of various government line agencies and local government units (LGUs) were put up in the Bangar Covered Court to serve the public led by the DENR- I and PENRO La Union where 220 endemic seedlings that include Banaba, cashew, Narra and Cupang were distributed which benefitted 67 individuals while IEC materials were disseminated. Also in attendance are LDAC member line agencies led by Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Population Commission (POPCOM), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and LGU- Bangar.
Other highlight of the Caravan was the launching of LADC Strategic Plan and Investment Program of which LGU head executives of La Union led by Governor Raphaela Veronica Ortega- David and Governor Jeremias Singson of Ilocos Sur delivered their respective solidarity messages while National Economic Development Authority, Region- I (NEDA- I) Regional Director Nestor G. Rillon delivered the keynote address. Bangar Municipal Mayor Joy Merin, being the host municipality, welcomed and thanked the representatives of the participating line agencies who were present during the significant event. (GCG- RSCIG)
SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION – In celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo) in September, 2021, the HIMIG AT WIKA: Agos ng Buhay Translation Contest is one of its major activities. This aims to spread the strong message to protect and care for the rich environment entrusted to us. The song is already heard in Tagalog and given the wealth of language our country has, the song will be heard in 7 major languages in the Philippines namely; Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Bicolano, Waray, Kapampangan and Pangasinense. Agos ng Buhay is the theme song of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).
Two personnel of the DENR- I Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG), Generoso Garcia and CDO Mariel Aquino together with Bert Rivera of DENR Cagayan Valley were invited as panel of judges in the Ilokano and Pangasinense language translations in the Pre- judging competition via Zoom last September 17 and 22, 2021 which was hosted by Ma. Katrina Apaya and Apol Laroco of the DENR- BMB. The Tagalong version of the Agos ng Buhay song were translated into Ilokano and Pangasinense lyrics and sung by contestants accompanied by a recorded melody of the song. There are seventeen (17) entries from Northern Luzon - thirteen (13) entries in the Ilokano translation while four (4) entries in the Pangasinense translation. Criteria for judging include, Clarity- 10%, Creativity- 15%, Singability- 25% and Accuracy of Translation- 50%. The sole winner per language will receive Php 15,000 and two (2) consolation prizes per language entries will receive Php 5,000 each. The Agos ng Buhay Translation Contest is open to Filipinos residing in the Philippines who are 18 years old and above while DENR employees and their immediate family members are not qualified to join.
All entries in the said environmental and language translation competition ended last September 15, 2021 while winners have been announced by the DENR - BMB after the result of the judging last September 30, 2021. The top seven (7) winners of the Himig at Wika: Agos ng Buhay Translation Contest are as follows: 1. Clarisse Borral- Bicol Translation 2.Ma. Ann Vallecer- Cebuano Translation 3. Lucy Lunjas – Hiligaynon/ Ilonngo Translation 4. Felix Seriales, Jr. – Ilocano Translation 5. Katy Chene Napao – Kapampangan Translation 6. Funny Joy Lamsen – Pangasinense Translation and 7. Richard Moscare – Waray Translation. Consolation prizes were also awarded to the following: 1. Bicol Translation- Charmaine Joy Cajurao and Kobe Dionela 2. Cebuano Translation – Psalm David Abella and Francisco Deloso 3. Hiligaynon/ Ilonggo Translation – Cynde Esparagoza and Miriam Burrato 4. Ilocano Translation- Jubilee Biscarra and Victoria Agoo 5. Pangasinan Translation – Lanelina Tamayo and AlmaNepascua and 6. Waray Translation – Arlando Villanueva and Jonas Llevado. (GCG- RSCIG)
In National Budget Circular No. 542, issued on August 29, 2012, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reiterates compliance by all offices of the national government, including state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions and local government units with Section 93, the Transparency Seal provision, of the General Appropriations Act of 2012, to wit:
“Sec. 93. Transparency Seal. To enhance transparency and enforce accountability, all national government agencies shall maintain a transparency seal on their official websites. The transparency seal shall contain the following information: (i) the agency’s mandates and functions, names of its officials with their position and designation, and contact information; (ii) annual reports, as required under National Budget Circular Nos. 507 and 507-A dated January 31, 2007 and June 12, 2007, respectively, for the last three (3) years; (iii) their respective approved budgets and corresponding targets immediately upon approval of this Act; (iv) major programs and projects categorized in accordance with the five key results areas under E.O. No. 43, s. 2011; (v) the program/projects beneficiaries as identified in the applicable special provisions; (vi) status of implementation and program/project evaluation and/or assessment reports; and (vii) annual procurement plan, contracts awarded and the name of contractors/suppliers/consultants.”
The Circular also declares that the respective heads of the agencies shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with this section.
The Circular directs that the Transparency Seal must be prominently displayed on the main page of the agency website, and linked to a page within the agency website that contains the aforementioned documents in downloadable format.
Symbolism of the Transparency Seal
A pearl that is buried inside a tightly-shut shell is practically worthless. Government information is a pearl, meant to be shared with the public in order to maximize its inherent value.
The Transparency Seal, depicted by a pearl shining out of an open shell, is a symbol of a policy shift towards openness in access to government information. On the one hand, it hopes to inspire Filipinos in the civil service to be more open to citizen engagement; on the other, it seeks to invite the Filipino citizenry to exercise their right to participate in governance.
This initiative is envisioned as a step in the right direction towards solidifying the position of the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient – a shining example for democratic virtue in the region.
DENR compliance with Transparency Seal (per DBM Memo Circular No. 2022-1 dated March 24, 2022)
I. DENR mandates and functions, names of officials with their positions and designations, and contact information
b. FY 2023 Indicative Annual Procurement Plan (APP Non-CSE) in the format prescribed under GPPB Circular No. 07-2015 (to be posted not later than September 30, 2022)
c. FY 2023 Annual Procurement Plan-Common-Use Supplies and Equipment (APP-CSE) as prescribed by DBM Memo Circular (to be posted not later than September 30, 2022)
In National Budget Circular No. 542, issued on August 29, 2012, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reiterates compliance by all offices of the national government, including state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions and local government units with Section 93, the Transparency Seal provision, of the General Appropriations Act of 2012, to wit:
“Sec. 93. Transparency Seal. To enhance transparency and enforce accountability, all national government agencies shall maintain a transparency seal on their official websites. The transparency seal shall contain the following information: (i) the agency’s mandates and functions, names of its officials with their position and designation, and contact information; (ii) annual reports, as required under National Budget Circular Nos. 507 and 507-A dated January 31, 2007 and June 12, 2007, respectively, for the last three (3) years; (iii) their respective approved budgets and corresponding targets immediately upon approval of this Act; (iv) major programs and projects categorized in accordance with the five key results areas under E.O. No. 43, s. 2011; (v) the program/projects beneficiaries as identified in the applicable special provisions; (vi) status of implementation and program/project evaluation and/or assessment reports; and (vii) annual procurement plan, contracts awarded and the name of contractors/suppliers/consultants.”
The Circular also declares that the respective heads of the agencies shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with this section.
The Circular directs that the Transparency Seal must be prominently displayed on the main page of the agency website, and linked to a page within the agency website that contains the aforementioned documents in downloadable format.
Symbolism of the Transparency Seal
A pearl that is buried inside a tightly-shut shell is practically worthless. Government information is a pearl, meant to be shared with the public in order to maximize its inherent value.
The Transparency Seal, depicted by a pearl shining out of an open shell, is a symbol of a policy shift towards openness in access to government information. On the one hand, it hopes to inspire Filipinos in the civil service to be more open to citizen engagement; on the other, it seeks to invite the Filipino citizenry to exercise their right to participate in governance.
This initiative is envisioned as a step in the right direction towards solidifying the position of the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient – a shining example for democratic virtue in the region.
DENR compliance with Transparency Seal (per DBM Memo Circular No. 2021-1 dated June 3, 2021)
I. DENR mandates and functions, names of officials with their positions and designations, and contact information
c. Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) (FY 2021) (not applicable)
V. Annual procurement plans, contracts awarded and the name of contractors/ suppliers/ consultants
a. FY 2021 Indicative Annual Procurement Plan (APP-nonCSE) in the format prescribed under GPPB Circular No. 07-2015 (to be posted not later than September 30, 2020)
b. FY 2021 Annual Procurement Plan-Common-Use Supplies and Equipment (APP-CSE) as prescribed by DBM memo circular (to be posted not later than December 15, 2020)
c. FY 2022 Annual Procurement Plan-Common-Use Supplies and Equipment (APP-CSE) as prescribed by DBM memo circular (to be posted not later than August 31, 2021)
