SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I together with PENRO La Union joined the simultaneous nationwide launching of “Duterte Legacy: Barangayan Caravan Towards National Recovery” held at Police Regional Office No. 1 (PRO-1), Camp General Oscar Florendo, Parian, San Fernando City, La Union on September 30, 2021.The launching is a simultaneous nationwide event with other regions throughout the country which showcases real stories from beneficiaries themselves – a legacy and embodiment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s whole- of- nation approach in governance and public service. It features several activities on the ground such as a One- Stop- Shop of government agencies, social welfare assistance, livelihood grants, and educational and training opportunities, among others.

The DENR- I, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and PENRO La Union participation on said activity is the result of an Emergency Meeting called by the Philippine National Police Region- I, Regional Community Affairs and Development Division (RCADD) on September 27, 2021, which was attended by CENRO Samuel C. Songcuan of the DENR- I Office of the ARD Technical Services via zoom.

The activity anchored on the theme:“ Barangay at Bayan nagBabarangayanihan Patungo sa Pag- ahon ng Bansa,” aims to bring the government services closer to the people and the communities,  kicked- off with a motorcade from San Juan, La Union to PRO- 1 Camp Gen. Oscar Florendo in Brgy. Parian, San Fernando City which was participated by various government agencies including DENR- I and MGB- I. At Camp Florendo Auditorium, minimum health protocols was implemented  which DENR- I joined other government agencies in the one- stop- shop kiosks offering various services led by the PNP Regional Office 1 through the Regional Medical

and Dental Unit offered free dental examination and fluoride treatment and free flu vaccine for force multiplier, circumcision for kids along with free legal assistance and counselling conducted by the Regional Legal Service and Human Rights Affairs Office; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted payout for TUPAD beneficiaries; Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Social Security System (SSS); PhilHealth; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) rendered public information assistance other government agencies who participated include Department of Agriculture (DA); Bureau of Fire protection (BFP); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);  Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP); Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and other private entities like the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers. DENR- I, MGB- I, EMB- I distributed IEC materials containing the agency’s programs and advocacies while PENRO La Union gave away free fruit- bearing seedlings.

The activity was graced by Undersecretary Ramon Cualoping- Director -General of the PIA, PRO-I Regional Director Police Brigadier General Emmanuel B. Peralta; DOLE- I Regional Director Atty. Evelyn R. Ramos; TESDA RD Vincent Atienza Cifra; RD Jennilynne Role of PIA- I and virtually attended by PCOO Secretary Jose Martin Andanar and USEC Vicente Agdamag- Deputy Director General of the National Security Council. The Caravan will be knocking on the doors of various cities, municipalities and even barangays to make sure that the Duterte legacy is on the doorsteps of every Filipino homes. (GCG- RSCIG)

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 21 October 2021

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)

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 21 September 2021

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)

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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.

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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)

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 02 August 2021