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

SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION– Turnover ceremonies for the installation of the new chief of the Licenses Patent Deeds Division (LPDD) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region – I (DENR- I) was held on October  20, 2021 at the Social Hall of DENR- I Regional Office, Government Center, Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union.

DENR- I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo assisted by ARD for Management Services Leduina S. Co and ARD for Technical Services Felix Taguba, administered the turnover ceremonies of the incoming chief of the LPDD in the person of Forester Nely Meniado Butic who succeeded outgoing LPDD OIC, Chief, Engr. Noriel G. Nisperos who was been in- charge of the LPDD for more than two years. In his farewell message, Engr. Nisperos vowed to support the incoming head of the division. The DENR- I top management gladly welcomed the incoming head of the LPDD and thanked the outgoing OIC, chief LPDD for his contributions to the division which are very significant to the targets of DENR- I. The official turnover ceremonies was witnessed by division and section chiefs and LPDD personnel in the regional office.

Forester Butic, a native Ilocana, hails from Balungao, Pangasinan, is a graduate of University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), and holds the position of Supervising Forest Management Specialist and previously assigned as OIC chief at the Forest Land Use Division (FLUD) of the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) and she has been in the government service for the past 38 years. She is married to Moises H. Butic, a retired PENR Officer of Kalinga Province, Cordillera Administrative Region. In her acceptance speech, which was also personally witnessed by her husband and daughter, the new LPDD chief is proud to be assigned in her home region and promised to mentor the young generation of her new division and home region regarding land and forestry matters that she learned from FMB- an attached bureau of the DENR, of which she rose from the ranks before her new assignment in Region- I.  (GCG-RSCIG)

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Published: 29 October 2021

SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION – To strengthen information campaign on environmental laws and policies in Region- I, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I), the information and communication arm, Regional Strategic Communications and Strategic Group (RSCIG), conducted the Online Capacity Building on Environmental Laws and Policies on October 20- 21, 2021.

The two- day DENR- I online activity in collaboration with the Environmental Management Bureau, Region- I (EMB- I) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Region- I (MGB- I), is very essential particularly during this pandemic to capacitate the education and the youth sector concerning environmental laws and policies.  DENR- I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo delivered his inspirational message to the sixty- three (63) participants/ teachers from Lingsat Integrated School (LIS) of San Fernando City headed by School Principal Arlyn Bambico. RSCIG head Renelita A. Santos virtually welcomed the participants and discussed the Ten Point Priority Programs of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu and briefly expounded each programs like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,  Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP), Intensified Forest Protection and Anti- Illegal Logging, among others and explained the “Tayo ang Kalikasan” - a nationwide environmental campaign that aims to strengthen collaborative efforts among the government, locals, and stakeholders “to protect our natural resources and maintain the ecological balance for the future generation.” The RSCIG chief likewise, praised and recognized the public teachers’ adversities and sacrifices during this pandemic for their relentless efforts to convey “the importance of education” to the learners’ doorsteps.

A review on the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES- O) was enlightened by DENR- I Regional Youth Desk Officer, Information Officer II Zenaida L. Paday- os who also thanked the participating teachers for their continued support in the DENR programs and projects. Marc Lester Rodriguez, legal officer of EMB- I spoke about the various Environmental Laws, Engr. Nandry Clae Lagman of MGB- I imparted the Mining Resource Management most particularly the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942) and Geologist Ivy Graycochea also of MGB- I presented the Disaster Risk Preparedness and Awareness. The Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program- one of the top priority programs of the DENR was shared and presented by RSCIG Information Officer I Jenny A. Pugal and CDO Denise Marie Lorenzo also of RSCIG discussed the Wildlife Resources Management and Cristine Azarcon in lieu of Engr. Noriel G. Nisperos – outgoing OIC Chief, Licenses Patents and Deeds Division (LPDD), explained the processes of Land Titling.  Short “environmental test/ games” was also conducted after every topics were discussed to energize the participants’ awareness. LIS School Principal Arlyn Bambico, representing the teachers/ participants thanked the DENR- RSCIG for the vital online event for empowering the education sector on environment and natural resources in return, Chief RSCIG Renelita A. Santos also thanked the teachers for their unwavering support as partners of DENR- I.

 RED Barcelo in his message said, “The DENR with your support as environmental law implementer endlessly knock the doors of the civil society because it is our moral and legal obligation to disseminate  and enforce ENR laws to the public.” The successful informative online event conducted by DENR- I is an alternative and continuing environmental activity to the previous “Dalaw Turo” wherein schools were then visited by DENR- I and field offices information officers before the pandemic to impart and disseminate the agency’s advocacies to the teachers and the young learners in the region.   (GCG/ZLP-RSCIG)

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Published: 29 October 2021