Press Releases

CANDON CITY Ilocos Sur – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I), represented by Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG) Chief, Renelita A. Santos together with Lions Club International 301- C District Governor Robert Ranchez, turned over 10 units of LTE Pocket WiFis to the Candon City Lions Club of District 301 - C in Candon City, Ilocos Sur on March 19, 2021.

Representatives from the Candon City Lions Club received the Pocket WiFis and applauded the DENR for the exemplary efforts in tapping various organizations. Likewise, they assured the DENR-I that they will forever support the agency’s mission and vision as stated in the memorandum of partnership agreement (MOPA). The WiFi distribution is the component of the nationwide Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) Ambassador Project of the DENR. Selected deserving young learners who will serve as ENR Ambassador and recipients of said WiFis will become partners in advocating the protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources while the pocket WiFis will be used in their online learning and share their information education and communication (IEC) campaign through social media in support to the DENR programs, projects and other activities. Lions Club International will grant for the WiFis monthly load. The project also aims to reach schools in remote areas of the region. Despite the pandemic, the DENR continuously strengthen its partnership with various stakeholders like the Lions Club International to raise awareness on the protection, conservation and preservation of the environment and natural resources.

The ENR Ambassador Project is lodged at the Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) headed by DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste management, LGU- Concerns and TAK Supervising Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda and shall serve as force multiplier of the DENR in promoting its mission and vision with an end view of attaining behavioural change. It is a countrywide initiative to mobilize and capacitate selected young learners and deputized as ENR Ambassadors. (ZLP-RSCIG)

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union - β€˜Not even the pandemic can stop the initiatives for the Naguilian River System, this is the strong message with the character and spirit which surfaced in the collaborative efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Ilocos Region thru the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) -La Union, Provincial Government of La Union and the Local Government of Naguilian in their sustainable efforts for this water body, which brought them the fame of bagging the 1st Place in the recently conducted Search for the Best R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award or Recognizing Individuals/Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers with a rating of 93%.

Through Resolution No.1 series of 2020 by the National Committee on R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Awards of the DENR declaring the winners in the most coveted nationwide contest, Naguilian River System came out with a well-built mechanism to outdo and prevailed over the 15 other regions which also tried to grab the award. 16 entries were reviewed and evaluated based on the following criteria: (a) Aesthetics and Water Quality Improvement – 35%; (b) Solid Waste Management – 25%; Partnership/community Mobilization – 25%; and (d) Information and Education Campaign - 15%.

The officialdom of the DENR in Region 1 headed by Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo expressed his gratitude to everyone who worked for the achievement of this award which he considers as another feat attributed to the team and collaborative efforts of the regional office and its field offices. Atty. Barcelo also underscored that β€œthis is another manifestation of an unselfish leadership giving the full trust and confidence to the people you lead and guiding them to maximize their potential in attaining this achievement.”

The R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award was launched and initiated by DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu which aims to: (1) raise awareness on the need to protect and conserve the country’s rivers as the lifeblood of the Earth and human civilization; (2) tap concerted action to protect the country’s rivers from degradation and pollution and assure their suitability, sustainability and further improvement for their designated use or classification; (3) come up with appropriate mitigation measures and interventions to help address the continued worsening condition of river systems in the country; and (4) recognize CENRO’s and PENROs that have responsibly implemented DENR policies, programs, project and activities and have enforced ENR laws and regulations in their area of responsibility. This competition likewise addresses the concern on solid waste management and clean water which are among the ten (10) major programs of Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.

RED Barcelo also added that β€œrivers are essential for human and nature to survive so it is our duty to ensure that these bodies of water are not exploited to secure livelihood and the wide-range of benefits that people derive from them.”

The top 3 entries are: (1) Naguilian River of PENRO-La Union in Region 1 – 93%; (2) Bued River of PENRO – Benguet in Cordillera Administrative Region - 91.75%; and (3) Naga River of PENRO-Camarines Sur in Region V – 86.25% and same be awarded as the First Place, Second Place, and Third Place respectively. (RSCIG)

WIFI 2

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union- As a component of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Ambassador Project, fifteen (15) units of LTE pocket WiFi’s were distributed in various schools in La Union on March 8, 2021.

The ENR Ambassador Project shall serve as force multiplier of the DENR in promoting its programs, projects and activities with an end view of achieving behavioural change. Likewise, the young learners who received these pocket WiFi’s from the DENR as logistical support which the pocket WiFi will become partners in advocating the protection and conservation of the environment while the pocket WiFi will be used in their online learning and share their information, education and communication (IEC) campaign through social media. The project is a nationwide initiative to mobilize and capacitate the selected students/ youth deputized as ENR Ambassadors in the protection and conservation of environment and natural resources. This initiative of DENR Undersecretary of Solid Waste Management and LGU- Concerns Benny D. Antiporda is lodged at the Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan in partnership with state universities and colleges and civic organizations such as the Lions Club International.

Students from Bacnotan National High School, Bacnotan, La Union, Santiago Elementary School and Pagudpud Integrated School in San Fernando City, La Union received these WiFi’s. The distribution was initiated by the Lions International District 301- C headed by District Governor Robert Ranchez in cooperation with DENR- I Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG) headed by Renelita A. Santos. A Memorandum of Partnership Agreement (MOPA) was signed with partner organizations last February 24, 2021 for the allocation of 90 pocket WiFi in Region- I from the DENR while Lions Club International will grant for the monthly load. (𝐙𝐋𝐏/π‘π’π‚πˆπ†)

SAN JUAN, La Union- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) through the Conservation and Development Division (CDD), conducted the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) Capacity Building in line with the minimum health protocols at Puerto de San Juan Resort, San Juan, La Union on February 22- 24, 2021.

FLUP is a planning tool that equips local government units (LGUs), DENR and other stakeholders to comprehensively map out future economic progress of an area in the context of sustainable forest management, biodiversity management, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and management and forest degradation. In the implementation of FLUP, there has to be a balance between economic development and environmental protection and a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between DENR and LGUs that serves as a symbol of partnership to co- manage the forest and forestland resources of a certain town to ensure sustainable benefit for the benefit of the people.

During the opening program, DENR- I Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Felix Taguba welcomed the participants from CDD, PENROs and CENROs who physically attended the event except the representatives from Ilocos Norte who participated via Zoom. ARD Taguba urged the attendees to actively participate in the capacity building for a uniformed FLUP. Likewise. DENR- I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo virtually delivered his inspirational message via Zoom. He urged the participants to be governance- oriented in the FLUP as a tool to improve participatory- process in planning the allocation of forest and forest lands and reminded them that β€œFLUP is very essential as one basis in the outcome of the Performance – Based Bonus (PBB).”

After the FLUP training/ workshop, field personnel will be armed with technical tools and skills to instil knowledge on a governance- related concepts as well as analysing FLUP data and maps to be able to translate them into strategic programs. In the conclusion of the training, participants were expected to have increased capability in providing guidance to DENR personnel in responding to LGU requests for assistance in FLUP formulation given the need to harmonize the use of forest resources and implement a β€œridge to reef” approach. (GCG- RSCIG)

GAD 1

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) celebrated the observance of the National Women’s Month 2021 with a kick- off program and observance of the minimum health standards at the DENR- I Office Lobby, Government Center, Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union on March8, 2021. DENR field offices in the region likewise, virtually attended the event via zoom. This year’s theme,” We make Change work for Women,” and the DENR theme is, β€œJuana Laban sa Krisis sa Klima at Pandemya: Kaya!”

Key officials of DENR- I led by Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo delivered their inspiring messages during the kick- off program. As tribute to the men and GAD 3women of DENR- I, RED Barcelo mentioned some national figure Filipina women who’s achievements influenced our country. Likewise, he acknowledged all the women frontliners. Environmental Management Bureau, Region- I (EMB- I) Regional Director Maria Dorica Naz- Hipe. Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Region- I (MGB- I) Regional Director Carlos Tayag, ARD for Special Concerns Engr. Socrates Gaerlan and ARD for Management Services and also DENR- I GAD Focal Point System Chairperson Leduina S. Co also delivered their respective messages in support to the National Women’s Month 2021.The DENR Ilocos Region key officials likewise led the cutting of the ribbon in the entrance of DENR- I Office where a Gender and Development (GAD) Corner/ Booth is displayed and adorned with various GAD accomplishments in art forms and women’s rights slogans.

The theme, β€œJuana Laban sa Krisis sa Klima at Pandemya: Kaya!,”depicts a Filipino woman in the pandemic and lives with the consequences of the society’s failures. β€œShe is at the front lines of where we need to heal the most. She knows what is like to care for everyone first and herself last. She knows all too well the painful places where we must begin the work truly recover from the pandemic.”

International Women’s Day is celebrated every 8th of March which aims to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s quality, gender equality, forging of women empowerment, and increase visibility of women creativeness. (π‘π’π‚πˆπ†)