The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – MIMAROPA Region launched “Wings Unfolded: The Metamorphosis of Butterflies,” an art exhibit held in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD) on May 22.

The exhibit is installed at the DENR by the Bay Ground Floor lobby to showcase the beauty and relevance of the species through photographs, information materials, souvenir items, and short documentary films. A mini cage with live butterflies was also put up for closer encounter with and better appreciation of the said species.

The activity anchors to the theme of the 2023 IDBD celebration, “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity” which highlights what has been achieved, as well as the urgency of what still needs to be undertaken in conserving global biodiversity.

DENR MIMAROPA underscores the importance of this winged insect as they are among nature’s key players in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and in boosting socio-economic progress particularly in the province of Marinduque, which is known as the Butterfly Capital of the Philippines.

Butterfly farming is one of the major enterprises that provides stable livelihood to the residents of Marinduque. The province is the biggest supplier of live butterflies to collectors and exhibitors in the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe and the Middle East. At present, there are 11 butterfly farms operating in the province, which are mostly located in the towns of Cawit, Tugos and Gasan.

To ensure the conservation and legal trade of these species, butterfly breeders from the island province are required to acquire wildlife export certification (WEC) from the DENR MIMAROPA Regional Office in Manila. To ease the process, the agency’s Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division and the Regional Information Communication and Technology Unit designed last year an online system, enabling remote WEC application.

“We can say that this endeavor reflects the blessings that both nature and technology have to offer. We will always be thankful for that, because it enables us to fulfill our task to take care of our environment, and ensure efficient business transactions with our stakeholders at the same time,” DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio remarked in her message during the opening program.

DENR MIMAROPA’s Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group spearheaded the event in partnership with the Association of Cawit Butterfly Breeders Village and of the Alliance of Marinduque Butterfly Permittees headed by Ms. Elizabeth Lumawig, and her sister, Dr. Marion Lumawig – Abundo, who are daughters of hobbyist Romeo Lumawig that pioneered butterfly handcrafting enterprise in Marinduque in 1965.

Also present during the launch were the key officials from the Regional Office, Ms. Heitzmann, Dr. Abundo and her family, Dr. Maarten Bijleveld, a Dutch biologist and co-founder of the World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands, Marinduque PENR Officer Imelda Diaz, and permittees.

The exhibit shall run until June 30, 2023 and will likewise be launched online through DENR MIMAROPA website and official Facebook page. (30)

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 22 May 2023

Esteemed stewards of God’s creations. DENR MIMAROPA takes pride of its leaders in Palawan, who were awarded by the Normandy Honor for Peace and the Good Stories Movement for their remarkable contributions in protecting the environment and natural resources. PENR Officer Felizardo Cayatoc (4^th from right) received the award for the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Palawan for promoting eco-governance; Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Elizabeth Maclang (2^nd from right) for protecting the unique biodiversity of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and PASu Angelique Songco (2^nd from left) for safeguarding the marine environment of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. With them are (from left)  Normandy Chair for Peace (Normandy, France) Emilie Gaillard, Rep. Edward Hagedorn, Dr. Patty Ortega (for Dr. Gerry Ortega's posthumous award), Brooke's Point Vice Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano, movement leader Antonio "Tony" Oposa, and David Forman of the University of Hawaii. (Photo by Palawan News)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – MIMAROPA Region takes pride of its leaders in Palawan, who were recently awarded by the Normandy Honor for Peace and the Good Stories Movement for their remarkable contributions in protecting the environment and natural resources.

DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio congratulates the awardees, namely PENR Officer Felizardo Cayatoc who received the award for the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Palawan for promoting eco-governance; Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Elizabeth Maclang for protecting the unique biodiversity of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and PASu Angelique Songco for safeguarding the marine environment of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

The honorees received the Normandy Honor for Peace with the Earth at a dinner program hosted by Representative Edward Hagedorn (3rd District, Palawan), on Monday, April 24 at Costa Palawan Resorts, Puerto Princesa City.

“This award is another reminder that the efforts of our colleagues in upholding environment protection do not go unnoticed, are even recognized globally. The DENR MIMAROPA family have witnessed their commitment, dedication and sacrifice. We celebrate their success and we are proud of them,” RED Claudio said.

The Director also expressed its gratitude to the Normandy Honor for Peace and the Good Stories Movement for paying tribute to individuals and organizations who make significant contributions in promoting sustainability. Also recognized during the program were Dr. Gerry Ortega (posthumous award) and Brooke’s Point Vice Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano.

The awards program, she added, is very timely because of the ongoing celebration of Earth Month and Earth Day (April 22), which are themed ”Invest in Our Planet.”

“This (award) boosts positive partnership and collaboration for the earth. It also serves as an inspiration for other colleagues to fulfill the divine mission to take care of God’s creations,” RED Claudio remarked.

The Normandy Chair for Peace and Good Stories Movement is a global initiative that shares inspiring stories of individuals who work to protect the environment, promote sustainability, and carry out environmentally friendly policies. ###

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 26 April 2023

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources led the celebration of World Water Day through cleanup activities around MIMAROPA Region on March 22.

Anchored on the theme, "Accelerating Change through Partnerships and Cooperation," a total of 806 volunteers from different agencies across the region united in cleaning bodies of water found in the following areas: Maliao, Pamantolon and Fort Sta. Isabel in Taytay; Barangay Poblacion in Brooke’s Point; and Buayan River in Barangay New Cuyo, Roxas, Palawan; Barangay Dayhagan, Roxas in Oriental Mindoro; Brgy. San Roque in San Jose, and Brgy. Buenavista in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.

The joint efforts yielded almost 500 sacks of collected wastes, such as styrofoam, PET bottles, fishing nets and other plastic debris.

In Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, a short environmental lecture on the no to single-use plastics advocacy of Tayo Ang Kalikasan (TAK), and facts on the celebration of World Water Day Day was held. Attended by students and officials from the LGUs, the lecture was organized to further raise the level of awareness on the conservation of water as well as the protection of its sources.

The cleanup activities were made possible through the joint efforts of Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group, CENRO Taytay, PENFI Palawan and its CENROs in Brooke's Point and Roxas in Palawan; PENRO Oriental Mindoro and its CENRO in Roxas, PENRO Occidental Mindoro and its CENROs in Sablayan and San Jose, Environmental Management Bureau in MIMAROPA: and representatives from the following offices and organizations: Pamantolon Sagingan at Sakahan Farmer's Association, Inc., Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police - Taytay MPS, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary; Sitio Monte Vista Farmers Association, Inc., beneficiaries of Cash for Work Program of the Department of Social Work and Development, Bureau of Fire Protection, Provincial and Municipal Police, Philippine Army, Army Reservist, Occidental Mindoro Philippine Maritime Police, Occidental Mindoro State College, Tau Gamma Phi/Sigma, holders of holders of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) in Sablayan, Bureau of Jail Management and Phenology, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, Sablayan Water District, San Sebastian District Hospital, St. Martin Mission Hospital, Fuel Refilling Station Cooperatives, ricemill cooperatives, concerned municipal and barangay LGUs, and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices.

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 30 March 2023

As part of the celebration of World Wetlands Day with this year’s theme “It’s Time for Wetlands Restoration”, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Occidental Mindoro mobilized tree planting and clean-up activities along Carindan Lake in Brgy. Pinagturilan on February 2, 2023.

The activities aimed to raise awareness about wetlands, to reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to conserve and restore them. Brgy. Pinagturilan’s Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson Mark Kenneth Azurin and Brgy. Captain Nolivic Primero delivered a message highlighting the importance of taking care of our natural resources. Sta. Cruz’ Municipal Mayor Ernesto P. Torreliza also imparted encouraging words to continue protecting the nature to avoid reaping hazardous consequences during heavy rainfall and storms.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, OIC, PENRO Ernesto E. Taňada underscored the Provincial Government’s future plans on making the Carindan Lake a “one-stop shop” tourist destination in the province. This year’s World Wetlands Day celebration was attended by 190 participants including DENR-PENRO employees, and representatives of Brgy. Pinagturilan’s LGU, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) Samahang Magsasaka ng Kabangkalan Para sa Kaunlaran, and Provincial Environmental Management Unit (PEMU). A total of 658 seedlings of Kawayang Tinik, Bayog, and Bangkal were planted.

On the other hand, the clean-up activity yields four sack of plastics and other wastes collected along Carindan Lake.

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 10 March 2023

The DENR MIMAROPA - Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group, PENR Office of Oriental Mindoro, CENR Office of Socorro and Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. conducted environmental lecture and photo exhibit in celebration of the World Wetlands Day 2023. The activity gathered 100 students and stakeholders from the Municipality of Victoria, Oriental Mindoro.

 

Details

Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 28 February 2023