Ray of hope.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in MIMAROPA Region donated on June 3, 10,069.89 board feet of confiscated good lumber to fisherfolks in Occidental Mindoro, who were greatly affected by Typhoon Ursula in December last year.

DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado, together with Mayor Romulo Festin of San Jose and Representative Josephine “Nene” Ramirez-Sato, led the turnover of hardwood to 15 beneficiaries from Barangays Caminawit and San Roque.

The lumber, which has an estimated market value of 503.494.50, shall be used for the construction and repair of the recipients’ fishing vessels, and are expected to help their families recuperate from their losses.

RED Adornado said that under the directive of Secretary Roy Cimatu, confiscated good lumber are disposed through donation. In this time of pandemic, DENR makes it a point to donate lumber for use of local government units and other agencies in their COVID-19 response. The director, however noted that the DENR does not forget the fisherfolks who suffered from the wrath of typhoon Ursula right during Christmas last year.

“We understand their need for wood to help them repair their boats. We hope that in this very difficult time, the donated materials would give them some ray of hope to start anew,” he noted.

RED Adornado also explained that that the donation took quite some time due to the community quarantine protocols that restrict travel and operations.

“We ask for your understanding. The donation has to undergo the right process; and we must also observe the health and security measures imposed by the government,” he pointed out. 

The lumber donation in Occidental Mindoro was made possible through the efforts of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office headed by PENRO Ernesto Tanada, and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices in Sablayan and San Jose headed by CENROs Caesar Quebec and Efren delos Reyes, respectively. Also present during the program was San Jose Vice Mayor Roderick Q. Agas.

Meanwhile, CENRO Socorro in Oriental Mindoro also gave to the Provincial Government, 399 pieces of confiscated wood from Lauan and Tanguile Dipterocarpspp species. The lumber, which measured a total volume of 3,534 board feet and cost Php 176, 700, will be utilized for the construction of COVID-19 isolation facilities, and accommodation for frontliners.

Since the country was placed under community quarantine in March, DENR MIMAROPA has donated assorted lumber to different beneficiaries in the island provinces of Mindoro.  Providing assistance to all concerned within our means is one of the major instructions of Secretary Cimatu to all DENR offices in this time of pandemic.

On April 22, PENRO Oriental Mindoro donated to the Provincial Government, 109 pieces (1,589.32 bd ft) of hardwood for use of the provincial hospital to expand and improve its services for COVID-19 patients. The PENRO also sent 20 pieces (344.66 bd ft) of lumber to the Philippine Coast Guard to help them construct a quarantine facility at the port.  The total market value of the donated lumber was Php 96, 699.

On April 17, PENRO Occidental Mindoro, together with CENRO Sablayan Coordinating Office, also donated lumber to the Provincial Hospital to help furnish its newly constructed dormitory for medical staff and COVID-19 frontliners. (With photos and reports from PENRO Occidental Mindoro and CENRO Socorro in Oriental Mindoro) ###

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Published: 06 June 2020

DENR extends ‘forest’s gifts’ to frontliners. Personnel from CENRO Sablayan headed by CENR Officer Ceasar Quebec (second from right) prepare and scale 78 pieces of hard wood for donation to Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital. The lumber shall be used to make beds, tables, chairs and cabinets for the hospital’s new dormitory that is expected to house around 20 medical staff and COVID-19 frontliners.

Amid the country’s battle against COVID-19, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in MIMAROPA Region extends its full support to Occidental and Oriental Mindoro’s efforts to ease the burden of medical frontliners and further prevent the spread of the disease in the provinces.

On April 22, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Oriental Mindoro donated to the Provincial Government, 109 pieces (1,589.32 bd ft) of assorted lumber which shall be used by the provincial hospital to expand and improve its services for COVID-19 patients. The PENRO also sent out 20 pieces (344.66 bd ft) of hardwood to the Philippine Coast Guard to help them construct a quarantine facility at the port. The total market value of the donated lumber is Php 96, 699.

Meanwhile, PENRO Occidental Mindoro, together with CENRO Sablayan Coordinating Office, also donated lumber to the Provincial Hospital to help furnish its newly constructed dormitory for medical staff and COVID-19 frontliners.

On April 17, the team facilitated the signing of Deed of Donation and handed over to the hospital 78 pieces of lumber which have a total volume of 2,018.49 bd ft and an estimated market value of P70,000.

According to Chief of Hospital Dr. Reynaldo Feratero, the hard wood shall be used to make beds, cabinets, tables and chairs for the dormitory that is expected to house around 16 - 20 doctors and ancillary staff.

As of this writing, the Department of Health reported that Occidental Mindoro has four confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 21 suspect cases.

“We understand that some of our doctors and nurses need to stay at the dorm to attend to these patients. That is more than enough reason for us to mobilize our team and help the hospital furnish its dormitory,” PENR Officer Ernesto Tañada said

DENR MIMAROPA Executive Director Henry Adornado expressed that the agency recognizes the role of the frontliners in fighting the disease and helping not only the patients but the whole community to recover from it. It is but apt for the DENR to extend all possible help to support them.

“We hope that through the donated forest products, we are able to provide our doctors and nurses sturdy beds to sleep on; and other furnishings that could give them some respite after an exhausting day of work,” the Director noted.

“Besides staying at home, it (donation of lumber) is perhaps the least that we could do in exchange for all the sacrifices that our frontliners have made in this very difficult time,” he concluded. (With reports and photo from PENRO Occidental Mindoro and PENRO Oriental Mindoro.) ###

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Published: 30 April 2020

Vigilance amid COVID-19.

Onto the third week of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in MIMAROPA has apprehended in separate locations in the region, abandoned lumber which were believed to be illegally cut while the entire country was observing extreme measures to fight COVID-19.

On March 22, the Monitoring and Enforcement Section of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro apprehended and hauled at Sitios Anduyanan and San Pablo in Brgy. Alipaoy, Paluan town a total of 880.28 board feet of Amugis, Lauan and Banuyo, premium species of trees that are used to build structures and make furniture.

“We have to retrieve the lumber immediately, otherwise, the perpetrators would get them back, or other people might take them for personal use,” Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) in Occidental Mindoro, Ernesto Tañada said.

As part of administrative proceedings, a notice was left in the area for any claimant to show proof of ownership of the apprehended lumber. The items were then transported to CENRO Sablayan Coordinating Office in Mamburao for documentation and seizure, and for said office to take custody of the lumber.

Similarly, DENR employees in Sibuyan, Romblon, apprehended from March 23 - 24, Apitong lumber with a total volume of 266 bd ft in Brgy. Espana in San Fernando town. Two days after, with the help of the Philippine National Police, the team also retrieved abandoned 120 bd ft of red Lauan in Brgy. Mabini.

“It is difficult at these times, but we maintain to be on call 24/7 to protect our forests,” Romblon PENR Officer Maximo Landrito expressed.

Meanwhile in Palawan, the Forest Product Monitoring Station  of CENRO Taytay recovered 10 sacks of charcoal of mangrove species in Brgy. Aberawan, El Nido on March 16. The group also apprehended 10 sacks of charcoal of Forest Tree species abandoned at Sitio Talogon, Brgy. Bagong-bayan in Taytay on March 21.

“Our team likewise responded to a slash and burn (kaingin) cultivation in Sitio Sablayan, Brgy. Pancol, also in Taytay on March 23. The incident shall be under further investigation as we have already identified the owner of the lot, as well as those who initiated the activity,” Taytay CENR Officer Alan Valle reported.

In light of the imposition of ECQ,  government workers in the executive branch were ordered to work from home and maintain skeleton force to respond to essential and urgent services. DENR MIMAROPA, in consonance with the pronouncements of Civil Service Commission and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, has arranged for alternative working arrangements to ensure continuous delivery of service and safety of personnel at the same time.

“While most of us are at home, that does not stop us from being on the look out on anyone violating nature,” DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado said. “We know that illegal loggers would take advantage of the situation so we strengthen our monitoring and enforcement teams through the LGUs and communities to prevent them (violators) from succeeding in their unlawful activities,” he added.

RED Adornado meanwhile thanked the communities for keeping a watchful eye on the environment. CENRO Sablayan received a tip on the abandoned lumber from a concerned citizen. CENRO Taytay on the other hand, was informed of the illegal activities through social media.

The director clarified that DENR MIMAROPA takes precautionary measures whenever it deploys quick response teams to ensure the health and safety of its personnel as well as the community they are responding to.

“Defending nature is a daunting task, especially during these times. That is why we laud our personnel in the field for doing their job in the midst of this ECQ. We are also grateful knowing that as we all grapple with this dreaded disease, the public remains our constant partner in protecting our environment and natural resources,” he concluded. (With reports and photos from CENRO Sablayan, CENRO Taytay and PENRO Romblon) ###

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Published: 01 April 2020

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in MIMAROPA Region rescued on Thursday, an injured Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) stranded along the shores of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Personnel from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, who were working from home due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) being imposed over the entire Luzon, immediately responded to the report of the stranded species sent late afternoon by the staff of Sitio Barimbing in Brgy. San Manuel.

“In observance of preventive health measures on COVID-19, we made sure that our team headed to the area wearing personal protective equipment, and strictly observed the social distancing policy,” CENR Officer of Puerto Princesa, Felizardo Cayatoc noted.

The stranded turtle was measured 47 cm in curved carapace width (CCW) and 53 cm in curved carapace length (CCL). It weighted approximately seven kilos. There was no marine turtle tag attached to it as well. The response team believed that the turtle was hit by a boat propeller, as shown by the cuts on its head. The turtle was able to lift its head to breathe, but it was not swimming back to the sea.

“It might be disoriented due to the impact caused by the propeller,” Ma. Vivian Soriano, Chief of the Conservation and Development Section of CENRO  reported.

As advised by the Biodiversity Management Bureau, CENRO took into custody the injured turtle to further observe its health condition.

The following morning, the turtle was brought back to the sea. The response team was glad to see that it was able to crawl in the sand and make swimming movements when lifted. The movement of its flippers was also coordinated, and it could fully submerge itself and swim normally.

The team then attached to its right flipper, a marine turtle tag with serial number PH0704E to track its movements and collect valuable information that is necessary for its protection.

“We know it would be fine, so it was time to release the turtle back into the sea,” said Soriano who led the CENRO staff and officials of Brgy. San Manuel LGU in sending back the turtle into its natural habitat.

The Green Turtle is in the red list of threatened species of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Strong, concerted actions are called upon to protect and save its population.

“We are thankful that the community and the LGU remain vigilant in protecting our valued species, even amid the threat brought by COVID-19,” DENR Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado expressed.

“It is also at this time that we recognize our frontline and skeletal staff who continue to render public service despite the risks,” he added.

In line with the observance of ECQ in Luzon, and pursuant to the directive of Secretary Roy Cimatu, the regional and field offices of DENR MIMAROPA currently implement alternative working arrangements, with majority of the personnel working from home. They also maintained skeletal workforce to render vital and urgent/time-bound services.

“We assure the public that for as long as we would not compromise the health of our personnel and the community, we will respond and continue our work in protecting the environment even during these times,” the director concluded. (With report and photos from CENRO Puerto Princesa) ###

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Published: 23 March 2020

More than ready.

Puerto Princesa. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - MIMAROPA Region and the Provincial Government of Palawan once again joined forces to continuously protect the country’s last ecological frontier amid serious threats being faced not only by its rich biodiversity, but also by the people defending it.

In a management conference attended by the key officials of DENR, EMB and MGB -MIMAROPA on March 3, Palawan Governor Jose Ch Alvarez  turned over 20 units of firearms to DENR MIMAROPA to arm forest protection officers when they perform regular forest patrol and monitoring activities.

It can be recalled that in September 2019, DENR MIMAROPA’s Forest Ranger Bienvenido Veguilla was hacked to death by illegal loggers while he and his team were visiting a National Greening Program (NGP) site and found environmental violators on their way back in Brgy. Pasadena in El Nido. In August 2017, a forester was wounded while he and his team were ambushed when they apprehended suspected illegal loggers and confiscated an unlicensed chainsaw in the mountains of Puerto Princesa. Only a month later,  a village captain, who was also a  member member of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area Management Board (ENTMRPAMB), was killed by assailants who were reportedly had grudge with him for apprehending illegal lumber.

The 20 units of guns, which were the first batch of 150 firearms to be donated by the provincial government, were received by DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado, together with the officials from the DENR Central Office namely Undersecretary Jim Sampulna, Assistant Secretary Gilbert Gonzales, Assistant Secretary Marcial Amaro and Director Nilo Tamoria.

PENRO Eriberto Sanos of Palawan explained that while forest protection officers who shall be issued with the firearms had already attended basic course in firearms, the group will still undergo more intensive training to ensure responsible and safe gun handling.

After the turnover of firearms, RED Adornado and Governor Alvarez facilitated the documentation for the donation of 75,000 bdft of lumber to the provincial government and the local office of the Department of Education. This is in relation to the previous agreement between DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and Governor Alvarez to utilize the confiscated lumber and have them manufactured by the Provincial Government into tables, chairs and other school fixtures before distribution to the DepEd. 

“This only proves that the shared efforts of DENR and the LGU are crucial in saving Palawan’s natural resources and in helping our people, particularly the youth, in securing a brighter and greener future,”  Director Adornado remarked.

Later that day, Undersecretary Sampulna led an awarding ceremony that recognized the valiant efforts of Veguilla and his team on that fateful day of September 4, 2019. The undersecretary handed over to Veguilla’s sons, John Patrick and John Carl Matthew, the Medalya ng Bayaning Kalikasan Award in honor of their patriarch’s relentless dedication to defend the forests against all odds. A financial support amounting to Php 30,000 was also given to the forest ranger’s family.

Meantime, Veguilla’s team members, Jenuel Casel, Herson Caliao, Norlito Jongay, Godensio Caber and Marvin Flamiano, were awarded a Plaque of Recognition for going beyond the call of duty, and demonstrating strong commitment to protect the environment. ###

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Published: 09 March 2020