The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) MIMAROPA Region aims to raise public awareness on eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle as it leads the celebration of Month of the Ocean through cleanup activities in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
Anchored on the theme, "Sustainably Feed the Global Population," the cleanup activity on Brgy. Buenavista yielded a total of 48 sacks of collected wastes, gathered by 192 volunteers from Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro State College, Philippine National Police – Sablayan, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Tau Gamma Phi/Sigma and holders of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) in Sablayan.
Meanwhile in Brgy. San Vicente, a short environmental lecture on the no to single-use plastics advocacy of Tayo Ang Kalikasan (TAK) and facts on the celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity was held on May 24 organized by Information Officers Serna Urieta and Shyla Alah Abutan and thus attended by the students and teachers of the San Vicente National High School.
Tayo Ang Kalikasan Focal person and Information Officer Janice Belen stated that “The conservation and protection of our biodiversity must always be an urgent concern for people of all ages and in all walks of life. Protection of our environment should not always be a heavy burden as simple acts such as shifting our lifestyle and consumer choices can go a long way and change the lives of our future generation as well.”
June 16, 2023. DENR and EMB in MIMAROPA Region took some time off to commemorate the 36th year that the DENR was mandated as the primary agency responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country's environment and natural resources.
In a one-day fun-filled activity, officials and employees grouped into four teams, Green, Red, Yellow and Blue.
Yellow Team won in Men and Women's volleyball, while Green Team emerged as Champions in men's basketball.
Employees who have served for 20, 30 and 40 years were recognized for their loyalty in service.
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)
DENR MIMAROPA officials with the Alliance of Marinduque Butterfly permittees and Dr. Maarten Bijleveld.
Photographs featured in the exhibit taken by Marinduque Butterfly Permittees.
RED Lormelyn E. Claudio giving her inspirational message during the exhibit launching.
Ms. Elizabeth Lumawig Heitzmann, President of the Association of Cawit Butterfly Breeders Village and of the Alliance of Marinduque Butterfly Permittees.
Dr. Maarten Bijleveld, a Dutch biologist and co-founder of the World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands, congratulates the office on the successful exhibit launch.
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 (4th 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 (2nd from right) for protecting the unique biodiversity of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and PASu Angelique Songco (2nd 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. ###
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.
