The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau and Mines and Geosciences Bureau in MIMAROPA Region hold today the 3rd management conference for 2022, which is also the first meeting that gathered together all key officials in person since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020. DENR Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio, EMB Regional Director Joe Amil Salino and MGB Regional Director Glen Marcelo Noble, PENROs, CENROs and Division Chiefs expressed positivity that with the offices’ accomplishments in the last six months, MIMAROPA Region is all set to meeting its targets for the rest of the year.
Personnel of the Tamaraw Conservation Program released two male Reticulated pythons (Malayophyton reticulatus) at the DENR MIMAROPA’s Tamaraw Genepool Farm in Barangay Manoot, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on July 3, 2022.
Concerned citizens in Brgy Ambulong found the longer reptile on July 2, while it was about to attack a local’s livestock goat. Kag. Edilfredo Abos and Kag. Florentino Encila coordinated with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in San Jose, which assisted them in the turnover of the reptile to the TCP. Upon evaluation of resident veterinarian, Dr. Mikko Angeles Reyes, the python measured 14 feet long, weighted 21.9 kilograms and was estimated to be more than five years old. Dr. Reyes said the reptile was in good condition to be brought back into the wild.
Meanwhile, resident Reydan Trinidad spotted the other python in a pond at St. Joseph Seminary in Brgy. Pag-asa on June 13, before it was surrendered later that day to the TCP office, also for assessment. The snake measured four feet long, weighed 2.49 kilograms and was about a year old. The yearling had an abrasion on its head so it got treated first before it was released together with the other python.
The recent sightings of snakes can be associated with the onset of the rainy season. Dr. Reyes explained that burrows or dwellings get destroyed or flooded with rainwater, hence, snakes move out or are forcibly flushed out of their habitat. He added that it is also the python’s hatching season so one may expect to see hatchlings around.
The Reticulated python is a non-venomous snake native to South and Southeast Asia. It lives in rainforests, grassland areas and is often found near or in streams and lakes. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the reptile is a widespread and common species in the Philippines. It is also classified as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List.
Being the world’s largest snake, the species is often persecuted out of fear. Consequently, Dr. Reyes was quick to caution the public not to hurt or harm the reptile should they encounter one.
“Leave them alone. Snakes usually avoid human contact. Kung takot tayo sa kanila, mas takot sila sa atin,” he pointed out.
The vet also reminded that it is best to call the authorities for proper identification and restraining of the snakes, further warning that snake bites are more common if they are restrained.
Republic Act No. 9147 “An Act Providing for the Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Resources and their Habitats,” specifies as illegal acts the killing, destroying and inflicting injury to wildlife species. (With reports and photos from CENRO San Jose, Tamaraw Conservation Program and PENRO Occidental Mindoro). ###
All for Apo Reef: DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio (center) commends the Apo Reef Natural Park Protected Area Management Board, staff and rangers for their valuable efforts and contributions, which led to the protected area’s attainment of the prestigious Platinum Blue Park Award by the Marine Conservation Institute. With her in a special PAMB meeting held on July 6, 2022 are (standing, from left) MENRO Robert Duquil, Forester Celso Almazan, CG PO2 Michael John Tobias, John Paul Aristotle Ramos, CENRO Anastacio Santos, Algene Edward Francisco, PENRO Ernesto Tañada, Luis Caraan, Lorenzo Ordenes, Melchor Quiatchon and Ruther John Col-long, (sitting from left), PAMBCS Chief Michaela Rongavilla, Atty. Gandhi Flores, Ms, Grace Diamante and PASu Krystal Dayne Villanada.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – MIMAROPA Region, headed by Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio, lauded the efforts of the members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), staff and rangers of the Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP) after it was conferred the prestigious Platinum Blue Park Award by the Marine Conservation Institute (MCI) at the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Blue Park Award acknowledges the outstanding efforts by the national governments, non-profit organizations, marine protected area managers, and local communities to protect marine ecosystems. According to MCI, the Apo Reef has met the highest science-based standards for conservation effectiveness as evaluated by an international council of marine conservation experts.
During its special PAMB meeting on July 6, 2022, RED Claudio awarded to the members of the Board, a certificate of recognition for their valuable efforts in the management, conservation and protection of Apo Reef Natural Park.
The PAMB serves as the policy-making body of the Apo Reef pursuant to the provisions of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 as amended by Republic Act 11038 or the eNIPAS Act of 2018. It is chaired by the Regional Executive Director of the DENR, with the following as members: officials from the Department of Agriculture, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of National Defense.
Also part of the PAMB are officials and representatives from the local government unit, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) present in the area; academic institutions, and NGOs/private sector.
RED Claudio likewise acknowledged the dedication and hard work of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ernesto Tañada, Protected Area Superintendent Krystal Dayne Villanada as well as the personnel of the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) in safeguarding the island paradise.
The PAMO, which was also created pursuant to the eNIPAS Act of 2018, is headed PASu Villanada who supervises the day to day management, protection and administration of the protected area.
She is supported by a team of equally competent and committed staff and rangers, namely Anna Ritchelle D. Nicanor, Odelon Dangeros, Fernando Advincula, Roberto Beringuela, Efraim Pagador, Hugo Ignacio Salvador, Stephany Kenenth Khen Colesio, Federico de Jesus, Michael Dagdag, Temart Rebito, Sherwin Benoza, Ludygario Matira, Kelvin John Zubiri, Salvador Ciasico, Ricky Dantayana, Romel Pacaul, Mark Dennis Barretto, and Rendel John Tulaylay
“The Platinum Blue Park Award is a testament that the shared responsibility to protect our environment is greatly fulfilled in this part of the world,” RED Claudio expressed.
“We would not have achieved this award without your hard work and sacrifices. It is truly an honor to be working with the most committed people in the name of marine conservation,” RED Claudio expressed.
Located 33 kilometers off the coast of Sabalayan, Occidental Mindoro, the Apo Reef Natural Park covers 27,469 hectares of rich and unique biodiversity. It is the largest coral atoll-like reef in the country and the second largest contiguous reef in the world. ###
DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Lormelyn E. Claudio (third form left) administered the turnover ceremony for OIC-CENRO of Coron, Forester Rodney Verian; and OIC PENRO of Romblon, Forester Arnoldo Blaza (third from right) at the Regional Office’s Conference Room on June 10, 2022.
Present to witness the event were (from left) Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Maximo Landrito, Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Donna Mayor-Gordove, EMB-MIMAROPA Regional Director Joe Amil Salino, and the Division Chiefs in the Regional Office (not in photo). Employees from PENRO Romblon and CENRO Coron also joined the event via Zoom.
Meanwhile, CENRO Verian formally reported for duty on June 13, 2022 as he led the flag raising ceremony and convened a forum with the personnel of CENRO Coron and Busuanga Pasture Reserve (BPR). In his message, the newly designated CENR Officer reminded his fellow workers to remain on top of the situation especially on issues that concern conservation of natural resources and enforcement of environmental laws.
"We should be proactive. We will revive the monitoring stations in strategic locations in Coron. Let's bring DENR closer to the people," he concluded. (With reports from CENRO Coron)
June 8, 2022. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - MIMAROPA Region expresses high hopes that the simultaneous tree planting activity staged to celebrate June as Philippine Environment Month, is a leap to strengthen citizen engagement in the shared mission to conserve and protect the only planet we can call home.
Anchored on the theme, “Aksyon Para sa Natatanging Mundo,” which highlights collective and transformative actions for the protection and restoration of the planet, the tree planting activity has gathered together more than 2,000 participants from both the private and public sectors across the five island provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
Present at the activity sites as early as 6:00 am, the participants had planted in an hour or so, 12, 556 seedlings of forest and fruit bearing trees to a total estimated area of 13 hectares throughout the region.
Planted seedlings were Narra, Kamagong, Bamboo, Ipil, Bitaog, Kupang, Bangkal, Banaba, Tongkat Ali, Mangosteen, and Guyabano,
Meanwhile in Iloilo City, DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Lormelyn E. Claudio, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Maximo Landrito and Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Donna Mayor-Gordove joined the Departments’ key officials in planting bamboo trees as part of the Leadership and Environmental Sustainability Summit.
As the simultaneous tree-planting activities also commemorated DENR’s 35th founding anniversary, RED Claudio extends her thanks to all those who made time to participate in the event.
“We are always grateful that in performing our gargantuan task to protect the environment in the last 35 years, we have the people, organizations, groups, and institutions who all take part in this concerted effort to sustain the Earth,” RED Claudio stated.
For more than three decades since its establishment under Executive Order 192 dated June 10, 1987, the DENR has initiated tree-planting activities as a primary and critical step to improve the quality of life as well as of the environment. Planting trees help restore the forests, mitigate the effects of climate change, protect the watersheds and other sources of water, and yields fruits and other products that have become sources of life and livelihood.
“As we celebrate the Environment Month and DENR Anniversary, may we all continue to be responsible stewards of nature, and may we always remember to offer our efforts for the welfare of our environment and natural resources, and to the One who created them all,” Director Claudio concluded. ### (With photos and reports from P/CENRO Information Officers)
