Environment Secretary Jim O. Sampulna on Saturday urges top officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in MIMAROPA Region to ensure the delivery of excellent public service above all, reminding each one to uphold integrity while performing their best for the interest of the people and the nation.

“Magtrabaho kayo ng maayos. Make sure you are in control of the situation but never use your position or authority for personal gain,” the environment chief made his marching orders clear during a short interface in El Nido, Palawan.

Secretary Sampulna also reminded the officers to ensure the welfare of their employees and staff.

“Take care of them, they are the wind beneath your wings,” he said.

The Secretary was in El Nido to lead the recognition of the municipal and provincial governments on the construction and operation of the town’s first Sewage and Solid Waste Treatment Plant. The SSTP is viewed as a critical undertaking to resolve the failing water quality and waste disposal problems in the island, especially in some portions of Bacuit Bay.

It was at this point that the DENR chief has summoned provincial leaders to replicate the efforts of El Nido and Palawan LGUs in addressing similar environmental problems in their respective areas.

“I am calling all the governors in the Philippines, dapat gayahin ninyo ito,” the Secretary  expressed.

Meanwhile, responding to the directive with positivity and enthusiasm, Regional Executive Director Lormelyn E. Claudio set a firm commitment to deliver alongside her Assistant Directors and Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENR and CENR Officers), who were all in attendance during the event.

During the recognition program, RED Claudio introduced to the Secretary the initiatives of the region, starting with the issuance of 30 patents consisting of 19 school sites and 11 local national government agencies in Palawan. This has also been the result of the lifting of the suspension in the issuance, processing and approval of survey authority, survey plans and public land applications in the province as instructed by Secretary Sampulna in his memorandum dated March 9, 2022.

The issuance of these patents brings to a total of 1, 245 processed public land patents in the entire MIMAROPA region as of March 30, 2022.

The Regional Executive Director likewise reported the collaborative efforts made with the Palawan local government to help its residents and communities recover from typhoon Odette, which ravaged the province in December 2021, particularly its capital Puerto Princesa, and the towns of Roxas and Taytay.

Under the partnership, teams were immediately mobilized to clear fallen trees and debris on the roads, and extend assistance in the repair of damaged houses and government structures. There were also five mini saw mills established to speed up the clearing operations.

On top of these, the agency also donated a total of 227, 874.98 board feet of lumber that was used to rebuild residential and public structures, which in the end benefitted, 1, 671 families in Puerto Princesa.

Earlier that day, Secretary Sampulna and RED Claudio, together with Palawan PENRO Felizardo Cayatoc, turned over 30 cubic meters or 7, 620 board feet of lumber to  Brgy.  Captain Henry Cacatian to aid the residents in Abaroan, Roxas start anew after the typhoon.

RED Claudio expressed that with the accomplishments of the region in the first quarter of 2022, she is certain that they have already set the ground running for the rest of the year.

She added that the office has also scheduled on Monday, April 4, 2022, a management conference to discuss strategic plans in response to the instructions of Secretary Sampulna.

“Yes, there is still much to be done. But with the guidance of the Secretary and other officials of the DENR, the public can expect the DENR MIMAROPA to be in full force in fulfilling our mandates to the environment and the people,” she concluded.

The interface was also graced by Undersecretary for Field Operations – Luzon, VIsayas and Environment, Juan Miguel Cuna; Assistant Secretary for Administration and Human Resoruces Hiro Masuda; Strategic Communication and Initiatives Services Director Khalil Bayam and Tayo Ang Kalikasan Executive Director Maria Matilda Gaddi.

(Left photo) Secretary Sampulna (third from right) turns over to Brgy. Captain Henry Cacatian of Abaroan, Roxas (second from left), 30 cubic meters or 7, 620 board feet of lumber (right photo) to help residents rebuild their houses and other facilities after typhoon Odette ravaged the town and other parts of Palawan in December, 2021. Together with the DENR chief were (from right, left photo), RED Lormelyn Claudio, Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna and Governor Jose Alvarez. 

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 04 April 2022

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources MIMAROPA Region celebrates National Women’s Month by conducting various activities and online competitions.

The month-long celebration of National Women’s Month aims to recognize the women sector of society and their countless contributions to its development. It is pursuant to several proclamations and legislation, specifically Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988 declaring the first week of March each year as Women’s Week. Other laws include Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988 providing the observance of March as Women’s Role in History Month and Republic Act 6949 s. 1990 declaring March 08 of every year as National Women’s Day, among others.

To cap the six-year recurring theme, “WE Make CHANGE Work for Women” with the sub-theme: “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran,” the regional office organized the following activities highlighting women exercising their choices, making their voices heard, and resilience.

• Kick-off Ceremony

March 07, 2022 (Monday Convocation)

Sharing of GAD information and lined-up activities for the National Women’s Month Celebration

• #Purple Tuesdays

Wear anything purple on all the Tuesdays of March to signify support for women’s empowerment and gender equality.     

• GAD Champions

Recognizing DENR-MIMAROPA partners who have made a dent in promoting/championing GAD/women empowerment and women who have made various contributions in climate change response and disaster risk reduction and mitigation, particularly during this pandemic. Submission of nominations by the field offices is on or before March 10, 2022.

Nominees will be uploaded on the DENR-MIMAROPA website and social media accounts.

• FREEDOM WALL cum BELIEVE IN YOUR SELFie Wall

An advocacy messaging platform where individuals can share their insights and show support to women empowerment and gender-related issues by writing on the FREEDOM WALL and/or taking a selfie and uploading them 08-25 March 2022, for the uploading of Selfies on their FB with the hashtag #DENRMIMAROPAWMC2022. Top three (3) SELFIE with most likes win a prize.

• JUANA TikTok?

A TikTok video challenge (maximum of 2 minutes) discusses and informs any gender and development topics and concerns.  There will be two (2) categories/groups of participants. These are the (1) general public; and (2) DENR-MIMAROPA employees/personnel.

March 07-28, 2022 for the posting/uploading video on TikTok. Three (3) videos with the most likes and relevant GAD concepts win prizes.

• Culminating Activity

March 31, 2022 (Thursday)

This virtual awards event will culminate the Women’s Month Celebration. The winners of the “Believe in your SELFie” and “JUANA TikTok” will be announced, and those nominated as GAD Champions will be recognized and given certification.

Other activities of the regional office for the Women’s Month includes hanging of NWMC streamers / tarpaulin, partaking in various women’s month online advocacies and program prepared by the Philippine Commission on Women and DENR Central Office, and the recognition of the City of Manila and their medical team for their untiring support to the DENR-MIMAROPA vaccination campaign. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 05 March 2022

Park Ranger Emeterio M. Quarre critically wounded and rushed to hospital in Sibuyan Island, Romblon (Photo credit: Park Ranger Martin Riñon)

An employee of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Romblon was critically wounded after a group of illegal loggers hacked him with a bolo upon operation against illegal logging activities in Sibuyan Island Romblon.

According to PENR Officer Maximo C. Landrito, the incident occurred on February 20, 2022, around 6:40-7:30 in the morning during patrol and surveillance in Sitio Cross Country, Barangay España, San Fernando.  

The untoward incident happened during the 26th commemoration of Mt. Guiting-Guiting Proclamation Anniversary. The victim was identified as Park Ranger (Job Order) Emeterio M. Quarre, 52 years old, married, and resident of Tampayan, Magdiwang, Romblon. On the said incident, the victim and other enforcers, namely Park Rangers Martin Riñon and Ronald Dangoy, agreed to separate to quickly apprehend the illegal loggers and the chainsaw in the said place.

Based on the report, the victim was assaulted and seriously hacked by Mr. Felix "Pelis" Romer, the chainsaw operator. After responding to the victim, the suspects quickly fled the area.

Meanwhile, his companions immediately rushed Quarre to San Fernando Municipal Health Clinic, then to Sibuyan District Hospital (SDH) in Cajidiocan for blood transfusion.

Romblon Governor Jose Ruado Riano, an active member of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), assisted the victim by arranging immediate patient transport services through a rescue boat bringing Quarre from SDH to Romblon District Hospital (RDH) in Romblon, Romblon, to examine his condition further.

From RDH, he was then referred by the attending physician to be transferred to Rizal Memorial Medical Center in Pasig City for medical operation and treatment.

The suspect, Mr. Felix Romero, is already facing a criminal complaint about Frustrated Murder before the Provincial Prosecutor Office in Romblon, Romblon.

Mt. Guiting-Guiting is the highest mountain in the province of Romblon, located at Sibuyan Island. It is also known as the "Densest Forest in the Philippines" and a biodiversity haven. The entire island has been compared numerous times with the biodiversity endemism rate of the Galapagos Islands.###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 28 February 2022

DENR MIMAROPA employees participating in the ‘Nuwebe’ film showing on December 7. PENR and CENR Office personnel also joined the activity through Zoom.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – MIMAROPA Region joined the entire nation in upholding women’s rights as it kicked off the 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW) during its Monday Convocation, November 18.

Anchored on the theme, “VAW-Free Community Starts with Me,” DENR MIMAROPA prepared a lineup of activities to ensure the office promotes a safe and productive environment for its clients, and more importantly to its female personnel who form almost half of its entire workforce.

Starting on November 25, there shall be hanging of tarpaulins and distribution of information, education and communication (IEC) materials to raise the level of awareness and elimination of all forms of violence against women. On December 7, the Office marks the premier of Nuwebe, a film inspired by the story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history. Directed by Joseph Israel Laban, Nuwebe tackles the life of 9-year-old Krista who persevered in spirit and great resolve amidst suffering sexual abuse from the hands of his very own father.

Finally on December 13, DENR MIMAROPA shall host a webinar about Republic Act (RA) 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal ang Bastos Law). The virtual forum shall tackle the salient provisions of the law, such as its scope, which covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplace, as well as online space.  It shall likewise discuss prohibited acts, such as catcalling, wolf-whistling, misogynistic and homophobic slurs, and unwanted sexual advances, among others.

The activities are organized pursuant to RA 10398 or the Act declaring November 25 of every year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of violence against women and children. Enacted on March 19, 2013, said law mandated government agencies to raise awareness on the problem of violence and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.

The law likewise stems from Proclamation No. 1172, which was signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006, which extends the national campaign to 18 days, up to December 12, to mark the historic date of the signing in the year 2000 of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.

Statistics

• 7, 000, 000 – number of children sexually abused every year in the Philippines as reported by CAMELEON, an international solidarity association founded in 1997 to develop a holistic approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence towards children and teenagers.

• 1 in 4 Filipino women age 14 – 49 – number of women violated by their husband or partner either physically, emotionally and sexually as shown in a study conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2017.

• 58% - The Social Weather Stations revealed that in a study held in 2016, 58% of incidents involving sexual harassment happen on the streets, major roads and alleys (eskinita).

• 68% of 500 young female respondents have experienced frequent online harassment on social media based on Plan International’s survey in 2020.

• 1 in 7 women in the Philippines – number of women in the country who experienced sexual harassment at least once every week as reported by Australian Aid in 2021. The report added that while past surveys account prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace, it was underreported due to fear of reprisal from alleged offender.

Amidst the crafting of numerous laws, rules and regulations to ensure gender equality and respect, it is unfortunate that these figures speak of the ills women go through in the society today. But there is no reason to abandon hope as everyone has the chance and power to end all forms of violence against women and children.

The Philippine Commission on Women has enlisted the following steps to promote strengthened and concerted efforts to promote gender equality. Here’s what you can do.

18 Steps to end VAW

Woman/Girl

1. Empower yourself. Know your rights and available courses of actions in case these rights are violated.
2. Speak out and report to the authorities in case your rights are violated.
3. Encourage others to fight for their rights.

Man/Boy

4. Respect women and girls in your home, workplace, and community.
5. Join male groups promoting Anti-VAW efforts and participate in discussions to broaden your awareness on the advocacy.
6. Enlighten/advise perpetrators to seek help and join the male Anti-VAW supporters.

Government Agency

7. Equip yourselves with apt trainings and capacity development sessions to improve service delivery for your clients.
8. Develop monitoring and evaluation strategy to assess the service to your clients’ supporters.
9. Let people know that you provide the services! We need to inform the public that there are government offices that they can turn to and trust to assist them towards healing and seeking justice.

Barangay

10. Ensure that your Barangay VAW Desk is functional. You can use the Barangay VAW Desk Handbook developed by PCW and DILG with partner agencies to guide you on what to do.
11. Establish linkages with local and national government agencies, as well as other organizations near your barangay where you can refer victim-survivors of VAW for needed assistance which the barangay is not able to provide.
12. Promote harmonious family and community relationships in your barangay which is grounded on mutual respect for human rights, and take proactive steps to attain a VAW-free community.

Private sector

13. Support the Anti-VAW efforts of the government and your immediate community.
14. Establish your own Action Desks where employees and clients can go to in case VAW happens.
15. Develop internal rules to proactively ensure that your workplace is VAW-free.

Academe/Training Institutions

16. Include concepts of VAW and women’s human rights in lesson plans/lesson guides of your teaching staff
17. Continually conduct/spearhead anti-VAW advocacies in your campus, and if possible, to your immediate community through extension programs.
18. Setup a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) where students and employees can seek help.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 15 December 2021

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 15 December 2021