1.26.2012 R-XI Bird Counting Activity On
In line with the Annual Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC) for migratory birds, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-XI (DENR-XI) now conducts a bird watching/bird counting activity at Malalag Bay, Davao del Sur; Carmen, Davao del Norte and Banaybanay, Davao Oriental. DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O Sampulna said that the bird counting will last until January 29, 2012. The municipalities of Malalag, Carmen and Banaybanay are the only three identified temporary habitats of migratory birds in the month of January after crossing the continents. This activity aims to obtain information on the population of migratory birds at wetlands in the region as well as to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands. Residents of this region are however warned not to enter into this venture as this bird maybe carrying the dangerous avian flu virus. Sampulna further said that last year, a total number of 7,836 migratory birds were counted by the three teams from PAWD. There were a total of 3,705 birds found in Malalag, Davao del Sur, 1,566 birds in Carmen, Davao del Norte and 2,565 birds in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental. These migratory birds are composed of different species like Godwit, Sand Plover, Common Greenshank and Black-winged Stilt to name a few. AWC is an annual event which takes place during the second and third weeks of January. The census was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and has grown rapidly to cover over 32 countries. According to the National Wetlands Program, many species of waterbirds fly in droves during winter to go to warmer and more hospitable tropics. After winter following weeks of hoping from one country to another, waterbirds go back the same way feeding on marine species of animals and plants found along the shores. (DENR-XI PR)
posted by Webmaster @ 2:35 PM
1.08.2012 DENR-XI approves 4,964 New Residential Free Patent
The Lands Management Service (LMS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-XI (DENR-XI) has fully implemented Republic Act (RA) 10023 or the New Residential Free Patent Act, approving a total number of 4,964 New Residential Free Patent titles which covers about 81.49 hectares within Region XI. In 2011, LMS-XI has approved a total number of 1,332 NRFPs in Davao Oriental, 1,001 in Davao del Norte, 1,429 in Compostela Valley Province and 1,202 in Davao del Sur and Davao City. This year, LMS has targeted a total of 6,627 Residential Free Patent titles for the whole of Region XI. DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O Sampulna has earlier instructed Regional Technical Director of Lands Management Service Atty. Felix Alicer to coordinate closely with the LGUs regarding RA 10023. “The LGUs should help the DENR inform their constituents about this law so that whoever is qualifies to apply can get their land title with a very minimum expense,” Sampulna added. Under RA 10023, any Filipino citizens who are an actual occupant of a residential land for at least ten (10) years are qualified to apply for residential free patent title provided that the land applied for is not needed for public service and/or public use and that the area does not exceed on the required specifications. Supporting documents such as a plan based on actual survey conducted by a licensed geodetic engineer approved by the DENR, technical description of the land applied for and supporting affidavit of two disinterested persons residing in the barangay of the city or municipality where the land is located are also needed. Applications for RFPs are filed at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR. CENRO is mandated to process the application within 120 days and recommends the same application to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO). PENRO shall have five days to approve or disapprove the application. The New Residential Free Patent Act is seen to benefit approximately 39 million Filipinos especially those occupying 7.8 million parcels of untitled lands classified as residential. It will also provide a security of tenure to Filipinos who will be able to have the land they occupy titled in their own names and all subsequent transactions monitored, reducing the risk of fake titling. (DENR-XI PR) posted by Webmaster @ 11:25 AM
1.08.2012 We Will Clear Our Ranks – DENR XI
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI) Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna vows to personally look into the alleged report about some corrupt employees and officials under him. “I openly take the challenge made upon me to clear and dismiss corrupt DENR-XI employees. We are presently undergoing a very thorough investigation about this and have identified two personalities allegedly involved on this act in the region,” Sampulna added. As far as the implementation of Executive Order no. 23, Sampulna pointed out that for 2011, DENR-XI was able to confiscate a total of 4,319 cu.m. of illegally cut or transported forest products with an estimated market value of P19,652,264.97. Part of these confiscations were donated to the Department of Education (DepED-XI) for manufacturing of school armchairs, desks, teachers’ table and other school fixtures. To date, DENR has already donated a total of 2,788.67 cu.m. of confiscated logs to DepEd. Since DepEd-XI has no capacity to mill, process or manufacture these logs into desks, chairs, tables, among others for use in the schools, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by the DepED, DENR and the Local Government of Tagum City under Mayor Rey T. Uy for the manufacturing of these logs into school fixtures. Thus, the confiscated logs donated by the DENR to DepEd will be manufactured by LGU Tagum City through their Carpentry Shop of located at the their Motorpool. The MOA also cited that the LGU is tasked to turn over the finish products to DepEd, while the DepEd will submit report to the DENR on the number of school fixtures turned-over by the LGUs to them. Per report submitted by the Office of Mayor Uy to the DENR-XI, there were already 11,995 school chairs and desks manufactured out of the confiscations donated to DepEd. Further, there were 117 double deck beds donated to the Philippine Army and the PNP as well as 52 hospital beds donated to Provincial of Compostela Valley Province. Moreover, DENR has also donated a total of 62.23 cu.m. of confiscated logs to the LGU of Davao Oriental. Out of these, the LGU through the initiative of Congresswoman Thelma Z. Almario was able to turn-over to DepED 685 armchairs and 427 desks. A total of 138.31 cu.m. of confiscated logs donated to the AFP/PNP and 350.94 cu.m. to the different Local Government Units. “I believe that DENR-XI is not remiss in its function to protect the forests. My men in coordination with the LGUs, PNP, Philippine Army and the National Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force have risked their lives and work long hours on field to make these confiscations” Sampulna said. EO 23 also mandates all concerned municipality/city mayors through their respective Barangay Captains to conduct periodic upland monitoring to ensure that no illegal logging, kaingin and other forms of forest destruction occur in their areas of jurisdiction and in case of occurrence , report same to the Regional Anti-illegal logging task force through the provincial governor/or DILG Regional Director. (Bing Cordova/DENR XI PR).
LGU-manufactured desk and chairs out of the confiscations donated by DENR-XI.
posted by Webmaster @ 11:25 AM
12.21.2011 Holcim Davao Gets DENR’s Seal of Approval
Holcim Davao is one of the 15 companies recently awarded with the Seal of Approval under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR’s) Philippine Environment Partnership Program (PEPP). Awarded under “Track 1” category implies that Holcim Davao “goes beyond simple compliance, driven by competitiveness, image and supply chain requirements to improve their performance”. DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, who led the Awarding ceremonies at the DENR Social Hall in Quezon City, said that PEPP is a program that supports the aspiration of industries toward self-regulation. “With PEPP, we wish to recognize and show our appreciation for companies that give premium environmental protection as an integral business concern”, Paje added. The DENR Official Seal of Approval for Track 1 awardees is valid for one year. Industries that fall under this category should have no cases filed against then with the Pollution Adjudication Board of the DENR for three years prior to their date of application; have fully complied with all applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations; and have a proven record of superior environmental performance. Holcim Davao Plant Manager Engr. Joseph A. Bernal stressed that the award further validates that their culture of excellence is not only limited to ensuring quality of product and safety in the workplace. The award definitely boosts their resolve to sustain the initiatives and at the same time it also prompts them to strive higher level of excellence in everything that they do. Environment Management Bureau (EMB-XI) Regional Director Metudio U. Turbella said that Holcim’s performance is a challenge to all industries in Region XI. “Like Holcim, they should aim for excellent performance and give utmost consideration to environmental protection as part of their business operations”, Turbella added. Moreover, Turbella said that part of the instruction given by DENR Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna to his office is the regular monitoring of the industries and well as encouraging them to join the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Government. In response to this, Holcim adopted the two hundred (200) hectares of forestland in Sitio Dumalama, Tamugan, Marilog District under the NGP last October 15, 2011. The NGP is one of the priority programs of the government spelled out in Executive Order No. 26 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on February 24, 2011. It is geared towards attaining sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation. (bing cordova denr-XI Press Release) posted by Webmaster @ 11:25 AM
12.21.2011 19.6M Worth of Illegal Forest Products Seized in R-XI
Despite the implementation of Executive Order (E.O.) No. 23 and the massive campaign against forest destruction, a total of 4,319.02 cu.m. of illegally cut or transported forest products with an estimated market value of P19,652,264.97 pesos were seized in Region XI for year 2011. Of these confiscations, 2,206.20 cu.m. with an estimated market value of P9,804,097.02 were from in Compostela Valley; 1,067.05 cu.m. valued at P5,518,786.07 were from Davao del Norte; 328.68 cu.m. valued at P2,312,816.38 from Davao del Sur; and, 717 cu.m. valued at P2,016,564.60 from Davao Oriental. These are mostly composed of lumber, flitches, logs and logbolts of mixed dipterocarp species, lauan, kamagong, yakal, among others. Allegedly, most or 80 percent of these confiscated forest products are sourced outside region XI. “The seizure/confiscations of these forest products was made possible by the joint efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI), National and Regional Anti-illegal Logging Task Force, the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army, LGUs, other sectors and concerned citizens”, Sampulna added. Part of the 2011 confiscations were donated to the Department of Education (DepED-XI) for manufacturing of school armchairs, desks, teachers’ tables and other school fixtures. To date, DENR has already donated a total of 2,788.67 cu.m. of confiscated logs to DepEd, 138.31 cu.m. to the AFP/PNP and 350.94 cu.m. to LGUs. Under Section 2 of E.O. 23, DepEd is given priority for all the confiscated logs. EO 23 is the “Moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forest and creating the anti-illegal logging task force”. This was issued by President Benigno S. Aquino, III on February 1, 2011. Further, E.O. 23, also mandates all concerned municipal/city mayors, through their respective Barangay Captains are tasked to conduct periodic upland monitoring to ensure that no illegal logging, kaingin and other forms of forest destruction occur in their areas of jurisdiction and in case of occurrence, report the same to the RTF through the provincial governor and/or DILG regional director. (bing cordova/DENR XI/PR).
posted by Webmaster @ 11:25 AM
12.20.2011 DENR-XI Readies NGP Reports for Notarization
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje recently required all field officers to first appear before a notary public attorney to swear on the correctness of their accomplish reports on the National Greening Program (NGP) before submitting them to DENR’s head office in Quezon City. Paje explained that his directive to all the 16 regional executive directors and other DENR field officers playing key roles in NGP implementation intends to remove doubts on the veracity of NGP reports and to raise the agency’s competence in providing reports to the people and the President. In line with this, DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna said that all field officers in the region are already preparing the necessary papers including pictorials, monitoring reports, among others for notarization. “Secretary Paje’s call to heighten transparency as well as accountability and truthfulness in the preparation of reports will strictly be observed in my area of jurisdiction”, Sampulna added. Under the NGP, region XI was able to surpass its target of 2,757,000 by 4 percent, making its total accomplishment of seedlings planted to 2,867,000. This is excluding the 489,871 seedlings planted by its partner agencies. Sampulna highly attributed the success of the NGP implementation in the region to the volunteers specifically the students, Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) holders, LGUs and other partner agencies. DENR-XI’s target for 2011 is to plant 2,757,000 thousand of seedlings covering an area of 5,514 while its target for 2012 is to plant a total of 6,028,444 covering an area of 12,087 hectares. posted by Webmaster @ 11:25 AM 12.20.2011 DENR-XI Surpasses 2011 NGP Target
Thousands of NGP volunteers and partners in Region XI take full pride as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI) surpasses its 2011 National Greening Program (NGP) target by 4%, increasing the number of seedlings planted from 2,757,000 to 2,867,000 covering a total area of 5,734 hectares. Aside from this, it has also significantly partnered with other agencies, local government units (LGUs) and industries resulting to an additional of 489,871 seedlings planted covering a total of 1,547 hectares. These seedlings were either purchased by the partners themselves as their contribution to the environment or were provided by the nurseries of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) in the region. DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna explained that the excess 110,000 seedlings planted were purchased using the savings generated from the NGP budget allocation for 2011. “We did not ask for additional funding to be able to surpass our targets, we utilized our budget wisely hence this accomplishment”, Sampulna said. “We are aiming for a 100 percent survival of all the seedlings planted, that is why we have strengthened our monitoring activities. NGP is not just about planting trees, it is also about ensuring that the planted trees will grow so that holistically the aim of the project will be achieved,” Sampulna added. NGPs success in region XI is highly attributed to the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Peoples Organizations who are the principal host of the program and to the overwhelming participation as well as support of the local government units (LGUs), students, industries and other partner agencies. DENR-XI’s NGP target for 2012 is to plant a total of 6,028,444 covering an area of 12,087 hectares (Bing Cordova, DENR-11 PR).
posted by Webmaster @ 11:25 AM 12.13.2011 Davao River Proposed as WQMA
Davao City – Davao River is proposed as a water quality management area (WQMA) by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-XI) in line with Republic Act No. 9275 or the Clean Water Act of 2004. In a meeting with some barangay officials and other concerned sector today (Dec. 12) at Grand Menseng Hotel, Magallanes Street, EMB-XI discussed the criteria for the selection of WQMA as spelled out In RA 9275. WQMA is one of the approaches identified to protect the water quality from pollution which creates economic and financial losses to the country. EMB Regional Director Metudio U. Turbella said that under RA 9275, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through EMB is mandated to designate certain areas as WQMA using the appropriate physiographic units such as watershed, river basins or water resources regions. Turbella further said that the coverage of such designation include: surface waters either natural or man-made such as streams (rivers and creeks), lakes as well as marine waters and land within the hydrologic unit such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, forest and protection areas. “We will be conducting series consultations with various stakeholders in line with the proposed WQMA. This first meeting is one of the things we need to do, aside from the data gathering activities and the creation of the Governing Board”, Turbella added. To date, EMB has nine water monitoring stations established located at Mouth of Davao River, Bolton Bridge, Bankerohan Bridge, Marfori Heights, San Rafael Bridge, Bacaca, Riverwalk Crocodile Park, Maa Bridge (Diversion Road) and Waan Bridge. The Water quality of Davao River from 2006 to 2010 is classified as Class B- Downstream Stations 1-4 (mouth of the river, below Bolton Bridge, Below Bankeroha Bridge and Davao River, Diversion Bridge, Maa) and Class A – Upstream Stations 5-6 ( Davao River at Mandug area and Davao River approximately 800 meters downstream from the confluence of Tamugan River. These classifications are based on the parameters monitored such as temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), total suspended solids and total dissolved solids. Class A or Public Water Supply Class II are sources of water supply that will require complete treatment (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) in order to meet the NSWD Standard. Class B or Recreational Water Class I are for primary contact recreation such as bathing, swimming and skin diving or particularly those designated for tourism purposes. Technical presenters during the meeting are composed of: Engr. Nestor V. Patnugot, Maria Dolores Batoctoy, Engrs. Arnulfo Alvarez and Dulce Hufancia. Barangay officials present during the meeting are: Aurora L. Baldonado abd Oliva Cal of Barangay Maa; Norberto Fudalan of Camp Leonor; Kharla Phaula Garcia of Magallanes; Raul Bicung, Ricardo Navales of Tigatto and Larry Laditan of Magtuod. (Bing Cordova/DENR-XI PR).
posted by Webmaster @ 1:25 PM
12.13.2011 Region XI has 21 River Adopters
A total of 21 business industries and Local Government Units (LGUs) in region XI commit to “adopt-a-river” by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). The program dubbed as “adopt-a-river/adopt a Creek” is identified as one of the strategies to encourage private and public sectors to participate and extend support in cleaning up region XI’s waterways. Further, this aims to ensure maintenance and undertake activities relative to the proper disposal of garbage. Under the MOA, the adopters such as the LGUs and business entities commit to assist the government agencies in the proper disposal of garbage generated in the areas they adopted, ensure the participation of the public to achieve the objectives of the program, assist in the conduct of information campaign and participate in the clean-up as well as tree planting activities. The DENR through EMB, on the other hand, will monitor the creeks and rivers adopted, ensure that measures be undertaken to reduce creek or river pollution in order to improve quality of water bodies in the region, provide technical support in the proper implementation of ecological solid waste in the barangays, among others. DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna explained that this program gained the positive support of the business sectors and the LGUs. “ Cleaning and maintaining the cleanliness of the water bodies in the region cannot be done solely by the government alone, hence we are mobilizing various sectors”, he added. Sampulna further said that it is also imperative that everyone must be informed to throw their garbage properly so as not to pollute and clog the water bodies. We all know that water ways clogged with unmanaged wastes such as cellophanes, bottles, among others will exacerbate floodings in a given area,” Sampulna added. Likewise, EMB-XI Regional Director Metudio U. Turbella said that his staff along with other DENR personnel also conducts a quarterly river clean-up to reinforce the activities being done by the adopters. Among the river adopters are: Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines, Coronon , Davao del Sur adopted Coronon River; Hedcor Sibulan Inc. adopted Sibulan River; Davao Sugar Central Co. Inc. adopted Padada River, Nakayama Technology Corp with Brgys. Cogo and Aplaya Digos City for Digos River; Tagdangua Devvelopment Corp/Musahat Farms with Brgy. Tagdangua, Pantukan, Comval for Lahi River; Lapanday Foods Corp with Brgy. Macgum, New Corella, Davao Norte for Saug River; Apex Mining Co. Inc with Brgy. Teresa, Maco, Comval for Malumon and Buena Tigbaw Rivers; Brgys. Matina Pangi, Matina Crossing and Matina Aplaya, Davao City for Matina River; Mampising CARP Beneficiaries Multi-Pupose Coop with LGU Brgy. Tagnanan, Mabini, Comval Province for Tagbalaobao River; MD Isalon Organic Banana Agri Ventrues, Inc with LGU Bongabong, Pantukan, Comval for Bongabong River; Marsman Drysdale Rio Vista Agri-Ventures, Inc. with Brgy. Pangi, Maco, Comval Province for Hijo River; MD Nabunturan Agri-Ventures, Inc. (MDNAVI) with LGU-Brgy. Ogao, Nabunturan, Comval Province for Manat River; and MD Panabo Agri-Ventures, Inc. with LGU-Brgy, Kasilak, Panabo City. The creek adopters are: Senorita Farms Inc with Brgys Inawayan, Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur for Quinokol Creek; San Josue Realty and Development Corp. with Barangay Angliongto, Davao City for Mamay Creek; Brgy. Buhangin for San Isidro Creek; Brgy. Hizon for Hizon Creek; Industrial Pollution Prevention of the Phils., Inc. (IPPCPI) with Brgy. Matina Aplaya, Davao City for Shanghai Creek; LHU Brgy Pampanga, Davao City for Pampanga Creek; MD Davao Agri-Ventures, Inc. with LGU-Brgy. Nicolas, Panabo City Borbon Creek. (Bing Cordova/DENR-XI/PR).
posted by Webmaster @ 1:25 PM
12.13.2011 DENR-XI Names Top Sector Volunteers Under NGP
Davao City - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI) names the top three Sector/Industry volunteers in its tree planting activity under the National Greening Program (NGP). These top three sectors contributed much to the 457,375 tree seedlings planted by the volunteers along riverbanks, roadsides and reforestation project sites. Other sectors that volunteered include the Apex Mining Co. Inc.; Civil Service Commission, Kabalikat sa Maunlad na Buhay, Inc; and Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Tigatto, Buhangin District; Anislagan Elementary School, Maco, Comval Province; and BLGU of Barangay Matina Pangi, Davao City. DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna said that the success of the NGP in the region is largely attributed to the volunteers specifically the students, Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) holders, LGUs and other partner agencies. Sampulna said that as early as December 1, 2011, DENR have already surpassed its 2011 regional NGP target to plant of 2,757,000 thousand of seedlings covering an area of 5,514. There were a total of 3,239,375 seedlings planted in region XI under the NGP surpassing the target by 482,375 seedlings or 17.5%. Out of these 482,375 seedlings, 457,375 were planted by the industry/sector volunteers and 25,000 were planted at Mt. Apo Natural Park specifically at Sta. Cruz and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.
posted by Webmaster @ 1:25 PM
12.05.2011 7.4M Political Boundary Survey for District 3 Reels Off
Davao City 3rd District Representative Congressman Isidro Ungab yesterday (December 1, 2011) led the launching of the PhP7.4 million political boundary survey under the Cadastral Survey project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI). Ungab pointed out that until now there is no clear delineation and boundaries among the different barangays in Calinan, thus this political survey is a very timely undertaking of the DENR. “It will surely propel development because by then each barangay can collect their appropriate real property taxes and barangay conflicts can be avoided”, he added. Moreover, Engr. Robert Alabado, OIC- City Planning Officer who represented Mayor Sarah Z. Duterte-Carpio stressed this project of the DENR is one of the few chances to resolve barangay boundary conflicts. He urged all the Barangay officials present to cooperate with the DENR so that the City can fully focus on development activities. “The Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) that every barangay gets is what makes boundary delineation very important. We do not have budget for political boundary surveys and we are lucky that the DENR has allocated an amount for the activity”. Regional Technical Director Felix S. Alicer said that during the survey there can be possible existing boundary conflicts in some barangays, but the DENR will give them enough time to have a dialogue. “We all know that under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines, the budget of each barangay depends on their land area. This makes this political boundary survey very critical”. All in all, there will be 23 stations for Baguio District; 56 stations for Calinan District; 19 stations for Marilog District; 42 stations for Toril District; and, 38 stations for Tugbok District. Geolane Land Consultants under Engr. Gilbert Palacol will undertake the survey within 240 calendar days. (bing c. cordova/denr-xi PR)
posted by Webmaster @ 1:45 PM
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