Among the 16 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Offices nationwide, the DENR Bicol headed by Regional Executive Director (RED) Francisco E. Milla, Jr., CESO III reigned supreme as the grand winner in the Kabahagi: An International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD) 2022 Capture Quest, a photo marathon contest organized by the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) in partnership with Canon Philippines.

 The Kabahagi Photo Marathon Contest was a prequel event in celebration of the IDBD 2022 with the theme, "Building a shared future for all life," which aimed to showcase the beauty of protected areas in the regions.

For Bicol Region, the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) in Bulusan, Sorsogon was featured by the DENR Bicol Regional Team dubbed, "Team Oragon"."Oragon" is a Bikol term which means "astig" in Filipino or "feisty/fierce/strong" in the English language.

Team Oragon is composed of employees from the Conservation and Development Division (CDD), Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Iriga and Goa, Camarines Sur.

Five photo entries were rigorously chosen for the categories namely, Flora and Fauna, Symmetry, Details, Movement, and Open/Creative Category. All images were straight out of camera.

RED Milla in behalf of the team, received the Php 50,000.00 cheque, and a brand new Canon camera during the awarding ceremony segment at the launching of the Year of the Protected Areas (YoPA) at the EDSA Shangrila, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

RED Milla expressed his gratitude to the DENR BMB for the opportunity of showcasing the PAs in the country and his appreciation to the Team Oragon who exerted their time, effort, and expertise to produce outstanding photographs worthy of the prizes. "Indeed, we have proven that we are Oragons in exhibiting the beauty of the Bicol Region. With this, I hope that we get to encourage the public to help us protect, conserve, and manage the environment and natural resources," RED Milla said.

Moreover, DENR Region 10 Team Marine Terra placed 2nd Runner-up and was chosen as Canon's Choice Award, while Region 13 Team Kalagan placed 1st Runner-up.

The DENR Bicol encourages the public to join in activities that will showcase talents and skills while promote the protection and conservation of the planet.###