Press Releases

133 SEA TURTLE HATCHLINGS RELEASED IN TBPPS

The DENR V Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Guinobatan headed by OIC, CENR Officer Narisol C. Divina together with some local sea turtle conservation advocates successfully released a total of 133 Olive Ridley hatchlings to their natural habitat on December 28, 2021 and January 1 to 2, 2022 at Barangay Nagas, Oas, Albay, a part of the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS).
 
Forest Technician II Faye Jesusa T. Onrubia, head of the CENRO Guinobatan Wildlife Resources Permitting Unit, said that two (2) adult marine turtles were spotted by the locals about to lay eggs in the nesting site at Barangay Nagas on October 27 and 30, 2021. Since then, regular monitoring activities were conducted in the area to prevent the nests from getting damaged or threatened by predators, possible flooding of nests and egg hunting by humans.
 
The sea turtle hatchlings emerged from the nests on the evenings of December 27, 2021 (30 hatchlings), December 31, 2021 (57 hatchlings) and January 1, 2022 (46 hatchlings), respectively. The hatchlings were all found to be Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Per DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2019-09 titled, "Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories", the marine turtles are considered endangered.
 
The sea turtle hatchlings were spared from typhoons during the last quarter of 2021, allowing the eggs to fully undergo incubation period and hatch.
 
The local officials also believe that the continuous conduct of Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) activities in their area will help boost the potentials of the residents in becoming partners in environmental protection, conservation and management.
 
The catching and hunting of marine turtles, and all wildlife species are prohibited under Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act".###
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DENR BICOL TOUTS 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS, SETS 2022 GOALS

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) V together with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) V and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) V through its key officials highlighted the major accomplishments on its thrusts and priority programs during its first hybrid Monday program for the year 2022 on January 3, 2022 at the DENR V Covered Court, Regional Center Site, Rawis, Legazpi City.
 
“We have been challenged by the pandemic but I am proud to say that we have accomplished all our targets, programs, and activities including the later release funds from the Central Office which was a challenge last December 2021. With this, I am thankful to each and every employee. Thank you for your passion, perseverance and grit for the betterment of our mandates and programs,” Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr., CESO III said.
 
RED Milla also urged the employees to renew their commitment to serve the public and would like to strengthen the collaboration with the line bureaus and other partner stakeholders to maintain its good standing. "I believe that we can do it through our patience, perseverance, and unity," he added.
 
RED Milla also called on the Management Services (MS) under the leadership of the OIC, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for MS Grace L. Cariño to strive a higher level in the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management or the PRIME-HRM and the Quality Management System (QMS) Certification while for the Technical Services under the leadership of the ARD for Technical Services (TS) Atty. Ronnel C. Sopsop to accomplish all targets especially those under the Expanded National Greening Program (E-NGP) and patents this year.
 
Moreover, RED Milla also touted on the physical improvements such as the repainted buildings and improved covered court. “Let us be a model in the offices here. We have to model cleanliness, segregation of solid wastes and also separate bins for COVID wastes. Let us make this part of our advocacy,” he said.
 
In addition, RED Milla shared the COVID-19 vaccination status of the Region. He said that it has already achieved the vaccination rate of at least 95% for EMB V, 97% for MGB V, and 85% for DENR V. He also urged everyone to practice the health protocols and avail of the free booster shots for everyone’s protection from the virus.
 
“May this New Year be our inspiration as we continue to raise the bar of environmental protection through our hard work and perseverance,” he said.###
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PENRO CATANDUANES HAS A NEW TSD CHIEF

A turnover of leadership ceremony for the Technical Services Division (TSD) of PENRO Catanduanes was recently held at San Isidro Village, Virac, Catanduanes. Outgoing OIC TSD Chief Forester Yolanda G. Sa-ong turnedover her duties and responsibilities to incoming OIC TSD Chief Forester Aldrin B. Barruga, II. The activity was witnessed by the PENRO Catanduanes personnel.

“However, things have to come and go and that we must accept that everything changes. There is a time for everything and you must wait for your right time”, For. Sa-ong said in her message.

Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech, Forester Barruga said that he is hopeful that all personnel of the PENRO will give him full support all throughout his stay in the province.

The change of leadership for the Technical Services Division of PENRO Catanduanes is in accordance with the DENR Regional Special Order No. 2021-096 signed by Regional Executive Director Atty. Antonio A. Abawag dated March 17, 2021.

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PENRO CATANDUANES SPEARHEADS TREE PLANTING, COASTAL CLEAN- UP TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY 2021

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Catanduanes headed by PENR Officer Imelda D. Baltazar celebrated the 2021 Earth Day through a tree planting and coastal clean-up at Barangay Magnesia del Sur, Virac, Catanduanes.

A Communication Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) campaign was conducted prior to the tree planting and clean-up activities. Moreover, some Information Education Communication (IEC) materials on coastal and marine habitat protection and conservation as well as proper disposal of facemask from EMB were also disseminated to the participants. Both activities aim to raise public awareness on the Earth Day celebration. The Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) program of the DENR was also introduced.  

The participants from the Municipal Police Station of Virac, Aviation Security Group Virac, Philippine Army, some personnel of PENRO Catanduanes, and barangay officials and residents planted Talisay seedlings. They also gathered two (2) sacks of non-biodegradable wastes.   

April is recognized as “The Month of Planet Earth” by virtue of Proclamation No. 1482 signed on April 10, 2008 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This year's theme calls us to "Do Our Fair Share to Restore the Earth." In this time of global pandemic, we are reminded to take action in ensuring to have a more sustainable planet and continue to work for a greener future.

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HAWKSBILL TURTLE RESCUED AND RELEASED IN CATANDUANES

A Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) was rescued and turnedover by Mrs. Salvacion dela Cruz, a resident of Barangay Suchan, Bagamanoc, Catanduanes to the Conservation and Development Section of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) Catanduanes headed by PENR Officer Imelda D. Baltazar.

Based on the investigation conducted by the Technical Team, the Hawksbill Turtle was captured entangled in the fishing net of her son Ryan dela Cruz. Upon assessment, the turtle has 32 centimeters in length and 27 centimeters in width. The Turtle, however, was not tagged because it did not reach the prescribed measurement for tagging. On the other hand, being in good condition, it was consequently released on the same day.

Hawksbill Turtles are categorized as critically endangered species under DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2019-09. Likewise, all wildlife in the Philippines are strictly protected under Republic Act 9147 otherwise known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act".

DENR Bicol OIC, Regional Executive Director Atty. Antonio A. Abawag is continuously appealing to the public to report any encounter with wildlife species that may be at risk of illegal captivity or stranding.

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