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Republic of the Philippiness DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES Kagawaran ng Kapaligiran at Likas na Yaman PENRO - Marinduque |
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Republic of the Philippiness DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES Kagawaran ng Kapaligiran at Likas na Yaman PENRO - Marinduque |
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Coastal Clean-up and Mangrove Planting Activity in Celebration of Month of the Planet Earth of PENRO-Marinduque
Earth month is widely recognized as the largest secular observance celebrated in more than 190 countries around the world with a definitely powerful message. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for change around the issues most impacting our planet. This year’s theme “Invest in Our Planet” is designed to create a ‘partnership for the planet’ that accounts for all people, and holds businesses and governments accountable. “Everyone accounted for, everyone accountable”.
On April 28, 2023, the Provincial Government of Marinduque under the Administration of Honorable Governor Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Provincial Environment and Natural Resources – Marinduque and in cooperation with the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) initiated the Coastal Clean-Up and Mangrove Planting in Barangays Maligaya, Buliasnin, and Balogo, in the Municipality of Boac, Province of Marinduque.
A short program was conducted where OIC-PENR Officer Imelda M. Diaz emphasized the importance of everyone’s participation in protecting our planet and helping our Mother Earth to thrive. Furthermore, she highlighted that environmental efforts such as coastal clean-up and tree planting activities are part of the continuous effort to protect and achieve a successful outcome not just for ourselves but for the future generations. Lastly, she encouraged every participant to start taking action and advocate best practices and support "No to Single Use Plastic" campaign to help save our planet.
The Coastal Clean-Up and Mangrove Planting were successfully undertaken with approximately one thousand (1,000) participants and with six hundred fifty (650) propagules planted within the area of the aforementioned three (3) Barangays.
Simultaneously, the employees from the DENR-PENRO Marinduque conducted its monthly 5S activity in the Office. 5S is designed to decrease waste while optimizing productivity through maintaining an orderly workplace and using visual cues to attain more consistent operational results. 5S refers to five (5) steps – Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain (also known as the 5 pillars of a visual workplace) in order to create and maintain intuitive workplace. To maintain and review standards, the said activity is being conducted at PENRO-Marinduque every last Friday of the month beginning January 2023.
PENRO Marinduque Advocates for Women Empowerment in Environmental Conservation and Protection
On March 31, 2023, OIC-PENR Officer Imelda M. Diaz hosted the regular TV Program entitled “Talakayang Pangkalikasan ng DENR Marinduque” via live telecast at 3:00 PM in Marinduque News Network (MNN), a Local Radio-TV Network in Marinduque Lucky Seven Channel 3. This month's episode focused on the celebration of 2023 National Women’s Month. This 2023, the PCW launches a new recurring theme for the celebration: “WE for gender equality and inclusive society”.
PENRO Diaz noted the various activities organized by DENR-PENRO Marinduque, in support of the Philippine Commission on Women’s (PCW’s) campaign to signify support for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and to cap off this month-long celebration, this Office invited Hon. Adeline M. Angeles, Vice Governor of Marinduque and 2022 Gender and Development (GAD) Champion, as the Special Guest and Resource Person. Vice Governor Angeles emphasized her advocacy in the ongoing endeavor of the Provincial Government of Marinduque to institutionalize numerous programs and projects in support of women’s right and protection. She emphasized the “Saklolo at Gabay sa Ina at Pamilya (SAGIP) Ordinance,” which provides for the Provincial Government's institutionalized intervention in the recovery of abused women and children.
In terms of environmental preservation, she emphasized that as a legislator, she had submitted various Resolutions, such as the Marinduque Environmental Code, which she hoped would be enacted within this quarter or throughout her term. This is an initiative that will safeguard the environment while promoting a variety of activities and projects that may be environmentally hazardous. Furthermore, she emphasized her contributions to several women's organizations, such as the Boac Women's Club. She went on to list the practical contributions of Marinduque's oldest NGO, the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC), to the protection and conservation of the environment in the province of Marinduque.
PENRO Diaz, on the other hand, cited many celebrations and highlighted activities carried out by DENR-PENRO Marinduque during the month of March, including the Inauguration of the Pawikan Hatchery Center at Brgy. Masiga, Gasan, Marinduque, in conjunction with the celebration of World Wildlife Day on March 3, 2023, with this year's theme "Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation," which provides an opportunity to focus on people at all levels who are working to make a difference in the conservation of species of wild fauna and flora. In addition to World Wildlife Day, she cited that on March 2, 2023, PENRO Marinduque released sixty (60) turtle hatchlings at Brgy. Lupac, Boac, Marinduque. Furthermore, PENRO Diaz also highlighted the simultaneous tree planting activity in the riverbanks of Brgy. Magapua, Mogpog, Brgy. Pinggan, Gasan, Brgy. Kay Duke, Torrijos and Brgy. Buyabod, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque in celebration of World Water Day on March 21, 2023. This activity was participated by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Municipal Police Station (MPS), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), BLGU Magapua, BLGU Pinggan, BLGU Kay Duke and BLGU Buyabod. She stressed the importance of collective efforts of different sectors in protecting and conserving the environment and natural resources. ###
PENRO Marinduque is DENR MIMAROPA's first online bamboo quiz bee champion
Just like the bamboo which resists breaking when placed under stress, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Marinduque maintained its grace under pressure and emerged as the champion of DENR MIMAROPA’s first online bamboo quiz bee held via Zoom on September 29.
Organized by the Region's National Greening Program, the virtual contest was anchored on the theme of this year's World Bamboo Day Celebration, "Pamanang Kawayan: Luntiang Ginto ng Kagubatan."
Team Rhizome from PENRO Marinduque bested 14 other groups which represented the field offices in MIMAROPA, namely Team Bamboolicious (PENRO Occidental Mindoro), Team Bam n’ Boo (CENRO Sablayan), Team Bambusa (CENRO San Jose), Team Bamboohay (PENRO Oriental Mindoro), Team Bamboostic (CENRO Socorro), Team Camp Kawayan Babies (CENRO Roxas), Team Bamboomtaratarat (PENRO Romblon), Team Bamboorikit (PENRO Palawan), Team Sitio Bayog (CENRO Brooke’s Point), Team Corona Bamboos (CENRO Coron), Team Princesang Kawayan (CENRO Puerto Princesa), Team Vulgaries Beauties (CENRO Quezon), Team Lucky Bamboo (CENRO Taytay), and Team Camp Patong Matinik (CENRO Roxas).
Competing with the best of the best was not easy and Team Rhizome admitted they had barely enough time to review because they also needed to meet deadlines on accomplishing office targets. Nonetheless, the quiz bee champ said they counted on teamwork and a relaxed mindset to win the contest.
“We’re not able to hold a group review. I just handed out old reference materials to my teammates perhaps a day or two before the contest,” Forester Ellen Paranaque, leader of Team Rhizome shared.
“But we made it probably because we also got a good combination of team members; we have Foresters and a technician and we’re all familiar with the NGP process. We trusted each other and tried to stay calm so we can think of the correct answer,” she added.
Team Vulgaris Beauties (CENRO Quezon) bagged the second place, and Team Corona Bamboos (CENRO Coron) went home as a third placer after breaking a tie with Team Princesang Kawayan (CENRO Puerto Princesa).
The quiz bee was composed of three rounds, namely easy, average and difficult. Questions included bamboo terminology, growth habit, genera and species, propagation methods, and other interesting facts and trivia. The quiz also covered general information on the National Greening Program (NGP), such as its implementing guidelines and activities.
“This is our way to enhance the knowledge of our field personnel and at the same time, educate our stakeholders on the ecological and economic benefits of bamboo,” Regional Executive Director Maria Lourdes G. Ferrer noted.
Referred to as the “green gold,” bamboo is gaining recognition as a sustainable alternative to wood and an effective instrument to combat climate change. It is for these reasons that the government is geared towards planting more bamboo trees. In a statement at the budget hearing in the House of Representatives, Secretary Roy Cimatu imparted that the DENR “intends to make amendments in the ENGP to increase the country’s production of bamboo.”
The Secretary said that for 2020, the DENR targets to plant bamboo trees to 16, 867 hectares of land nationwide. In MIMAROPA Region, bamboo trees have already been planted to 60% of the targeted 81 hectares of land as of September 2020.
The DENR MIMAROPA online bamboo quiz bee was the region’s first virtual battle of the brains, and among its efforts to continue performing its mandates while adapting to the new normal.
Getting a reliable internet connection remained as one of the challenges noted in the activity, but the participants took it from the distinct trait of the bamboo, and did not allow wobbly network access to wear them down.
“We admire the participants’ enthusiasm and display of sportsmanship. And we hope they maintain these traits not only in competitions like this, but more importantly in performing their duties,” DENR MIMAROPA NGP Coordinator Manuel Escasura remarked.
The DENR MIMAROPA and its regional NGP wish to extend their gratitude to all those who supported the program, most especially the judges who made time to join the event, namely Assistant Regional Director Bighani Manipula, Ms. Marilyn Limpiada, Chief of Planning and Management Division, Ms. Ruby Bautista, Chief of Finance Division, and Forester Gregorio Santos, Jr., Head of Urban and Biodiversity Research, Development and Extension Center of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB). ###
