EnviroNews 2nd Quarter 2020

april - june 2020

Mt. Hamiguitan Range and Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its range of threatened and endemic
flora and fauna species. It is the only protected area in Mindanao designated as a UNESCO World

Heritage Site. (Photo courtesy of Erwan Heusaff)

MT. HAMIGUITAN: DAVAO ORIENTAL’S THIS ISSUE
CROWNING GLORY AND JEWEL 1 Mt. Hamiguitan: Davao Oriental’s

Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary or Crowning Glory and Jewel
MHRWS is one of the protected areas in the
Philippines known for its range of threatened 2 The Power of Camaraderie
and endemic flora and fauna species. Specifically 3 Tarsier sighted yet again in Davao
located in Davao Oriental, this protected area 3 Kites up, flying wildlife down
became a catalyst for environmental conservation 6 Keeping a wildlife? Know these first
and protection as it houses the critically- 7 “White Bats”, What could it be?
endangered Philippine eagle, Philippine cockatoo, 7 DENR XI extends support to frontliners
bonsai forests, and pitcher plants, among others.
during COVID 19 health crisis
At present, MHRWS is a world-renowned
crowning glory and jewel of the province of Davao
Oriental. And adding to its glory is being officially
included in the prestigious list of UNESCO World
Heritage Site last June 2014 and being declared as
an ASEAN Heritage Park in October 2014 due to
its recognized outstanding universal value (OUV)
that is worth sharing to the world.

TURN TO PAGE 4 (MT. HAMIGUITAN...)

APR - JUN 2020 ENVIRONEWS 1

THE POWER OF CAMARADERIE

The Davao Light and Power Company, Incorporated of the Aboitiz Group of Companies donates various
personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI)

last May 18, 2020. DENR’s Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Eastern Mindanao and concurrent
DENR-XI’s Regional Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan receives 2,000 pieces of surgical masks, 2 units

of IR thermometers and 25 pieces of N98 mask from DLPC President and Chief Operating Officer Rodger
S. Velasco. Said PPEs will be distributed to DENR-XI’s frontliners from the Regional and Provincial Offices
to protect them from the risk of contracting COVID-19 while doing their respective functions. Also present
during the turn-over of PPEs are DENR-XI’s Assistant Regional Executive Director for Management Services
Atty. Ma. Mercedes V. Dumagan, Aboitiz Power Corporation External Relations Manager Jason Magnaye, Apo

Agua Infrastructura General Manager Ones Almario, OSSHED Manager Edelito Fernandez, and DLPC’s
Community Relations Manager Fermin Edillion. The Aboitiz Group of Companies is one of DENR-XI’s
partners when it comes to environmental protection and management and the conservation of marine

turtles or “pawikans”.

EDITORIAL Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO)

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jayvee Jude V. Agas

LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR Christine Isip

WRITERS/ PHOTOGRAPHERS Ronald N. Amacio CONTACT US
Telephone: (082) 234 0905
Analou T. Monajan Email: [email protected]
Website: www.r11.denr.gov.ph
April B. Lepardo
@denr11official
Concepcion L. Apostol
ENVIRONEWS is the official newsletter of the
Mutia Bianca Camille A. Gambong Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Region XI (DENR-XI).
For. Ruth M. TawantawanCONSULTANTS
OIC, Assistant Secretary for Field Operations All rights reserved. Copyright 2020 by DENR-XI.
Eastern Mindanao and Regional Executive Director No part of this newsletter shall be reproduced in any
manner without the permission from DENR-XI. This
For. Marcia G. Isip
Assistant Regional Executive Director newsletter is distributed free to DENR employees,
for Technical Services clients, and other stakeholder.

Atty. Ma. Mercedes V. Dumagan
Assistant Regional Executive Director
for Management Services

2 ENVIRONEWS APR - JUN 2020

TARSIER SIGHTED YET AGAIN IN DAVAO

Another Philippine Tarsier was sighted in a farm
near a school in Megkawayan, Calinan, Davao City.
According to a school teacher Jaypee Joromat, it
is not the first time that they have spotted these
primates in their yard.

As tiny as the size of an adult palm, Philippine Photo courtesy of Mr. Jaypee Joromat
Tarsier is one of the smallest primates in the world
with large goggling eyes as its arresting and Again, may we remind the public that if a
prominent feature. They are endemic to a few Tarsier is in sight, do not touch it unless necessary.
areas in Visayas, exacting in Bohol. But over If found displaced, you may release it back to the
the years, frequent sightings of these tiny wild while handling it delicately. As Tarsiers are
primates suggest that they also found a home nocturnal, avoid taking photographs with flash as
in Mindanao, one of which is Davao region. this will frighten them. If otherwise injured, call the
assistance of the authorities.
Experts are yet to conclude on the characteristics
and distinctions of the Mindanao Tarsiers from Philippine Tarsier is ours as pride, also ours to
those of other areas. For research and conservation conserve.
purposes, we earnestly call the public to not
possess, trade, harm or even touch these primates.

To date, Philippine Tarsier is listed as nearly
threatened species and, if not conserved, may
lead to extinction. Threats to their descending
population include low birth rate, loss of habitat
and as aforementioned, human intervention.

KITES UP, FLYING WILDLIFE DOWN DENR XI with broken wings and was assessed to
have acquired serious wounds causing the fall to
In June 6, 2020, a grass owl was found dead its death.
within a residential area in Davao City which
appeared to have been entangled in a kite’s Although kite flying is an unwinding and fun
string. activity, this poses threat to our wildlife. Thus,
we are urging the public to be responsible and
It was reported and was then turned over to sensitive to our animal species. This also serves
as a reminder that any act that injures or kills our
wildlife is a violation to RA 9147 or Wildlife
Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Being an unlawful action, the person involved to
the injury, exploitation and death of a wildlife
will be held accountable.

Please continue reaching out to DENR XI for
any environmental concerns through our hotline
numbers- 0906-378-8784 (Globe) or 0947-611-
6083 (Smart).

Another wildlife was down due to human
activities. Let’s all please be better stewards of
environment.

APR - JUN 2020 ENVIRONEWS 3

MT. HAMIGUITAN: DAVAO ORIENTAL’S CROWNING GLORY AND JEWEL

Although MHRWS is the country’s 6th UNESCO World
Heritage Site, it is the first of the only two protected
areas that received UNESCO and ASEAN recognitions
along with Tubattaha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan.
In Mindanao, however, it is the only protected area
designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Last June 22, 2020, MHRWS along with other intact pygmy forest, dwarf as it is compared to
legislatedprotected areas in the Philippines under gigantic dipterocarp forest, serves as a first line of
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), defence in containing another pandemic from
wasfeatured on the live streaming Protected Area Talk escaping in the wild,” she said.
Conference hosted by Congresswoman Loren Legarda.
This event was organized by the Biodiversity Some of the trees found in the pygmy fields are
Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of actually smaller versions of normally towering trees
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). such as Agathis philippinensis (Almaciga Tree),
Leptospermum sp. (Tinikaran), Lithocarpus sp. (Oak),
The largest Pygmy Forest in the country Dacrydium elatum (Cedar), and Calophyllum blancoi
(Bitanghol), among others.
The pygmy forest of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife
Sanctuary (MHRWS), where bonsai trees are estimated Pitcher Plants’ trappy tale
to be at least a century-old, is the largest natural pygmy
forest in the Philippines. These bonsai formations cover It is no secret that Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife
1,234.56-hectare forest which is largely credited to the Sanctuary is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
area’s unique ultramafic soil, setting it aside from the For within this vast pygmy forest are the countless rare
sanctuary’s other mountains of higher elevation and striking site-endemic species. Some has been
composed mostly of tall dipterocarp trees or grassland. described while it seems a lot more are yet to be
discovered.
The ultramafic soil of the pygmy forest is supposed
to put plants in a harsh condition as it lacks essential
nutrients for growth, causing the trees to be
stunted. But subsequently, the vegetation found atop
Mt. Hamiguitan adapted to its condition which
epitomizes nature’s bid to survive in adverse
circumstances. Eventually, this condition paved the way
to the popularity and appeal of the MHRW’s pygmy or
bonsai forest.

One factor why this mountain houses endemic
plant species is its ultramafic soil which contains high
level of metallic elements and less organic matter.
Unfortunately, ultramafic soil deprives plants the
“essential” nutrients it needs. The silver lining-some
plant species are clever and resilient enough to find its
way to survive through evolutionary processes such as
adaptation and speciation.

DENR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Eastern Pitcher plants are one of those survivor plants. They
Mindanao and DENR-XI Regional Executive Director adapted to the harsh environment by developing a
Ruth M. Tawantawan said that Mt. Hamiguitan’s pygmy modified structure in its leaf designed to lure and catch
forest represents a complete set of intact mountain insects and other animals to supplement its nutrition.
ecosystems. Once their prey is confined, it will be slowly dissolved by
the enzyme-filled liquid inside the pitcher traps. That
“We are very proud of our unique pygmy forest as it makes them one nimble, carnivorous plant.
houses a thousand plus species, 23 of which are known
only to Mt. Hamiguitan Range of Davao Oriental. This All of these evolutionary processes have resulted to
the sprouting of the five unique pitcher plant species,
4 ENVIRONEWS APR - JUN 2020 all of which are endemic to this site. The first species,
Nepenthes peltata, was described in 2008. After a
few years of continuous exploration, four others
were also described namely N. micramphora (2009),
N.hamiguitanensis (2010), N. justinae (2016) and the

most recent, N. alfredoi (2017). plant that he found not so long ago was named after
him. The researchers, Dr. Victor Amoroso and his team
from Central Mindanao University named it Alfredo’s
Pitcher Plant or Nepenthes alfredoi.

The DENR, through the Mt. Hamiguitan management
recognizes the outstanding contribution of Tatay Pedoy
and the rest of the Bantay Gubat, the guides and
porters for the conservation and protection of MHRWS.

Bantay Gubat: The eyes and ears of MHRWS Aside from the conventional strategies in monitoring
the presence of various and fast-moving animal
For a mountain as remarkable as MHRWS, notable for species within Mt. Hamiguitan, technological
hosting numerous unique species, it sure needs a full- innovations such as camera traps are installed within
whack of conservationists. Mt. Hamiguitan Protected the 7-thousand-hectare mountain area. Mt. Hamiguitan
Area Superintendent (PASu) Martiniano Rotol said that is among the very few areas in the country that utilizes
aside from the collaborative conservation efforts of the these camera traps to record the presence of animals
DENR and the local government units of Davao in the wild and to assess the trend of their population
Oriental, there is also a strong engagement of the likewise revealing how they freely behave and interact
local community in safekeeping the mountain in their natural habitat.
especially from the poachers who are after the
collection of species.

“One of the significant undertakings that we have
done is to maintain a strong partnership with the
local community. Through our collaboration with the
Bantay-Gubat, the protection and conservation of Mt.
Hamiguitan became effective and successful,” he said.

The so-called “Bantay Gubat” is composed of local Currently, there are five camera traps installed – one
environmental warriors who have developed deep for every 500-meter interval within a 2-kilometer trail.
knowledge on the terrain of the mountain and the Records are retrieved quarterly for population trend
species in it due to their extensive exposure with analysis and will then be incorporated to its Biodiversity
various scientists and researchers. Monitoring System (BMS). Through this, conservationists
are able to yield more accurate reporting especially on
monitoring the priority species. Inputs also serve as a
basis for policy and decision-making in the protected
area.

Through this motion sensor digital camera, a number
of animal species are spotted, some are endangered
such as the Philippine Warty Pig and the Philippine
Deer. Records of Asian Palm Civet, Monitor Lizard,
Philippine Long-tailed Macaques, Philippine Tarsier and
Philippine Tree Squirrel have been verified as well.

Alfredo “Tatay Pedoy” Bolante, Sr is one of them who Camera traps are able to capture individuals who
have been watching over the mountain for almost two cross the sight as well, making it easier to spot and
decades now. Currently 58 years old, still active and catch the poachers. Apparently, this serves a warning.
keen in his job. Though one-eyed, Tatay Pedoy is able to The use of technology has undeniably advanced the
discern even the unrevealed and undescribed species in conservation of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife
the mountainous realm. In fact, a site endemic pitcher Sanctuary, also giving the general public the advantage
of discerning the status of our wildlife species.

APR - JUN 2020 ENVIRONEWS 5

KEEPING A WILDLIFE? KNOW THESE FIRST

instinct, regardless if you’re its keeper.

But the decision to possess wildlife animals
such as a snake does not end there. It must be
legal.

A 10-feet long Burmese Python (P. molurus In the Philippines, wildlife species are
bivitatus) was turned over to DENR-CENRO protected under RA 9147 or Wildlife Resources
Davao City by a resident who allegedly possessed and Conservation Act. One of the objectives of
it since January 2018. The python was just 2-feet this act is to regulate the collection of wildlife
long then when its keeper, Mr. Benjie Putot, species in the country which means that a
supposed to have found it in a bus and Certificate of Wildlife Registration (CWR) permit
brought it home out of pity. from DENR is needed for legitimate possession,
otherwise it is illegal and punishable by law.
After keeping the snake for over two years, Mr.
Putot decided to give it up as he can’t keep up DENR-XI wishes to remind the public to refrain
with the needs of the now 30-kilogram (and is from keeping wildlife species just because it was
continuously-growing) snake. With the assistance in sight. Unless it needs rescuing due to harm and
from Ms. Gemma Fernandez and Mr. Jamel injury, please DO NOT POSSESS THEM. LET THEM
Limpao of DENR-CENRO Davao City, the snake PASS UNDISTURBED OR RETURN THEM IN THE
was immediately brought to Davao Crocodile WILD.
Park, a rescue center and one of DENR-XI’s
conservation partners. This also serves as a reminder that all wildlife
species are covered with permits and failure to
secure such entails punishments.

So, before deciding to possess wildlife animals
such as snakes, it’s best to know them first.

Snakes are among the wildlife species that A Barred Coral Snake (Hemibungarus
are native to the jungle. The Burmese Python calligaster) slithering on a fine day in Mt.
for example which naturally dwell in the wild Hamigutian Range Wildlife Sanctuary. These
including rainforests, rocky foothills, woodlands, snakes are common in Mt. Hamiguitan and
river valleys and other damp terrains. When they are usually dwelling in the grounds to prey
make a move out of their habitat, it is usually just on worms and smaller snakes. Coral snakes
to find food. These snakes are carnivores and are are slender and are stunning due to their
generally predators of various warm-blooded bright colors. But easy on them as though
animals. attractive, they are generally venomous.

Snakes such as the Burmese Python can grow These species are among the wildlife
up to 20 feet or longer and can weigh up to 100 residents of Mt. Hamiguitan in
pounds – making them one of the largest snake Davao Oriental.
species in the world, enough to knock one down
by constriction, coiling and squeezing until the
prey or its victim gets weakened, suffocated or
even killed. If they are kept in a pen or cage
and happens to make its way out, its attack is
possible. Being a wild animal, it comes as an

6 ENVIRONEWS APR - JUN 2020

“WHITE BATS”, WHAT COULD IT BE?

The fascinating island of Samal in Davao del
Norte was even more tagged as wondrous when
an unusual kind of bat was seen hanging on a
fruit tree. Unlike the other common bats, its hair
and wings were white while its eyes, nose, mouth,
and bones were pink. It was rare indeed. In fact,
its rarity made a fleeting widespread in social
media.

The said white bat is a Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Albino bat
Bat or Cynopterus brachyotis. Like all the other (Photo courtesy of Didi Gigi Senajonon DS)
bats, these species are usually brown and black.
But due to a genetic anomaly called albinism, its Though not endemic in the Philippines, it is
melanin production is altered causing their white among the other oriental countries such as Sri
appearance. This is due to a series of genetic Lanka, Thailand, Southern China, Sulawesi and
mutations and is most likely passed from its Borneo where these fruit bats are habituated.
parents.
Samal Island is among the areas in Davao
Despite the rare color aberration, the albino Region that has diverse and extensively wealthy
fruit bats are among the thousands of bat natural resources making it the “home” of choice
species around the world that hold a significant to various wildlife species, including bats.
ecological role. In fact, they are one of the key
players in the restoration of our forests that have Bats are among the wildlife species that are
gone through destruction. Through their affinity protected under the RA 9147 or Wildlife Resourc-
for several plants and the ability to disperse seeds es Conservation and Protection Act. It means that
in the vast land of our forests, trees can grow if they are intently harmed or killed, it is punish-
again. No wonder they are tagged as the able by law.
“farmers of the forest”.
Our wildlife species are of great importance to
As much as these bats rely on plants’ fruits and our biodiversity, more so to our survival. If we do
flowers to survive, around 500 plant species also not make an unnecessary intervention on them,
depend on them to pollinate their flowers. These they sure won’t cause havoc on us either.
include bananas, mangoes, peaches, guava,
agave, and many other fruit trees.

In Davao, there is no durian as a banner if not for
these fruit-eating bats.

DENR XI EXTENDS SUPPORT TO FRONTLINERS DURING COVID 19 HEALTH CRISIS

COVID-19 stormed countries across the globe like a its Regional Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan
whirlwind, putting everyone’s health in danger while and the Employees’ Union, responded positively by
slowly tanking the economy. And the battle is on most housing a number of SPMC health workers in the office
especially for the medical frontliners. dormitory for free.

In the aim of expediting the “Bayanihan” spirit, the Some DENR personnel also raised funds from
Department of Environment and Natural Resources their own pockets to help provide free meals to the
(DENR-XI), along with its attached Bureaus, extend its medical health workers who are in the dorm and in
support to Davao Region’s health workers in line with the hospital as well. The DENR XI Executive Committee
its “Serbisyo sa Kalikasan, Serbisyo sa Sambayanan” officials have also collected monetary donations to help
efforts. sustain the needs of Davao’s frontliners.

When the Southern Philippines Medical Center On the other hand, all DENR-XI’s provincial
(SPMC) requested for assistance for the offices also extended help in the bid to fight COVID-19.
accommodation of some of its staff, DENR-XI, through Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer

APR - JUN 2020 ENVIRONEWS 7

(PENRO) Davao Oriental, through the leadership of Forest product donations, relief goods and
PENR Officer Alberto N. Bandiola, facilitated the food packs distribution as well as transportation
donation of confiscated forest products to the City assistance are among the humble efforts of the
LGU of Mati. These were used for the renovation of composite team of PENRO Davao del Sur, led by its
Milagrosa Retreat Center, a fully-equipped Alternate PENR Officer Pablito M. Ofrecia.
Care Site that provide medical care to Covid-19
patients, should its number increase. A number of confiscated forest products were
donated by CENRO Davao City for the construction of
PENRO DavOr also provided transportation the region’s health facilities. The team also reached out
assistance to the personnel of Department of Social to several BLGU-PNP outposts of Davao del Sur through
Welfare and Development (DSWD) who conducted distributing relief goods and food packs which were
relief operations to the remote areas with beneficiaries prepared using eco-friendly materials.
of the government’s Social Amelioration
Program (SAP). Moreso, CENRO Davao City offered free ride for the
frontliners who were staying in DENR’s local dormitory,
Community Environment and Natural Resources Lokinai, to and from their duty at Southern Philippines
Offices (CENROs) in Davao Oriental has also initiated Medical Center (SPMC).
the distribution of food packs to the frontliners who
are manning the checkpoints and to the Southern Moreover, PENRO Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte
Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) health workers have also done their humanitarian responses to help
housed at DENR-XI dormitory in Davao City. fight Covid-19 in their respective areas.

Some CENRO personnel have also donated blood PENRO Davao de Oro donated a number of assorted
through the Philippine Red Cross to help maintain forest products to its Provincial Local Government Unit
an adequate supply of blood and blood components (PLGU) while some of its personnel conducted food
during this health crisis. packs distribution to checkpoints of several barangays
of theMunicipality of Nabunturan. Some personnel of
Community Environment and Natural Resources
(CENRO) Monkayo have also volunteered in the
repacking of relief goods in the said Municipality.

PENRO Davao del Norte was also on the move as
both officials and staff head on to their PLGU to
volunteer in the repacking of relief goods. Respectively,
PENRO Davao de Oro is under the supervision of PENR
Officer Chamberlain J. Babiera while PENRO Davao del
Norte is of PENR Officer Victor T. Billones.

Lastly, PENRO Davao Occidental reached out amid
Covid-19 pandemic through handing over hundreds of
kilos of rice to the PUMs and various frontliners while
boxes filled with goods were also extended to the
checkpoint personnel in the province.Said distribution
efforts was led by PENR Officer Ma. Theresa J. Allen.

8 ENVIRONEWS APR - JUN 2020