EnviroNews 1st Quarter 2020

JANUARY - MARCH 2020

DENR Regions 11 and 13, in collaboration with MinDA, donate confiscated
forest products to the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur.

DENR 11 AND 13 DONATE CONFISCATED THIS ISSUE
LUMBERS TO DAVSUR’S EARTHQUAKE 1 DENR 11 and 13 donates confiscated
VICTIMS
lumber to DavSur’s earthquake victims
by Jayvee Jude V. Agas
2 25th Infantry Change of Command
A total of 31,892.54 board feet of confiscated 3 Avian migrations found haven in Davao
forest products were donated by the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region
Regions 11 and 13 to the province of Davao del Sur
last January 30, 2020. 4 PENRO DavOr enriches awareness on
wetlands
It can be recalled that DENR Secretary Roy A
Cimatu issued a directive to its Mindanao 5 New-site endemic orchid found in Mt.
offices last year to release confiscated lumbers Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
to help Mindanao earthquake victims rebuild
their homes. 5 From insects to raptors - A wildlife
exhibit
During the signing of the Deed of Donations,
DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement and 6 DENR XI conducts 2nd ENR Frontline
Muslim Affairs Jim O. Sampulna said that the Course
donation of forest products to Davao del Sur is
one way of telling the people that DENR’s JAN - MAR 2020 ENVIRONEWS 1
mission is not only to have a cleaner and greener
environment, but it also includes looking at the
welfare of the people.

TURN TO PAGE 3 (DENR 11 AND 13...)

CHANGE OF COMMAND EDITORIAL
Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO)
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources Assistant Secretary for Field EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Operations – Eastern Mindanao and Jayvee Jude V. Agas
Regional Executive Director of Region 11 LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR

Ruth M. Tawantawan (middle) graced the 25th Christine Isip
Infantry Change of Command Ceremony last WRITERS/ PHOTOGRAPHERS
January 16, 2020 held at Camp Kalaw, Brgy.
Poblacion, Monkayo, Davao de Oro. During the Ronald N. Amacio
Analou T. Monajan
program, she expressed her gratitude to
outgoing Battalion Commander LTC Oscar B. April B. Lepardo
Balignasay, Jr. (second from left) for his untiring Concepcion L. Apostol
support to DENR-XI’s environmental programs, Mutia Bianca Camille A. Gambong
projects and activities especially to its efforts
Marjorie Marcos
on Naboc River rehabilitation. With ASec Clint Michael Cleofe
Tawantawan and LTC Balignasay are (L-R):
CONSULTANTS
National Task Force Diwalwal-Program
Monitoring and Coordination Center For. Ruth M. Tawantawan
Coordinator Joel S. Pardillo; incoming
OIC, Assistant Secretary for Field Operations
Battalion Commander LTC Asnawi P. Muti; Eastern Mindanao and Regional Executive Director
and DENR-XI’s Provincial Environment and
For. Marcia G. Isip
Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) of
Davao de Oro Chamberlain J. Babiera. Assistant Regional Executive Director
2 ENVIRONEWS JAN - MAR 2020 for Technical Services

Atty. Ma. Mercedes V. Dumagan

Assistant Regional Executive Director
for Management Services

CONTACT US
Telephone: (082) 234 0905
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.r11.denr.gov.ph

@denr11official

ENVIRONEWS is the official newsletter of the
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Region XI (DENR-XI).

All rights reserved. Copyright 2020 by DENR-XI.

No part of this newsletter shall be reproduced in any
manner without the permission from DENR-XI. This
newsletter is distributed free to DENR employees,

clients, and other stakeholder.

DENR 11 AND 13 DONATE CONFISCATED LUMBERS TO DAVSUR’S EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Moreover, Assistant Secretary for Field Mayors from the different municipalities of Davao
Operations Eastern Mindanao and DENR 11’s del Sur also expressed their appreciation to the
Regional Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan DENR for donating the confiscated lumbers to
assured the people of Davao del Sur that helping their province. They said they are hopeful that
them rebuild their homes is one of the they could immediately start constructing
important things that Secretary Cimatu would temporary homes for the victims.
want to attend to.
Also present during the event is Mindanao
“As Secretary Cimatu is committed to have a Development Authority (MinDA) Chairman
DENR that gives high quality of service to the Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol who said that Secretary
people, we are extending whatever assistance Cimatu immediately responded to LGU’s request
we can give especially to those communities for donations of lumbers which they could use for
who were affected by the devastation caused the construction of temporary shelters.
by the earthquake incident,” Tawantawan said.
“DENR’s move to donate confiscated forest
Davao del Sur Governor Douglas RA. Cagas products to earthquake victims is actually
expressed his gratitude to DENR for the help they showing to the people that this is a responsive
have extended in rebuilding the homes and lives government. We respond to the situation and we
of the earthquake victims. “It’s painful to see the adjust our governance,” he said.
destruction caused by the earthquake that’s why I
am very thankful to the DENR for donating these On the other hand, DENR 13’s Regional
confiscated forest products. I know this will not Executive Director Atty. Felix Alicer said that there
be the last for I know they are really committed to are no political boundaries when it comes to
help,” he said. extending help to the people. “We really want to
help rebuild the lives of these earthquake victims
Cagas revealed that there were 9,000 homes in Region XI especially in the province of Davao
in Davao del Sur that were totally damaged and del Sur. And to extend our help, we have to
30,000 homes that were partially damaged. expand our jurisdiction.”

AVIAN MIGRANTS FOUND HAVEN IN DAVAO REGION

by Analou T. Monajan

Hundreds to thousands of migratory waterbirds
were logged during the conduct of Asian
Waterbird Census (AWC), a program that aims
to monitor and record bird sightings across the
globe. It was conducted by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI)
in the early weeks of January 2020, in Davao
Region’s six (6) monitoring sites – Malalag
mudflats in Davao del Sur, Bucana in Davao City,
Banay-banay in Davao Oriental and in Panabo,
Carmen and Busaon in Davao del Norte.

AWC is an annual event which takes place Philippine Ducks (Anas luzonica), a vulnerable
during the second and third weeks of January. species, flock in Banay-banay, Davao Oriental
(Photo courtesy of DENR XI’s Protected Area
In Malalag, about a thousand of Little Egret Management and Biodiversity Conservation
(Egretta garzetta) were sighted, along with Section)
hundreds of Pied Stilts (Himantopus
leucocephalus) and Whiskered Terns (Chlidonias JAN - MAR 2020 ENVIRONEWS 3
hybrida).

TURN TO PAGE 4 (AVIAN MIGRANT...)

AVIAN MIGRANTS FOUND HAVEN IN DAVAO REGION

A small number of Great Knot (Calidris Philippine Ducks (Anas luzonica), the sole
tenuirostris), an endangered species was also endemic species were also spotted flying
sighted. overhead. Philippine Ducks is one of our very own
families of birds which are unfortunately listed as
Moreso in Carmen Coastal Wetland, a few of vulnerable because of its small population.
nearly threatened species such as Black-tailed
Godwit (Limosa limosa) and Eurasian Curlew As Philippines is one of the avian migrants’
(Numenius arquata) were also seen. With them flyways or routes in East Asia/Australasia, these
are some Whiskered Terns also flocking in the avian migrants fly from their origin all the way to
area. The latter species were also spotted in its the lands of Davao Region to find a better habitat
neighboring Coastal Wetland in Panabo along that will suit their need for breeding, feeding and
with hundreds of Little Egret and Pied Stilts. raising their young. They are flying from vast dis-
tances including China, Japan, Siberia and other
Meanwhile in Banay-banay, White-browed areas around the world that has winter season.
Crake (Porzana cinerea) and Wandering Whistling These migrant birds travel beyond their country’s
Duck (Dendrocygna javanica) were recorded, just borders in search for warmer and safer refuge
a few compared to the thousands of Pied Stilts where they can also find sufficient food resources.
that landed in the area. In the same area, a few

PENRO DAVOR ENRICHES AWARENESS ON WETLANDS

by Marjorie Marcos, PENRO Davao Oriental

The Philippine government, through the Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) activity
Department of Environment and Natural at Mayor Luisito Garcia Rabat (MLGR) Memorial
Resources (DENR), recognizes the boundless School.
importance of wetlands to the Filipino people. It
is crucial to lay down the strategies and programs A total of 79 Grade 3 students actively
aimed at encouraging greater citizenry participated in the said activity, the aim of which
involvement in the protection and sustainable is to promote proper waste segregation and
use of wetlands. disposal. The highlight of the event was when
the grade-schoolers were engaged on mini-
Being the primary government agency games and interactive presentations, enriching
responsible for the protection and conservation not only their imagination and creativity but also
of the environment and natural resources, their awareness towards protecting and
DENR-XI’s Provincial Environment and Natural conserving the wetlands.
Resources Office (PENRO) Davao Oriental
headed by OIC, PENR Officer Alberto N. Bandiola, National Wetlands Day, celebrated every 2nd
advances awareness and protection of wetlands day of February, is enacted through Presidential
through conducting a Communication, Proclamation No. 74 series of 1999.

4 ENVIRONEWS JAN - MAR 2020

NEW-SITE ENDEMIC ORCHID FOUND IN MT. HAMIGUITAN RANGE
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

by Clint Michael Cleofe, PENRO Davao Oriental

Dilochia deleoniae Tandang & Galindon
is a newly described Orchid species in
Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary,
Province of Davao Oriental courtesy of a group
of researchers led by Mr. Danilo N. Tandang which
was published on February 04, 2020 in PhytoKeys
(https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/46935/).

According to the authors, the novel species is
distinct from other known Dilochia in the
Philippines due to its entirely terrestrial habitat.
It is distinguished by its monopodial inflorescence
(single-branched), rarely branching in two and
has a pale yellow to dull orange or brownish-yel-
low labellum devoid of purple spots.

The plant was discovered in 2016 by Mr.
Tandang during a botanical survey for the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) – funded project,
“Removing Barriers to Invasive Species
Management in Production and Protection
Forest in Southeast Asia (FORIS)” wherein Mt.
Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary was one
of the project sites.

The name of the plant was dedicated to Ms. thriving in the protected area. It can be recalled
Josefina De Leon, the former Chief of the Wildlife that MHRWS was declared as a UNESCO World
Resources Division under the Biodiversity Heritage Site and ASEAN Heritage Park in 2014
Management Bureau of the Department of due to its high endemicity, biodiversity and
Environment and Natural Resources, who has ecological integrity.
pursuit wildlife conservation for more than 35
years.

With the new discovery, MHRWS already has a
total of ten (10) site-endemic plants exclusively

FROM INSECTS TO RAPTORS – A WILDLIFE EXHIBIT

by Analou T. Monajan

In support to the World Wildlife Day 2020 the Department of Environment and Natural
celebration, an interactive wildlife exhibition was Resources (DENR XI), University of Mindanao, SM
conducted at SM Lanang Premiere, Davao City Lanang Premiere and Whitley Fund for Nature.
which showcases wildlife of various types and
sizes. Photos, videos and taxidermy of specimens
of different species, from insects to raptors are
The exhibit carries the theme “Wildlife is Here displayed in the exhibition. It is also designed to
2020: Biodiversity Super Year” which was put the insects into the spotlight along with other
mounted by the Philippine Eagle Foundation popular wildlife species.
(PEF) together with its 3-year exhibit partners-
TURN TO PAGE 6 (FROM INSECTS TO...)

JAN - MAR 2020 ENVIRONEWS 5

FROM INSECTS TO RAPTORS – A WILDLIFE EXHIBIT

Among the displayed in the exhibit are the chain. That is why, insects matter.
taxidermy of specimens of different species
including that of beetles and butterflies. On the other hand, the exhibition also
showcases Davao region’s good habitat condition.
Dr. Jason Ibañez, PEF’s Director for Research It is a cornerstone to continuously and sustainably
and Conservation emphasizes that the insects house our wildlife species especially the critically
are among the least appreciated wildlife due to endangered ones.
its size and its importance to the biodiversity is
not broadly recognized. Unfortunately, recent “We still have the Malagos watershed which
research shows that the population of insects is is home to hundreds of golden-crowned flying
dramatically declining and may cause the foxes, the Philippine Eagle which has a number
ecosystem to collapse as it will affect the food of nesting sites in the region, we also have the
hawksbill turtle. This is because their habitat is
protected,” stated Marigelaine Arguillas, DENR
XI’s Chief of Protected Area Management and
Biodiversity Conservation Section.

Through this experiential type of exhibition
which lasted until the 8th of March, it is expected
that the public’s awareness on the importance of
every wildlife species will be heightened.

Moreover, PEF also conducted an informative
film viewing to the employees of DENR XI in aims
of ingesting more knowledge about the
Philippine Eagle.

DENR XI CONDUCTS 2ND ENR FRONTLINE COURSE

by Jayvee Jude V. Agas & Christine Isip

To continue to equip the employees of the
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources-XI with a deeper understanding of
the Department’s mandate, programs and
the different environmental laws being
implemented, DENR-XI conducted its 2nd
Frontline training course held at the Royal
Mandaya Hotel, Davao City last February 27 to
March 2, 2020.

This training course is in line with DENR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations-
Secretary Roy A. Cimatu’s goal to strengthen Eastern Mindanao and DENR-XI Regional
DENR’s Provincial and Community Environment Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan
and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs and delivers her message during the 2nd ENR
CENROs) as they are the Department’s Frontline Course.
frontliners in terms of implementing its programs
and execution of different environmental laws.
This is being participated by 40 employees from
DENR-XI’s PENROs and CENROs.

In her message, Assistant Secretary for Field
Operations-Eastern Mindanao and DENR-XI

6 ENVIRONEWS JAN - MAR 2020

Assistant Regional Executive Director for Management Services, Atty. Ma. Mercedes
V.Dumagan re-orient the participants on DENR’s mandate, vision, mission and the
priority programs of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.

Regional Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan all the participants joined in a coastal clean-up
reminded all the learners to practice good and mangrove planting activities held in Sitio
governance and to try their utmost best to be Malambuon, Brgy. 76-A, Bucana, Davao City. At
role models both to their colleagues and in their total of 50 sacks of garbage from the coastal
communities by being efficient and effective area of the said barangay were collected by the
employees of the Department. participants and they have also planted a total of
100 mangrove propagules thereat.
“Through this training, we want to instill to you
that you have to be efficient in doing your work DENR-XI’s Assistant Regional Executive Director
and to be effective in implementing the DENR for Management Services Ma. Mercedes V.
Programs and the different environmental laws in Dumagan said that the community engagement
order to practice good governance,” she said. activity is very significant in the ENR training
course “for the learners to be aware of the many
On the other hand, with the aim to re-orient environmental issues we are facing today and
the participants on DENR’s organizational most importantly, to let them know that we have
structure and core values, Assistant Regional to do something in order to address these issues.”
Executive Director for Management Services
Atty. Ma. Mercedes V. Dumagan discussed to the DENR-XI conducted its 1st ENR Frontline and
learners the Department’s mandate, vision, and ENR Basic Courses last September 2-6, 2019 and
mission as well as the priority programs of September 10-16, 2019 respectively.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte and DENR
Secretary Roy A Cimatu.

Among the topics that were discussed during
the 5-day ENR Frontline Course are: Biodiversity
Conservation and Management Services; Forest
Resources Management Services and Tree
Cutting Permits; Mining Resources Management
Services; Disaster Risk Preparedness and
Awareness; Climate Change Mitigation; Clean
Water Act; Solid Waste Management; Client
Service Excellence; and Ethics in DENR.

Apart from the lecture series, a community
engagement activity was also conducted wherein

JAN - MAR 2020 ENVIRONEWS 7

8 ENVIRONEWS JAN - MAR 2020