USAID Philippines Deputy Director Pinson lauds DENR, PLGU Isabela By Racquel M. Caldez

ILAGAN City - Program Resources Management Office of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Philippines Deputy Program Director Nora Pinson lauded DENR Isabela for spearheading the 2015 Earth Day Celebration.

The Director said she was elated that there is a robust pro-environment constituency in Isabela as represented by the large number of participants who joined the Advocacy walk from Saint Michael Church in Gamu to the Amphitheater of the Provincial Capitol in Alibagu here.

“I would also like to commend Governor Faustino Dy III, for his leadership in celebrating Earth Day in Northern Sierra Madre, a high conservation area for biodiversity and agricultural production,” Dir. Pinson said.

Pinson further said that she heard about great work that the province of Isabela has been doing to help conserve biodiversity with the active involvement of the Isabela Environment Forest Protection Task Force in the Environmental Law Enforcement Program.

“We could not have chosen a better time and place to launch the “Bright Spots in Hot Spots” campaign than here in Isabela as we commemorate the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. Having witnessed your efforts, commitment and enthusiasm today, I am confident that your collective actions through this campaign will yield successful results. It is your time to lead, so lead well.”  Dir. Pinson said in her parting message.

PENRO William C. Savella thanked USAID for addressing the active threats to biodiversity in the NSMNP in Isabela.

“It comes down to making choices, chances and changes. It just takes a little effort to change habits like planting a single tree monthly or yearly, recycling wastes, saving water, switching off lights and fostering biodiversity in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. It takes a little will to preserve our natural resources and protect the environment. We can make a difference,” PENRO Savella said in his opening remarks.

Through USAID’s largest biodiversity and watershed project, Biodiversity Watershed Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER), jointly developed science-based innovative conservation strategies to help curb destructive practices of “kaingin” or slash and burn farming, unsustainable fuel wood collection, and timber and wildlife poaching in the Protected Area’s 270,000-hectare forest.

The Earth Day celebration was started in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

In Isabela, PENRO and USAID launched the environmental campaign highlighting BRIGHTSPOTS IN HOTSPOTS in the NSMNP.     

Hundreds of people in all walks of life demonstrated support for environmental protection and pledge to help conserve the NSMNP.

Santiago City holds CRAFT 2012 by racquel m. caldez

SANTIAGO City – The City Government of this locality held recently its City Recycling And Fashionable Trash-- “CRAFT 2012” as part of the feast of the city.

Representatives from each barangay participated in the “trashion show” and “recycled products” contests held at the Bulwagan Hall, here as part of the Pattaraday Festival 2012.

The Board of Judges who came from the ABS-CBN local TV station Cagayan Valley, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Provincial and Regional Offices were amazed with the different designs made out of trash displayed by the contestants.

ABS-CBN TV Patrol CV reporter Harris Julio said he was delighted to see the change the way people of Santiago City think about waste. “It’s unbelievable that the candidates are so creative and innovative to produce something beautiful from a simple and ordinary thing—thus turning ‘trash into fashion’.

Organized by the City ENRO, the event encourages the use of environmental- friendly projects or decorations and sort waste to help recyclers.

City Mayor Amelita Navarro thought of holding a special event dubbed as “Trashion Show” to promote environmental awareness on the usage of discarded materials. Through the show, the organizers displayed trash items that have been thrown-out but were recycled the way candidates modelled during the contest proper.

RV 925 Ventures showcases Fuyot Spring Natural Park at television net 25 by racquel m. caldez

STA VICTORIA, Ilagan – The RV 925 Ventures featured recently at television net25 the Fuyot Spring Natural Park in its weekly episode entitled, “Destination Philippines.”

The team took video footages of the Ecotourism site and products to showcase the Ilagan Sanctuary within the said Park in this town.

It was known that the FSNP was established on October 8, 1938 under Proclamation No. 327 issued by former President Manuel L. Quezon.

On January 14, 2002, the Local Government Unit of Ilagan and the DENR-Protected Area Management Board signed a Memorandum of Agreement to restore, rehabilitate and make the 200 hectares protected area operational as an eco-tourism destination.

The protected area is approximately 10 kilometers from Ilagan, the capital town of Isabela province and is accessible by tourist buses or any other motor vehicles.

FSNP attributes the presence of unique features because of the caves, waterfalls, archeological sites, fossil crafts, architecture, resort and recreational potentials.

The RV925 Ventures Executive Producer, Chie Valeros, said that the protected area park was their pilot episode for the Destination Philippines which was shown at television net25 on August 26, 2012 at 9 o’clock in the evening. 

Environment Head in Isabela cops Eagle Award By racquel m. caldez

TUGUEGARAO City – Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) in Isabela William C. Savella copped the most coveted award during the recently concluded Environment Month Culminating Program held at DENR R02 Narek Hall in this town.

Regional Executive Director Benjamin T. Tumaliuan bestowed the Eagle Award to PENRO Savella for his Outstanding integrity service orientation, network building, strategic focus and management acumen that greatly contributed to organization and leadership excellence in the DENR and for being adjudged as the BEST PENRO in the Region and as one of the top 15 PENROs in the country for the calendar year 2011.

Savella was the top Performing PENRO during the first assessment stage as he was rated through organizational performance and superior rating by the Development Academy of the Philippines.

For the CENRO level, CENR Officer of Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya Marcelo Bumidang was the top performer.

The DENR Central Office in partnership with DAP implemented the 2011 Performance Evaluation Program (PEP) for the Agency that systematically identifies the best performing field offices and officers based on criteria and performance evaluation indicators.

 Assessment of the top 15 PENROs/CENROs was conducted to determine the top 3 Most Outstanding Officers in the Philippines. The evaluation process was undertaken through document review, key informants interview and subordinates’ survey.

The EAGLE Award is the highest award given to employees and/or officials for exemplary and outstanding performance in the fulfilment of the goals and objectives of the DENR.

DENR involves stakeholders in environmental stewardship by racquel m. caldez

QUIRINO, Isabela – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources urged the involvement of stakeholders in environmental stewardship during the scheduled National Greening Program Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the NGP Site Barangay Santiago in this town.

Environment Head in Isabela William C. Savella asked the participants to declare strong support and participate in the Greening Program of DENR which aims to help solve food security, reduce poverty, help achieve environmental stability, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

“These actions are inspiring and are demonstrated with emerging societal commitment to environmental stewardship”, Savella said.

With recent developments, it suggests that a new era of environmental opportunity is upon us to make a steady environmental progress,” he further said.

The DENR officials are happy that no other than the president, Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 26 ordering and declaring the implementation of the National Greening Program. This NGP is now the flagship environmental greening program of the government which aims to plant 1.5 billon trees in 1.5 million hectares of land in the country until 2016.

DENR Regional Executive Director Benjamin Tumaliuan said he is looking forward to working with the environmental partner on this program to lead the nation to a cleaner, safer and more prosperous future. 

The environmental partners particularly the local officials in District 02 expressed sincerest gratitude to the DENR in implementing the vision for NGP.

Stakeholders have to actively take responsibility to improve environmental quality and achieve sustainable results for they have an important role to play in promoting and sustaining the programs of the Department. 

4Ps beneficiaries receive checks by racquel m. caldez

ILAGAN, Isabela – Twenty six beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) San Mariano town received checks during the launching of the "Sustainable Livelihood and Environment for Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) disadvantaged clients" program held recently at the Amphitheatre of the Provincial Capitol here.

The 4Ps and non-4Ps were provided P6,000 each as initial capital for the propagation of seedlings to be planted at the DENR’s identified National Greening Program project sites. 

DENR awarded the 127 chosen beneficiaries with Letter of Acceptance or LOA to plant forest trees and fruit-bearing trees.

Both agencies agreed to tie up for the formulation of a cooperation program wherein the beneficiaries will be the vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors of the community.

The cooperation program highlights the National Greening Program where the DENR identified and provided 100 hectares of land located at Disulap, San Mariano, Isabela, the pilot area, while the DSWD identified 60 beneficiaries from barangay Disulap and Marannao who are also under the 4Ps.

San Mariano was the first town identified by the two government agencies as the beneficiaries of DENR and DSWD cooperation program. 

DSWD Undersecretary for Operation Parisya H. Tarayji said the program aims to improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged individuals in all sectors of society and to implement an area-based, eco-system approach of sustaining the environment and livelihood of the poor and marginalized within the context of sustainable development convergence strategy of the national government.

Regional Technical Director for Forestry Wilfredo Malvar turned over to Usec Taradyi the General Perspective on the Greening and Landscaping Plan for the field office and for the Cagayan Valley Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth and DSWD Field Office compound during the launching.

WASTE REDUCTION THROUGH “TRASHION” SHOW Recyclable and Fashionable Trash By racquel m. caldez

We are surprised and delighted to see the change in the way people think about waste.  And what adds up to the delight is that people do this in a fun, innovative, playful and memorable way. It’s actually unbelievable that there are people who are so creative and innovative enough to produce something so beautiful from a simple and ordinary thing. Indeed, they hold design and environmentalism in equal measure. 

We are happy that the City Government of Santiago went further and thought of holding a special event to display the different designs out of the trash in what they called a ‘Trashion’ Show. With their high creativity and imagination, they turned trash into fashion. The creative process involved making trash and items that have been used or thrown-out to create a new material entirely just like what they modelled. They manipulated all previously used and discarded materials into dresses, suits, and accessories. They gave new life to worthless wrappers, newspapers, plastic bags, boxes; turning those wastes into trendy costumes, bags and jewelry. Everything is really possible.

We are faced with great excitement and enthusiasm toward the idea of this endeavour and glad that they showed great responsibility, friendly competition and creative designs. But more importantly is that they learned as well the value of teamwork. It provided people an opportunity to connect, conceptualize and create with one another. This project and show was made for them not only to produce creative designs, but to tighten up their bonds as friends, neighbors, community and to have fun working together. This will really give a great impact and will surely motivate many.

And who knows, this will be the start of something wonderful... opportunities for many ...added protection to Mother Earth. Who knows that every item that was made reduces land pollution and serves as a very visible reminder that wastes can be put to good use long after its initial purpose has expired.

This is also an opportune time to educate the public about the environment and their responsibility to keep it clean for the good of humanity and of the planet's ecosystems as a whole. It is just another way to do your part for a greener world.

Too many materials end up in trash bins. They are deemed aesthetically redundant and get discarded at the end of the usage. It came to the point of looking for immediate solutions for many and the government to utilize waste for something that’s creative and promotes environmental awareness, But for the creative, artistic, innovative people like them, they feel that there is something they can easily do with those items so they become lovely, delicate and eco friendly fashion wear and other items.

From the Trashion Show, we learn to appreciate more and to never underestimate Mother Nature. Indeed, she brings wonders to the world. It is but amazing to make your own fashion treasures from trash. One can improve the quality of the unused or unwanted trash into something more valuable or of better use to man. We believe that for the next few years, there's going to be a significant amount. So, we say, long live whatever else they can be used for!