viewpoint by racquel m. caldez

Kalikasan Update on its 13th Year: The Advocacy Continues!
True to the commitment of providing people with opportunities for their environmental awareness, the Kalikasan Update recently turned to its 13 years of producing quality newsletter.
The Kalikasan Update is the official paper of DENR Isabela, with a dedication to help improve the dissemination of DENR information, programs and innovative environmental projects to the community and society.
Indeed, we are reminded that these years of blessings are supposed to be the most precious and enduring because for this simple reason we are able to share our piece of writing which in any way persuades the public to care for the natural environment.
But what do we look forward to after this celebration?
We look forward to be among the exceptional who do not only demonstrate excellence in disseminating information, but more importantly, display exemplary advocacy, leadership and compassionate involvement anchored on good moral values in fighting the battle against environmental destruction.
Advocacy? What really is this thing? We understand that it is the organization and deliberate use of information to persuade a specific audience to take action.
Yes, we are one in our quest in creating a new world order in the environmental battle arena. That, amidst the awe and wonder we have of the fruits of the scientific and technological progress, the information and communication revolution which have dramatically changed our lives, our ways of thinking and feeling, may this simple gesture be a driving force for others to take action.
We must directly represent, defend, intervene, support or recommend a course of action for the justice that Mother Earth deserves.
We shall continue to expand organized efforts of partners and stakeholders and mobilize them into action. We shall get the commitment of the public to act on the problem or issue of environmental destruction and degradation.
Yet, at the same time, we are afraid that with the world embracing the culture of greed and violence, people were not educated to become fully human, or were enabled to develop all the powers and faculties of the whole person. There is a realization that overemphasis on carelessness led to the neglect of the environment.
But this persuades us for the determination to consider the place and role of sharing our minds through the written articles. We must continue our environmental involvement, where media enforces environmental values, that we might have less fear, more cooperation, more learning in environmental care.
We continue to promote concern for the environment. Information can enhance adoption of new, environmentally friendly technologies. May we achieve superior environmental performance while supporting our main principles of protection, conservation, and preservation.
For thirteen years, we have fed the public with so much knowledge and information but we hope that they have not lost their sense of appreciation. We make sure that they are informed, and yet necessarily inspired. Inspired to act.
Indeed, we all deserve to receive a gift. Undoubtedly, the DENR administrators and personnel are trying to give the best gift of programs and policies which we could use in our endeavours of caring for the environment. Which in return, as stakeholders and advocates, we give them our gifts of perseverance, respect, discipline and more.
I guess what we have to learn in all of this is to celebrate the good parts of our accomplishments. Likewise, we must not forget to remember, give and share to those who were affected by the typhoons, floods and landslides, and to those who were affected by the carelessness of the many in heeding the call of Mother Earth.
And we should be made to realize that the earth is the Lord’s noblest creation and the fullest thereof, that, even our life and all that we acquire are entrusted to us by God for our stewardship.

ESTANISLAO T. CALDEZ (MESSAGE)

To the staff of the DENR Isabela newsletter “KALIKASAN Updates” on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of publication, I join the readers and officials of your province in congratulating all of you for the rare privilege of chronicling the historical events of your Department.

May you continue to do what is necessary and even what is impossible to influence the people to appreciate the beauty and bounty of Nature. But at the same time, for them to realize that nature too, needs care, concern and protection.

One act might be a flicker of hope to do better for the environment. And the flicker of hope may become brighter flashes of light to illuminate our path to a safer place to live in. KALIKASAN Updates made a move. It ignited the flicker of hope for 13 years and this light will still go on for the years to come.

Continue doing the good work.


ESTANISLAO T. CALDEZ
Phil. Daily Inquirer Correspondent

MA. FATIMA C. SAQUING (MESSAGE)

I am pleased to convey to you my warmest congratulations.
After thirteen years of providing information about environmental protection, I just feel so glad it has reached this far.
The advocacy for environmental stewardship has always been my motivation to contribute articles to your paper. I hope we could still come up with ideas and innovative contributions that are changing our environmental footprint.
Indeed, issues surrounding the quality of our environment are really big and they call for big solutions. And investing time and resources in the development of innovative ideas, dissemination of best practices to stop, and possibly help reverse, environmental damaging practices has been a great avenue for this.
And we are learning more of the impact of protecting and caring for Mother Earth through the news and articles we read in the “Kalikasan Updates” paper. And DENR Isabela newsletter just made a good job in doing so.
I wish to borrow the words of one Environmental stewardship advocate by saying, “ Now, do not stand by as tepid souls, but step forward and enter the battle to protect our environment.”
May we find ourselves as leaders in elevating standards of protecting the environment. Our goal should never waver from preserving natural resources and the environment by reducing waste and reusing or recycling production materials, when possible in the midst of dangers posed by our world’s new realities.
Always make a difference and continue to partner with the people and it is paramount to meeting our environmental goals in the region and the country.
Again, my congratulations to the editorial board and staff of Kalikasan Update. Kudos also for a job well done and for maintaining the integrity of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

MA. FATIMA C. SAQUING, MSN
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY
TUGUEGARAO, CITY

GOVERNOR ALVARO ANTONIO (MESSAGE)

Republic of the Philippines
PROVINCE OF CAGAYAN
TUguegarao City

Congratulations to the men and women behind the success of DENR Isabela newsletter KALIKASAN Updates. Indeed, I am honored to be part of your newsletter's 13th anniversary issue.

Just recently, Cagayan Valley was confounded with different catastrophes that brought about horrible damages to agriculture, and infrastructure because of our culpable acts against mother nature. We are now experiencing the nightmare brought about by man's carelessness and neglect of his environment,

I urge you, therefore to be one of our partners in informing our provincemates through print media on environmetal concerns particularly on care of environment so as not to experience once again the ravaging effects of the anger of mother nature.
It is through our collective efforts that we realize our highest hopes and dreams to have a better place to live in.
Again, congratulations and God Bless!

ATTY. ALVARO R. ANTONIO

DENR Director Laureano B. Lingan Jr. (message)

Isang Makakalikasang Pagbati!
We take pride in congratulating the staff of “KALIKASAN UPDATE”, IN-HOUSE NEWSLETTER of PENRO Isabela, in celebrating its 13th anniversary as you continue your advocacy in the conservation of our natural resources and protection of our environment to attain a better quality of life.
Region 02 supports the goal of our Secretary Hon. Lito L. Atienza to carry on a massive and efficient information campaign in achieving a wholesome environment and sustainable development making use of the various means of communication.
Your efforts to pursue this endeavor is a medium that binds the community and the government to understand and appreciate better their role in the protection and conservation of our natural resources.
Carry on and More Power!


LAUREANO B. LINGAN JR., CESO IV
Regional Executive Director

Perla A. Visorro President/CEO Cagayan Valley Partners in People Development (message)

Our warm felicitations to KALIKASAN UPDATES of DENR PENRO Isabela on its 13th anniversary issue! It is noteworthy that PENRO Isabela has sustained the publication of KALIKASAN UPDATES for more than a decade to perform its development communication and public relations functions. Just like any corporate communication tool and being more than a mouthpiece of its agency, a publication like KALIKASAN is a knowledge provider to its various readers – government offices, local government units, business and industry, and civil society – the academe, NGOs, church, and the public at large. It can re-align their orientation, influence their perspectives and shape their values and attitudes regarding the environment. It is imperative that it delivers correct environmental information at the right time. When, for instance, that time says “Isabela rise, join hands to protect the environment and conserve its precious biodiversity”, it must make that CALL! LOUD AND CLEAR!

One such time is NOW – just when Isabela has already woken to the reality of illegal logging happening in the Northern Sierra Madre Nature Park and is recovering from the devastations caused by the recent natural calamities and other extreme weather conditions.

This is a major challenge for KALIKASAN and I have no doubt that it can meet the challenge. It must. CARRY ON!


Perla A. Visorro
President/CEO
Cagayan Valley Partners in People Development

PIA Director Purita Licas (message)

To the editorial staff of “Kalikasan Updates,” congratulation for surviving 13 years of pressures that may have been brought about by concerns on the environment, specifically on the popular issue on long-range structural change in the earth’s ecology.

You have played vital role in advocating environmental protection so that the people become not only aware but also concerned and accordingly, act so that everyone becomes partner towards that end.

I commend you for maintaining the Kalikasan Updates as a tool for dissemination and thus, opening the hearts and minds of the people to the realities of the present global environmental phenomenon.

I am with you in advocating moral responsibility to the public to ensure that the future generations will have a healthy environment to live in.

Today, the most popular debate on the environmental effects of globalization is particularly concerned with the question whether a worldwide liberalization of trade and economy may provoke environmental collapse. The economy is obviously important, and businesses need to make money, but how important is a healthy economy or record profit margins if we don’t have a healthy environment in which we enjoy them.

We have only one planet, and one chance of saving it before it gets too late and before we get to the stage where the impact of climate change is irreversible. We have a role, as individuals, to play. Change we must do in the way we live our lives- we need to be greener in everything we do, and we need to put pressure on the politicians, academe, corporations, church, youth and all sectors of the society to do their bit and start taking their responsibilities seriously.

May we continually be an advocate in mitigating climate change and in protecting Mother Earth.

Long live……..Congratulations!


PURITA S. LICAS, LLB, MPA
Regional Director
Philippine Information Agency
Region 2

Sec. Jose L. Atienze, Jr. (message)

Greetings to the staff of KALIKASAN Updates and to all the members of the DENR Family in Isabela!

To the DENR, the province of Isabela represents a supreme challenge. This is where the largest stand of our country’s remaining old-growth forest pleads for protection and conservation. This forest is home to an incredible array of biodiversity, much of it endemic. And Isabela is co-host with the province of Aurora to the country’s largest protected area, the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, consisting of almost 360,000 hectares, four-fifths of which is terrestrial and the rest marine. It has been tagged as a “tentative” World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. So crucial is this area to our environment, that others – including Conservation International, the Smithsonian Institution, and other foreign partners – have also placed it under caring watch.

More than elsewhere, the DENR in Isabela is being measured according to the high expectations of global environmental exponents. The DENR-Isabela, therefore, deserves the fullest support that we in the Central Office can muster.

We are highly pleased to note, however, that the DENR-Isabela has been proactive. Its KALIKASAN Updates for the past 13 years are eloquent proof of what has become a tradition of taking the initiative, and of having worthwhile achievements to report to and share with local stakeholders as well as international partners. To be able to sustain such performance under constant pressure is nothing short of admirable.

I therefore encourage the people of DENR-Isabela to keep up the very good work. Your commendable example is certainly an inspiration to the rest of the DENR Family.

Mabuhay!



JOSE L. ATIENZA JR.
Secretary

Bishop Rodolfo Beltran (message)

I am please to extend my heartfelt greetings to the staff of the DENR Isabela newsletter “KALIKASAN Updates” on the occasion of its 13th anniversary of service to the people of our region.

The paper does not only make us aware of the present situation of the environment and natural resources of the region, but even challenges us for our participation in the protection and preservation of the same. Direct participation in the forest and environmental order is the special responsibility of the citizenry in our country. It is our specific task to renew the temporal order according to the principles and values of the common good.

More power to KALIKASAN Updates!


MOST REV. RODOLFO F. BELTRAN, DD
Bishop of Bontoc Lagawe

Upland Development Program beneficiaries receive CLEEP certificates, checks

By racquel m. caldez



ILAGAN, Isabela – Upland Development Program beneficiaries from Magat Forest Reserve in Ramon and Pinacanauan River watersheds in San Pablo in this province recently received Comprehensive livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) certificates and checks during the Independence Day celebration.

PENRO Alfredo Almueda, CENROs San Isidro and Cabagan with Local Executives, PENRO Isabela Officials and CENRO Staff awarded CLEEP certificates to 30 beneficiaries and 150 recipients in Ramon and San Pablo towns respectively with a corresponding cost of Php 4,829.25 for Agro Forestry and Php2,282.40 for Agro Forestry each from the 15% mobilization fund downloaded to PENRO Isabela.

The identified sites in Isabela for Upland Development Program has a total of 1,032 hectares area covered as indicated in the survey results and maps submitted by CENROs Palanan, Cabagan and San Isidro

From the targeted areas in Isabela which are the Magat Forest Reserve in Ramon and Cordon, Pinacanuan River Watersheds in Tumauini and in San Pablo, as well as the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park in Palanan, Divilacan and Maconacon were prioritized to avail the Emergency Employment and Pro-poor Livelihood Program in lieu with President Arroyo’s Hunger Mitigation program to generate employment for organized upland dwellers and members of community- based forestry program by involving them in the protection of the country’s environment and natural resources.

Environment Provincial Head Alfredo Almueda said that the livelihood project beneficiaries from local communities are contracted to reforest designated areas by planting and maintaining fruit trees.

San Isidro Community Environment Natural Resources Officer Mindo Aquino said the CLEEP of the government being spearheaded by DENR Secretary Jose L Atienza, Jr. could now divert the undivided attention of the beneficiaries from the paradigm of tree cutting to tree planting activities.

The resources of the DENR for calendar year 2009 in forest development and management have been substantially reconfigured to accelerate the restoration of the environmental service functions of vital watershed and protected area. This, in addition to simultaneously catalyzing the improvement of productivity of the uplands, creating incomes of upland poor, mitigating hunger among highly vulnerable populations, engaging organized upland communities, and providing the climate for gainful economic production for poor upland dwellers.

denr isabela newsletter

DENR, DepEd discuss school sites for titling

by racquel m. caldez

SAN ISIDRO, Isabela – The Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR) represented by Regional Technical Director for Lands Gil A. Aromin and the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 02 District Supervisors, Principals and Head Teachers recently discussed the school lots for Presidential Proclamation in reference to the request of the Secretary of Department of Education for the issuance of titles over lands being occupied and/or utilize for public school purposes.

An orientation seminar workshop was conducted at the San Isidro National High School in this town to discuss the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DENR and DepEd and to fast-track the titling of all unproclaimed/untitled school sites in Cagayan Valley.

Land Management Specialist of DENR Isabela Mylene Madduma said the school sites which are untitled although have been occupied by these schools decades or more ago and some are covered with deed of donation recommended for issuance and approval of proclamation.

The issuance of the presidential proclamation reserving the sites exclusively for educational purposes in order to protect the properties of public schools from encroachment, usurpation and adverse claims of ownership by private entities in particular, the DENR and DepEd will implement the activities under the Memorandum of Agreement, in accordance with the approved work and financial plan.

denr isabela "kalikasan updates" newsletter

CHARLIE C. LAGASCA Philippine STAR reporter Cagayan Valley (Message )

“The free flow of information on matters of public concern is crucial to maintaining an informed community.”

With this in mind, I wish to extend my greetings to the publication “Kalikasan” which has been dishing out important information on environment matters, including government policy relating to the environment, by which the citizenry at large may be guided.

As a newsletter of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Isabela, it understandably reflects the stand and sentiments of the DENR leadership and programs in the province, which is in consonance with the DENR national office, but this does not diminish the value of news and information regularly fed to its recipients.

I hope “Kalikasan,” as the name connotes, always advocates environmental protection, one of which is to continue empowering the community with appropriate information that would encourage them to involve themselves in such endeavors. Indeed, community participation can only be achieved and maximized through a well-informed community.

On behalf of The Philippine STAR, may I therefore extend to those men and women behind “Kalikasan” my warmest greetings on your 13th year. May you have many more years of bringing enlightenment to your clientele as well as to your neighboring citizens.

May I also reiterate our enduring partnership, along with other media partners towards our common mission of preserving and nurturing Mother Nature.

DENR Isabela supports Earth Hour

by racquel m. caldez

The employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of this province supported the Earth Hour by turning off their lights in response to the directive of DENR Secretary Lito Atienza in reference to the letter of Secretary Angelo T. Reyes of the Department of Energy and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines Chairman Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan.

Earth Hour 2009 is an international campaign calling for serious and sustained action on global warming. It urges people from various walks of life to switch off lights from 8:30 to 9:30 in the evening of Saturday on March 28 as an expression of voluntary support.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Alfredo Almueda enjoined his staff and personnel to comply with the one hour voluntary darkness to raise awareness on the effect of climate change.

Signages on the scheduled Earth Hour were posted in strategic places proved as an effective information dissemination to promote the global event sending a powerful message, that it is possible to take action on global warming.

Earth Hour Philippines involved Filipinos, private sector and business establishments in the observance of “turning off the lights” Earth Hour 2009.


denr isabela publication "KALIKASAN Updates"

DENR salutes National Color

BY RACQUEL M. CALDEZ


Officials and employees led by PENRO Alfredo M. Almueda and his staff at the CENRO level successfully celebrated the National Flag Day

Taking instruction from Regional Executive Director Laureano Lingan, Jr. and from PENRO Almueda, the Community Environment and Natural Officers in Isabela moved their resources to facilitate the display of the national flag and have its own innovative approach in coming up with their activities related to the celebration

CENRO Naguilian headed by OIC CENR Officer Samuel Berlin displayed the tarpaulin flags in three strategic places within their area of jurisdiction. The tarpaulin flags were displayed at the Binallay Park in Ilagan and along the high way at Naguilian junction and San Mariano.

OIC CENRO Mindo Aquino of San Isidro displayed the giant tarpaulin flags in a prominent places in this southern town of the province at the Isabela State University in Echague, distributed Flags (posters) to Bus Drivers and LGU while CENRO Roxas headed by Forester Jaime Frogoso had shown support to the DENR Secretary as manifested by the activities undertaken in relation to the celebration. Installed the tarpaulin flag along the intersection road going westward to the Roxas Town proper, Northward to Central Terminal and Roxas Central School, Eastward to CENR Office and Barangay Karagsakan, Southward to the Roxas to Ilagan Road in front of the Roxas Central Park and Philippine National Police.

Palanan CENR Office headed by CENRO Williams Savella immediately moved to comply with the instruction of the PENR Officer to display the Philippine National Flag and conduct related activities to commemorate this event.

CENRO Cabagan chose Isabela State University in Catabayungan, Cabagan as the most appropriate place for them to display the tarpaulin flag provided by the DENR Regional Office. CENR Officer Melchor Abiqui pointed in his report that flag ceremony, motorcade and IEC on the legal basis of the Philippine Flag Day was conducted.

CENRO Cauayan through the leadership of Forester Edilberto Crabajal displayed the tarpaulin flag at the Cauayan Airport clearly seen by the airline passengers.

The six CENRO field offices of the DENR-PENRO coordinated with officials of other government agencies, school heads, LGUs, civic groups, the religious and even the military within their turf for the display of the Philippine flag, posters and stickers.

To boost the participation of other groups to this historic event, PENRO Isabela installed the tarpaulin flags provided with wooden frame in strategic places along the National Highway of Alibagu Capitol compound in coordination with ENRO Geronimo Cabaccan of Provincial Office and in front of the Public Market in Ilagan along national highway which is adjacent to public places like hospitals, parks, and other commercial establishments to catch the attention of passers-by.





On May 28, PENRO Isabela personnel, PEMO Proculo Castaneda and staff, CENRO Samuel V. Berlin of Naguilian with staff and employees, representatives from CENRO Cauayan, Cabagan, Palanan, San Isidro and Roxas with students from Isabela State University in Ilagan covened at the DENR PENRO Office for the Flag Raising ceremony, with some announcement for the activity to be undertaken followed with a short prayer led by Forestry Specialist Arnold D. Frogoso after which the group proceeded to their scheduled motorcade from PENRO Office to Ilagan Town Proper and along Alibagu Capitol with escorts from the Philippine National Police.

Pieces (posters, stickers & flaglets) of national emblem were distributed and to various government instrumentalities, business establishments, educational institutions and private entities as well as private and public utility vehicles.

All participating personnel were given flaglets, flag stickers and their vehicles were marked with controlled numbers.

Administrative Officer Henriza Azurin announced during the motorcade the importance of this event with background song entitled “Pilipinas Kong Mahal”.

A Live News Coverage at DY Patrol Morning Edition anchored by DWDY reporter Conrado Delos Reyes during the date set for the celebration of our national flag.

DENR Secretary Lito L. Atienza Jr. has been tasked by her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to lead the celebration of the National Flag Day for the second consecutive year.

This year’s theme “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa tunay na Kalayaan” echoes President Arroyo’s resolve to foster unity among Filipinos under a national symbol of an extraordinary country blessed by God.#


DENR ISABELA NEWSLETTER "KALIKASAN Updates"

Atienza approves deputation of Isabela Bishop, other priests

BY RACQUEL CALDEZ


Secretary Jose L. Atienza of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources approved recently the deputation of Bishop Joseph Nacua, Diocese of Ilagan, Isabela as Deputy Environment and Natural Resources Officer (DENRO) together with Father John Ancheta, Diocesan Social Action director; Father John Couvreur, Chairman Diocesan Ecology Desk; Father Arnold Sadyaas, Parish Priest of Jones; Father Carlos Villanueva, Parish Priest of San Agustin; Father Marcial Bartolome, Parish Priest of San Guillermo; Father Elmer Lozona, Parish Priest of Cauayan City; Father Peter Simangan of San Mariano; Father Peter Rambac of Benito Soliven; Father Zeus Angobong, Parish Priest of San Antonio in Ilagan; Father Emery Cadiz, Parish Priest of San Pablo; Father Samuel dela Peña Salazar, Parish Priest of Maconacon; Father Peter Dionisio, Parish Priest of St. Mary Magdalene in Palanan; Johny C. Claingay, Robert S. Casue, Angel Barican, Dante Salazar, and Romy Salazar of St. Mary Magdalene Parish.

The Deputation authorized the Bishop of Isabela and other priests to exercise the powers and authorities conferred in the Order within the province of Isabela and shall expire one year upon its approval or unless revoked by the DENR Secretary.

Environment Head of Isabela Alfredo Almueda said the Deputized Environment and Natural Resources Officers (DENRO) are authorized to arrest, even without warrant any person who has committed, is committing any of the offenses provided in the environmental and natural resources laws, rules and regulations; act as witness in Court of criminal complaints against forest exploiters; assist in the issuance of apprehension receipts, seizure orders and notices of administrative hearings; shall assist in the conduct of environmental information campaign, such as meetings, public assembly in coordination with DENR officersand personnel of other government or private agencies involved in similar task.

Forester Almueda further said the DENRO are required to submit monthly accomplishment report to the Secretary.

PENRO Isabela forestry Specialist Artemio Gavino, Jr. also vouched that there was an approved deputation order issued to Isabela Governor Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca as Deputy Environment and Natural Resources Officer pursuant to the provisions of Section IX of DENR Administrative Order No. 2000-11, otherwise known as Revised/Updated Manual of Approval issued by Secretary and in consonance with the provisions of Presidential Decree 705, as amended and consistent to the provisions stipulated in the DENR Administrative Order No. 41, series of 1991 and all other existing environment and natural resources


DENR ISABELA NEWSLETTER "KALIKASAN UPDATES

DENR executive lauds UDP Isabela Task Force

BY RACQUEL M. CALDEZ

ILAGAN, Isabela - Upland Development Program (UDP)-Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) Coordinator for Northern Luzon Director Benjamin Tumaliuan lauded the UDP Provincial Task Force in Isabela for the smooth flow of discussion presided by PENRO Alfredo M. Almueda in the recent Regional, Provincial Task Forces and LOI Appraisal Meeting held at the Pinaroc Hall at DENR PENRO in Ilagan town.

Director Tumaliuan urged the participants to support the directive of DENR Secretary Jose Atienza, Jr. to intensify President Arroyo’s Hunger Mitigation measures and sustainable upland management program entitled “The 2009 Upland Development Program”.

He said he is optimistic about the success of this noble approach to reforestation agroforestry for it will involve upland communities in planting, nurturing and protecting trees.

The resources of the DENR for calendar year 2009 in forest development and management have been substantially reconfigured to accelerate the restoration of the environmental service functions of vital watershed and protected area. This, in addition to simultaneously catalyzing the improvement of productivity of the uplands, creating incomes of upland poor, mitigating hunger among highly vulnerable populations, engaging organized upland communities, and providing the climate for gainful economic production for poor upland dwellers, Tumaliuan said.

Tumaliuan further posed a challenge to the participants in his closing message “Cagayan Valley might not be the Best Region but still my Region but hopefully in July of next month will be the best Region”.

In response to the message of Director Tumaliuan, PENRO Almueda personally thanked the Regional Task Force and expressed full support to the program of the department.

Provincial Task Force II Team Leader Alma Abanto presented during the meeting the identified sites in Isabela for Upland Development Program with a total of 1,032 hectares area covered as indicated in the survey results and maps submitted by CENROs Palanan, Cabagan and San Isidro while UDP Operation Task Force Team Leader Artemio Gavino, Jr. presented in figures the UDP beneficiaries who will be engaged in the development of identified areas.

DENR ISABELA NEWSLETTER "KALIKASAN UPDATES"

UP student endorses analysis of hornbills

By racquel m. caldez

ILAGAN, Isabela – University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños student presented recently the research proposal entitled “Comparative Analysis of Hornbill Densities, Diet Movement and Hunting Pressure across Three Different Habitat Gradient”

Juan Carlos Gonzalez, a faculty on leave of the Institute of Biological Sciences of Arts and Sciences who requested for a permit from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to conduct research study within the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) in Palanan explained the rationale for field research on ecology, evolution and conservation of Philippine Hornbills during the scheduled Executive Committee Meeting of the PAMB held at the DENR Office in this town.

The UP student said the Palanan Forest Dynamics Plot (PFLP) field station represents the base camp located at the centre of the study area, where 4.0 sq. m grids are set-up varying in disturbance gradient such as the primary on old growth lowland tropical rainforest (NW grid), selectively-logged or residual lowland tropical rainforest (central grid) and Degraded or secondary growth tropical rainforest (SE grid)

The research proponent intends to capture the Hornbills from nests using mist-nets then recapture after two weeks to retrieve data logged Geographical Positioning System (GPS) fixes to reveal baseline information about the foraging and breeding ecology.

Philippine Hornbill locally named Kalaw also known as Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax) is a large species of hornbill endemic to the Phillippines, where it occurs in primary, mature secondary notably in the Sierra Madre of Luzon and are least studied in the world. The bol of the nominate subspecies is all red, while the bills of the subspecies semigaleatus and mindanensis are pale yellow on the distal half.#

kalikasan updates

DENR ISABELA PUBLICATION

asterisk by mindo n, aquino

Dagiti biddut iti ngalay ti biag

Mindo N. Aquino

ITI naminsan nga aldaw, naayabankami a nagatendar iti bista ti kaso maipanggep iti susik iti daga. Agkakabagian piman dagiti mabista. No di man agkakabsat, aguuliteg, agiikit, wenno agkakasinsin. Ket nakakalkaldaang, no di man makapasuron dagiti simmaruno nga eksena. Apay?

Agaangat dagiti maseknan iti husgado maipapan iti apagda iti daga a pundar daydi tatang ken loloda. Sabagay, dakkelen ti balor ti nasao a propiedad no kadagitoy a mailako. Iti pattapattami, aganay ti 4,000 metro kuadrado a lote iti 20 a riwriw a pisos ta naisaad daytoy iti napintas a lugar; tay masasao a prime lot.

Ket agpayso a di magawidan dagiti maseknan nga agkakabagian ti agaangat gapu iti daytoy nakagangganas a panunoten a gatad a pagbibingayan dagiti 21 nga eredero; karaman met ditan siempre dagiti dua nga abogado ti dua a partido. Nupay mayatda a pagguguduaan ti nasao a gatad no mailako ti lote, adda latta panagaripapa a mamagkintayeg kadagiti kaungganda ta malaksid ngata nga awan naan-anay a panagtalekda kadagiti kakabagianda, adu pay dagiti simmangka-utro nga iskwater a timmadog ditoy. Ket ngarud, no mailako ti daga, agkamat la ketdi iti sukat ti bannogda a nagpapintas itoy a lugar dagiti nasao nga iskwater.

Ita, adtoy ti siste. Idi madanon ti bista, saan a timmabuno dagiti dadduma a maseknan. Naladaw a dimteng iti husgado dagiti dadduma. Awan naan-anay a power of attorney dagiti nakedngan a mangisandi kadagiti panglakayen ti tunggal pamilia/eredero. Sa pay ket inamin dagiti dua nga abogado ti agsumbangir a partido a mayat dagiti maseknan a makiinnapir ken makiareglo.

Ket ania pay, kinastigon a ni apo hues dagiti dua. Kunana: Kasano nga ibagayo a kayat dagiti klienteyo ti agsasango tapno maareglo ti kaso no ditoy pay mismo a husgado ket dida umay? Kayatdanto laengen ngarud dita ngalay ti dalan nga agsasarita ken agkikinnapia? Sa idi kuan, naisaruno ti napintas ken nakallalagip a pamagbaga nga indupag ti nalaing ken naindaklan a hues. Ket nagyamananmi ti pannakaayabmi iti dayta a bista ta pudno a makapakintayeg-rikna dagiti pammagbaga toy gayyemtayo a hues.

Inrugina a kinuna: “Narigat a bistaen ti kaso a dagiti aglalaban ket agkakabagian. Kitanyo, a, imbasana iti folder a nakaukrad iti sangona-- ‘dela Cruz vs. dela Cruz, Rizal vs. Rizal, Sikatuna vs. Sikatuna.’ Ket ania kadi ti pagaapaanda? Ti daga a pinundar dagiti amma ken apongda. Awan ti dakkel a bannogyo iti pannakapundar dayta a daga. Dagiti appoyo ti nagpatedted iti di kaskarina a ling-et, dara ken buteg iti pannakataripato dayta a propiedad. Sa ita agaangatkayo a kasla aso ken pusa? No laeng ngata makasubli ken makasarita pay dagidi aappoyo, nalabit kunaenda: dimi la koman pinunpundar dayta a sanikua ta isu met gayam ti agbalin nga urat ti riri ken tulbek ti diyo panagkikinnaawatan.”

Intuloy ti hues a rebbengna nga itandudotayo koma ti tinawidtayo a nagan dagidi appotayo. Ket dagiti sanikuada nga imbatida kadatayo, saluadantayo koma a sipapakumbaba. Ditay koma aguman ti nakalawlawa a sanikua ta ditayo maitugot iti panungpalan. Ta mano kadi a metro kuadrado ti masapultayo a daga nga umuli sadi langit?

Agpayso met ngamin. No adda kaso, kanayon nga agkikita dagiti nagdarum ken dagiti naidarum iti korte tunggal bista. Ket, kas kuna pay ti hues, iti kada panagkikitayo ngumato ti presion ti darayo. Intono kuan addan high bloodyo. Ket agpaagaskayo. Agingga a mausaryo met laeng ti gatad ti matawidyo a sanikua a pagbayad iti doktor. Ken siempre, pagbayad iti abogado. Inton agangay, aglalo no umabot iti 30 a tawen ti panagngalay ti kaso iti husgado, ad-adunton ti gastostayo ngem ti balor ti daga nga ilablabantayo! Ngamin, dumanon pay iti nasurok a 50 a tawen ti kaso iti dagdaga santo madisisyonan ta agapela met dagiti maabak iti umuna a wanas ti panagsangoda iti bista.

Manen, nasayaat a banag no sakbay a dumatag iti pangukuman dagiti maseknan – aglalo no agkakabagida—gapu iti apada iti daga wenno aniaman a sanikua, pagtutungtongandan nga umuna. Iti kasta mapengdan ti gastos. Mapengdan pay ti panagsisina ti dana dagiti sigud a nasinged nga agkakapamilia. Ket talaga met a makapadayaw dayta nga agpang iti sango ni Apo Dios. Iti kasta magawidan dagiti sumagmamano a biddut iti ngalay ti biag.

viewpoint by racquel m. caldez

Cleaning the Air for a Safer Climate: What would it take?

By racquel m. caldez

Air is the most essential nutrient for human life. We must have it on a moment to moment basis. We have been designed to run on it.

In fact, the earth is a home to about billion masses of air. We have so much when we think of it in quantity. But quality-wise, are we still doing fine? What kind of air are we feeding ourselves? Are we thinking of the air that we hear from our ancestors?

We are knowledgeable that the air we breathe nowadays is far from being ideal. With the presence of various and several factories, smoke from cigarettes, smoke belching vehicles in the country, the quality of air has decreased greatly.

We have a polluted air that threatens the human health. And to a large extent, we have a polluted air that lead to global warming and climate change. This makes the climate unsafe for everyone. And we have no idea of the damaging impacts it might have.

Now, we no longer treat air pollution and climate change as distinct problems because the two are very closely related. Air pollution affects the regional and global climate. We have felt the world has gotten warmer while the atmosphere is becoming more and more pollution-filled.

Media exposes the scenarios of El Nino and La Nina Phenomena. And there will be more frequent and more intense floods or droughts. It is a common knowledge that floods and droughts already cause more deaths, gloom and damage in economy than any other type of disasters we know. And increase in their frequency or intensity could be the most damaging impacts of global climate change.

We all are affected by these negative effects on our environment. Is there still hope of reversing this situation? Are we fated to die gasping for fresh air and praying for a healthier environment and a safer climate? Yes, we have the hope in our hands. We can still have a safer climate by doing some essential actions. We can still breathe clean air and we can still enjoy a clean environment.

But improvement in air quality will not happen automatically. Steps to fight air pollution must be central to any work that targets climate change and global warming.

Ten years ago, the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippine Congress enacted the Republic Act No. 8749 or the known, "Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999." It declared that the state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall also promote and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems.

It also emphasized the rights of the citizens to breathe clean air, to utilize and enjoy all natural resources according to the principle of sustainable development.

But at the same time it gives the citizens the responsibility to participate in the formulation, planning, implementation and monitoring of environmental policies and programs and in the decision-making process.

We are then to engage in the business of solving the problem with the climate through civic engagement, education and effective policy.

Thus, we all have a role to play in improving air quality. There are many small and simple things we can all do to reduce the amount of air pollution we produce. Together, these small actions can add up to have major benefits for our climate and the environment. We have to do something. This is what it takes to have a safer climate.

In Region 2, the government, and other sectors of society such as the academe, religious groups, NGOs, business sector and private organizations are doing something. Citizens can do something.

Since everything starts at home, it is but proper that inside our home, we can already do our part. We can conserve energy by decreasing consumption of electricity which contributes to the burning of fossil fuels by power plants that contributes to global warming.

Outside our home, we can plant shade trees, we can avoid burning our garbage, debris and leaves in our backyard which contribute to harmful emissions resulting to smog. We can also be an environmental warrior in our workplace to help reduce their carbon emissions by using public transport, and walk and cycle where possible, and use a fuel-efficient car as transport. Or we can spearhead efforts in our community of cleaning the air that we breathe through the democratic process, encourage local and national government to deliver policies that properly take the environment into account.

In fact, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 started with its action by promoting 'Kalesa' for smoke-free transportation in the region to reduce and subsequently eliminate air pollutants.

These are just some of the most common ways by which we can help. By doing our part, the air and the environment, in general, will be on its way to a rapid recovery. We will all be living again in a safer, cleaner, better place.

But this remains a challenge for everybody. For the media to provide better information about likely climate change and its various local impacts, for governments, to set the necessary policy, for business and industry, to seize the opportunities for innovation and use of ‘clean’ technologies and for all communities and individuals in the world, to support the action being taken and contribute to it.

Earth is everybody's home and nobody likes living in a dirty home. Together, we can make the earth a cleaner, healthier and more pleasant place to live.