Saturday, December 5, 2009

DENR, LGU launch Cadastral Land Survey Project by racquel m, caldez

TUMAUINI, Isabela – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) represented by Regional Technical Director for Lands Gil Aromin and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tumauini represented by Mayor Arnold Bautista recently launched the Cadastral Land Survey Project in thiis town.
Tumauini Mayor Arnold Bautista said in his welcome message during the scheduled launching that his town was lucky to be chosen as one of the municipalities in three provinces in Cagayan Valley to implement the project.
PENRO Isabela Land Management Specialist Mylene Madduma who represented PENRO Alfredo Almueda said in her opening remarks that the project resolves technical issues that will benefit the people of Tumauini.
Chief, Land Management Division Engr. Eliseo Mabasa discussed the overview of the project. He said the benefits of the project provide comprehensive and accurate data on land resources; property boundaries are identified worked and survey; facilitate identification of concerted areas and in cases of overlapping claims; reduce land conflict if done properly; facilitate resettlement of landless settlers; help improve the social status of persons within the community; resolve provincial boundary disputes; and; expedite development of depressed areas.
RTD Gil Aromin expressed elation to 46 barangay officials of Tumauini for accommodating the said project while Chief Surveys Division Engr. Alberto Obedoza gave an elaborate presentation of the project.
Engr. Abraham Cuaresma who was chosen as the contractor of the project assured that all procedures will be followed particularly on the task to undertake cadastral survey.
Tumauini Vice Mayor Cristopher Uy said in his closing remarks proffered his all out support and for their part and cooperation for the success of the project.

DENR team up with Freemasons, LGU on climate change lectures

by mindo n. aquino

Cordon Isabela – DENR, Community Environment & Natural Resources Office in San Isidro, Isabela joined forces with the officers and members of Rufino S. Roque Memorial Lodge No. 289 in this municipality and LGU, here, for the series of lectures on climate change and global warming recently.
The lectures were conducted in five schools, mostly to high school students here with the intention to highlight their awareness on the ill effects of this phenomenon in the country and worldwide. A total of 1, 430 participants from Cagasat Main and Annex, Doňa Josefa Edralin Marcos, Diadi Region, and Wigan High Schools attended the forums together with LGU representatives, freemasons, and some personnel of the CENRO who spearheaded the lectures.
Given emphasis by the resource speakers were: how to minimize air pollution which will inevitably destroy the ozone layer which ultimately contribute to the rising mean temperature of the earth, proper sorting and disposal of solid wastes, planting trees in any available open spaces to serve as carbon sink or absorbers of carbon dioxide, etc.
A related sidelight of the gatherings held in four schedules and venues was the equally-important topic of RA 9147, the Wildlife Act of 2001; Migratory birds as Source of Bird Flu; and the Philippine Eagle as symbol of Filipinos’ resiliency and toughness.
In the open forum, however, most of the students were inquisitive about the effects of global warming and climate change and the ways to mitigate their ill effects. The lecturers also highlighted the adaptive measures that could be done to lessen the impact of this global phenomenon.
This activity was the brainchild of DENR in the CENRO level within the 4th district of Isabela in close coordination with the Freemasons led by Worshipful Master Rosito C. Moreno, himself a DENR personnel based at Diffun, Quirino, and LGU of Cordon thru SB member Ayson J. Villador, a Senior Warden of the Lodge. Assigned lecturers, Foresters Pedro P. Ramos, Jr. (PAWS Specialist of CENRO San Isidro) and Giovanie C. Taguinod are both members of R.S. Roque Memorial Lodge. VW Dennis M. Siclot, District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District R2-D (Isabela South and Quirino) lauded this joint activity saying this could pave the way for a wider multi-sectoral scope of implementation for the greater awareness of people in the countrysides

SFC students respond to global issues

by racquel m. caldez
ILAGAN, Isabela - While reflecting about education and society, the main objective of the students from Saint Ferdinand College in this town is to learn about global issues particularly on environment.
The Aktibong Samahan Agham Pangkalikasan of SFC responded to global issues with a two day seminar-workshop at the Arranz Hall with its theme “Responding to Global Challenges through Science and Technology”
Forestry Specialist Arnold Frogoso of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here, who was one of the invited Resource Speakers during the scheduled symposium said the objectives of the school reflects on issues about environment and make crucial decisions, develop among students the understanding and appreciation of the importance of protecting the environment and provide venue for students to promote Science Education.
Forester Frogoso spoke of the adverse effects of global warming over the world. His lecture on Climate Change ended on a hopeful note stressing importance of immediate action especially with regard to feasible solution in which everyone can participate.
“Integrated with the different lectures, the goal is to provide students with tools to develop the skills needed for succeeding in the program, how to implement them, exploring ways of documenting the learning among others to be able to apply that field to environmental issues”, Frogoso said.
The goal of the seminar is to provide an understanding of the diverse and broad aspects within contemporary global issues and to enable students to think globally. This knowledge based on a particular specialty is imperative to help students respond to global issues.

PAWCZMS Director lauds PENRO Isabela

by racquel m. caldez
TUGUEGARAO, City – Regional Technical Director for Protected Area Wildlife Coastal Zone and Marine Service (PAWCZMS) Jovito B. Layugan, Jr. lauded PENRO Isabela under the leadership of Environment Head Forester Alfredo M. Almueda for coming up with a detailed report on Coastal Clean-up.

In a memorandum sent to DENR Isabela, RTD Layugan acknowledged with gratitude the report submitted in the conduct of the activities in observance of the 24th International Coastal Clean-up drive.

“It was a complete report and a very good model to follow”, RTD Layugan mentioned in his memorandum addressed to the PENRO.

Forester Almueda thanked the IEC-in-charge of PENRO Isabela who prepared the Coastal Clean-up report for the job well done.

The activities undertaken by his office and other field offices during the clean-up was the hanging of streamer embossed with the coastal clean-up theme; Coordination with Local Government Units and Other Government Agencies (OGAs) regarding the scheduled activities; Waterways clean-up at the Pinacanauan de Ilaguen along Barangay Malalam in Ilagan; Ganano River in Echague among other rivers and promotional publicity thru tri media.

Regional officials evaluate UDP projects

by racquel m. caldez


ILAGAN, Isabela – Team from the Regional Office recently evaluated the province’s Upland Development Program from Magat Forest Reserve in Ramon and Cordon, Pinacanauan River Watersheds inTumauini and in San Pablo, as well as the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park inPalanan, Divilican and Maconacon.

The group inspected the prioritized sites and conducted interview with some of the beneficiaries who availed of the Emergency Employment and Pro-poor Livelihood Program of the government being spearheaded by DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

DENR records indicated that there are 1,032 hectares area covered/targeted under UDP being implemented in Isabela. According to PENRO Alfredo M. Almueda, the beneficiaries were all organized upland dwellers and members of community based people’s organization.
The UDP was launched last February in support of the government’s “Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program” (CLEEP), which is part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s efforts to curb the country’s unemployment rate being aggravated by the current global economic crunch.
PENRO Isabela has awarded 1,032 job contracts or “Letters of Agreements” (LOA) to upland farmers under UDP, representing 100 % of this year’s target goal.

CENRO San Isidro Mindo Aquino said the UDP in watershed areas is timely for the worsening scenario on global warming and climate change. He further said that Isabelinos especially upland dwellers and members of the community-based forestry programs who have been waiting for so long a time for government fund trickles, could at least breathe a sigh of relief for such alternative projects that could divert the undivided attention from the paradigm of tree cutting to tree planting.”

PENRO employees join fight vs extreme poverty by racquel m. caldez

The employees of the Depratment of Environment and Natural Resources Provincial Office joined all sectors of society, local agencies and stakeholders, other countries of the world and the United Nations in the observance of October 17 as the International Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty aimed at promoting awareness on the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.
The DENR has committed to participate in the lined-up activities in all field offices the whole month of October in support of this global commemoration.
In PENRO Isabela, the National Week of Overcoming Extreme Poverty to support the Stand United, Fight Poverty campaign was celebrated with various activities such as display of banner, flag retreat and recitation of the universal prayer and pledge to Stand United, Fight Poverty.
Isabela PENRO Alfredo Almueda stressed in his speech during a short program held at the PINAROC Hall in Ilagan that the answer to poverty comes from one’s self and by strictly complying with the conditions set by the Program, the beneficiaries will surely realize the greater scope for social change entailed in the Program. He urged his personnel to further advocate the government’s efforts in alleviating poverty and empowering people - a campaign of the United Nations to provide an opportunity for farmers, fisherfolk, youth and other stakeholders to gain deeper understanding of poverty, development and food security .
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 717 of 2004, October 1-23 of every year has been declared as the National Week of Overcoming Extreme Poverty (NWOEP). President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has tasked the National Anti-Poverty Commission to take the lead, monitor and evaluate the celebration.

NDPR Week focused on the rights of person with disabilities

by racquel caldez
The nation celebrated the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NPR) Week” on July 17-23 with this year’s theme “31 NDPR Week: Tungo sa Katuparan ng Karapatan ng PWDs” aimed at highlighting the importance of disability rights and ensuring the participation of vulnerable groups in all aspects of life particularly citizens with disabilities.
PENRO Isabela Alfredo Almueda urged all employees at the field offices to be proactive in implementing the action plan for the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) culled in the activities lined up for NDPR.
Almueda said the annual observance of the event stimulates public awareness and support on disability and concerns that will strengthen the involvement of the different government and non government organizations including the PWDs and the media.
Activities that were undertaken by PENRO Isabela on the weeklong celebration were hanging of streamer embossed with the NDPR theme, Distribution of IEC materials on Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, Lecture on the Rights of Person with Disabilities, Promotion and Publicity with the tri-media.
The National Disability prevention Week have been declared to be commemorated annually every third week of July which culminates on the Birth date of the Sublime Paralytic Apolinario Mabini on July 23. This proclamation has given recognition for him whose exemplary and dedicated heroic acts during the Philippine Revolution made him as an outstanding icon for person with disabilities.

DENREU infuses value-rich leadership to government officials

by racquel caldez

TUGUEGARAO City – The DENR-R2 Employees Union (DENREU) has teamed up with other government officials particularly Union Presidents in Cagayan for the conduct of a seminar-workshop on Value-Rich Leadership for Effective Catalysts at the Hotel Roma in this town.
The two-day seminar intends to address the need to infuse value-rich principles into the leadership systems of organizational movers specifically those who are prospecting to become leaders and are given responsibility to assimilate a leadership role.
DENREU Vice president for Legal Generoso Udanga said the activity judiciously equipped leaders with a battery tools, powerful strategies and positive principles in order to succeed in their roles.
Forester Ricardo Soriano, President of the DENREU emphasized in his welcome remarks the importance of the scheduled training.
“Potential and effective leaders are made through trainings: I hope through this training we will be able to gain knowledge”, Soriano further said.
Regional Technical Director For Protected Area Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) Jovito Layugan, Jr. who was tasked to deliver a message for the DENR Regional Executive Director posed a query to the participants on what does it take to excel in government service.
Msgr. Edgar Agcaoili explained the rationale of the seminar. He said the training will help a leader who aspires toward leadership role through the process.
Ms. Lucena Mercado of DENR-FASPO discussed the Basic Leadership Concepts and Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Atty. Egon Cayosa elaborately explained his topic on How to Get a Better Following, Msgr. Edgar Agcaoili talked on Leading Peers and Colleagues, Atty. Milagros Cayosa expounded on Leadership Myths and Challenges while Isabela Provincial Administrator Paul Fernandez tackled the topic:Develop an Upward Influence.
The intensive training effectively prepared participants to become agents of change focusing on the individual strengths and interests. Workshops and presentations are designed to boost organizational and individual leadership skills, while demonstrating to participants how to expand practical know-how and successfully rise to future challenges.
The participants gained a thorough understanding of the skills and principles of effective leadership and teamwork through actual team situation, the strengths and weaknesses of different leadership styles, and how to maximize the potential of people working together.
Participants were given opportunity to assess their leadership skills and actively participate in group decision making exercises. Over 94 percent of participants rate the leadership seminar learning experience highly rewarding. #rmc

DENR Isabela to intensify war vs. red tape

By racquel m. caldez
ILAGAN, Isabela -The Department of Environment and Natural Resources of this province will fully enforce all the requirements set by the Anti Red Tape Act of 2007 or R.A. 9485.
This was the pronouncement of PENRO Isabela Administrative Officer Henriza Azurin during the Monday Update dubbed as “Face to Face with PENRO” held at the DENR Pinaroc Hall here.
Azurin apprised the employees on anti-red tape programs and projects so as to improve frontline public services.
She further said that the activities include extensive dissemination of Republic Act No. 9485 otherwise known as Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA), seminar-workshop on ARTA, anti-corruption sensitivity seminar, assessment of frontline services, and enhancement of service standards.
She elaborated the CSC list of approved ARTA programs and projects such as: capability building/training for frontline employees especially of client-heavy agencies; launching of Citizen’s Charter; dialogues with stakeholders on how services can be enhanced; conduct of quarterly People’s Day by agency heads; set up complaints and assistance desk and mechanisms to eliminate fixers and fixing activities; and customers/clients online help.
PENRO Alfredo M. Almueda said the DENR had already taken all the necessary steps to ensure efficient and transparent delivery of services to the public and that all government employees are accountable for their official actions.
He assured that there will be open communication between among departments and with the citizenry as well.
“The Citizen’s Charter reinforces and simply legitimizes our way of delivering basic services,” the PENRO further said.
He further detailed programs currently in place in DENR Isabela that streamlined procedures in government operation.