BROADCASTREEING by racquel m. caldez

“We all have a role to play in taking care of nature so that nature can take care of us.”  And so broadcasters in this light are not exempted.

It is definitely known that broadcasters are individuals who work in either radio or television as they are responsible for passing along pertinent information. They can also deal in a variety of subjects such as news, music, entertainment and more.

But at this juncture, the broadcasters were able to break away from their broadcasting board works and spearhead a different and worthwhile undertaking of tree planting. It is so wonderful that at the same time, Mirriam Webster dictionary defines “broadcast” as a means to sow over a wide area, especially by hand. And it is just proper that the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) merged “broadcasting” and “tree planting” to come up with a creative project “Oplan Broadcastreeing”.

 

OPLAN BROADCASTREEING

A project “Oplan Broadcastreeing” is designed to address the growing problem on environmental destruction and as broadcasters’ way of supporting the government, particularly on its National Greening Program (NGP) embodied in Executive Order No. 28, a priority program of President Benigno S Aquino III.

 

In Isabela, Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) provincial chapter President Alvin M. Alivia directed the said project, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Military, Philippine National Police, volunteer student planters and other groups associated with KBP.

 ENVIRONMENTAL WARRIORS

What makes the project more significant is the day it was implemented. In the aftermath of the devastation brought about by the typhoon Pedring and Quiel, the country’s broadcasters turned themselves into environment warriors with a nationwide, simultaneous tree-planting activity. As members of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), they braved the stormy weather and pushed through with “Oplan Broadcastreeing” planting a thousand tree seedlings.

They braved their way to show love to nature and to show their commitment to protect the nature. They were able to put into action their mission of contributing in their environmental concern advocacy.

WHAT’S NEXT?

After they’ve worked so hard to get their tree in the ground, what’s next? A tree correctly planted and well cared for will provide many benefit for years to come. Though trees grow on their own, they do need a lot of care and concern initially. It will only cause a loss of time and effort when the trees planted will have an undesirable results. And we are very sure that the broadcasters’ project includes nurturing the tree seedlings they planted. There is a need to ensure the sustainability and survival of the planted trees.

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Environmental protection is regarded as the most pressing social responsibility. The task of environment protection is a universal responsibility of all of us. So it is relevant that broadcasters took personal responsibility for the care of the environment. It is very significant that they took action so that they'll be able to pass on something to the next generation.

We are at this point in time of desperate need for action to protect our natural resources. And it is more common to hear that part of what we can actually do to help is to plant a tree. It seems like such a simple thing to do.  But the truth is; every tree makes a difference to better the earth.

Trees have always played an important part in people's lives, from providing shade and maintaining the beauty of the place. With the trees planted now by the broadcasters, they are giving the future generations the chance to enjoy, too, the beauty of the flowering and fruit bearing trees.

And trees are not just a beautiful creature standing among the many places of this world. It is very essential that directly ensures our survival.  Yes, planting trees save lives.  And so the broadcasters save lives. Every tree makes a difference.  That means every broadcaster who planted a tree also made that difference. 

In this way, the broadcasters are making an important gesture to the world in demonstrating their global concern and at the same time making their own little but significant, contribution to the protection of nature.

Rescued philippine eagle in Isabela needs rehabilitation by racquel m. caldez

ILAGAN, Isabela – The rescued Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) that is currently under the custody of Mayor Edgar T. Go in San Mariano,Isabela will undergo initial steps towards rehabilitation process.

The eagle will be transferred to a larger cage to regain flight skills and where other rehabilitation procedures will be performed.

Environment Head in Isabela William C. Savella said the DENR Field Office in Region 2 has available facility to accommodate the eagle.

Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) stated in her letter sent to the Mayor of San Mariano that the bird has to undergo a rehabilitation process prior to the release aimed at regaining the bird’s wild behavior such as hunting skills, flight and fear of humans.

Dir. Lim recommended the eventual release of the eagle back to its natural habitat preferably in capture site.

PENRO Savella divulged that the eagle which was rescued by a Dumagat in Sitio Diwagao, Dinapigue had undergone medical assessment by a veterinarian of the PAWB in Quezon City and discovered that the bird is under stress as indicated in the presence of “stress marks”.

Dr. Rizza Araceli Salinas, a veterinarian of the PAWB in Quezon City who undertook medical assessment of the eagle, revealed that the feathers of the captured 5 kilograms female eagle has stress bars and that the bird’s red and white blood cells counts are found within the normal range.

PAWB Staff of the DENR Central Office mentioned during the conduct of medical check-up that the Philippine Eagle is already tame because of its passive response to human presence.

The PAWB Director has initially contacted the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) to provide telemetry device to track the bird and ascertain its survival in the wild.

A team composed of DENR Region 02 and PAWB personnel will be conducting a site assessment in the area where the eagle was captured and will be released eventually.

The Eagle is globally recognized as threatened species. Capture and possession of threatened wildlife is strictly prohibited under Republic Act 9147 otherwise known as the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

BOOK "EARTHSAVERS VIEWPOINT" LAUNCHING

PENRO fetes stakeholders in Isabela for the success of the agency’s programs

ILAGAN, Isabela – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in this town honored recently the stakeholders in Isabela for their unquantified and unsolicited support to the various programs of the DENR such as re-greening of the environment, clean up of rivers and waterways, tree planting, implementation of ecological solid waste management as well as in the other concerns of the agency relative to forest protection.

Among the awardees during the Culminating Program of the Environment Month Celebration on June 29 are Local Government Officials, Peoples’ Organization, youth, media practitioners, Philippine National Police, military, private and business entities.

PENRO Isabela has decided to culminate its celebration of the Environment Month by giving out recognition awards to almost 50 exemplary partner-stakeholders at the DENR Pinaroc Hall here.

Jollibee Shell in Santiago City, Cauayan Grains Center, Spring Garden Resort, NE Santiago City, Gatioan Hotel Resort & Bowling were adjudged as the Most Environment Friendly Food Chain, Resort, Ricemill, Hotel, and Restaurant, respectively while LGU Echague was awarded for its political will and commitment in the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 9003 which resulted to massive seggregation at source.
Environment workers recognized environmentalists and advocates who were partners in the environmental protection and development for the impact of their unparalleled and dedicated contribution to communities and consistency in their performance.



PENRO William C. Savella thanked the stakeholders for collaborating with the DENR in caring the Mother Earth.

“We really need some great help from you…. our constituents, our peers, our successors. The gospel of environmental protection is waiting to be brought forth, so be with us in caring for our treasured surroundings that shall be shared and enjoyed not only by us but likewise for the future generation”, Savella said in his closing message.

The Environment Month celebration with the theme “Isang Planeta+Samu’t saring Buhay=Isang Kinabukasan” was highlighted with the distribution of seedlings to recipients who attended the program, information dissemination on how to plant trees, documentary film showing of Isabela and DENR Profile.#RMCaldez

SFC students, teachers attend Environmental Symposium by rmcaldez

Almost 300 students, teachers and school employees of Saint Ferdinand College (SFC) in Ilagan attended a 1-day Symposium on Environmental Awareness held at the St. Ferdinand College Gymnasium as part of the Ocean Month Celebration with this year’s theme: “Protecting our Seas: Saving our Lives, Saving our Future”.
In order to spread the message to the public particularly the youth who could help in conserving, protecting and sustainably managing the ocean resources, a symposium was conducted to increase the students’ appreciation of the importance of the ocean and to encourage them to contribute to on-going efforts as well as initiate action.
Lecturers from the Regional and PENRO Isabela offices discussed their topics with the aid of powerpoint presentation. Open forum was moderated every after topic 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.
PENRO Forestry Specialist Arnold D. Frogoso tackled the issue on Climate Change while Forester Enrique Pasion discussed the topic on Managing Coastal Ecosystem. Forester Dionisio Deundo lectured on the Unique Biodiversity of the Philippines and Ms. Jamelita Flores of the Regional Office explained the Philippine Marine Ecosystem.
Reflecting about environmental issues, student/teacher participants from SFC learned about global issues particularly on environment.
The symposium for the ocean month celebration was conducted highlighting the conservation, protection and sustainable management of the Philippine Coastal and Ocean resources as integrated in the different lectures to provide students with tools to develop skills needed for succeeding in the program, how to implement them, exploring ways to apply immediate action especially with regard to feasible solution in which everyone can participate.
May has been declared as “Ocean Month” in the Philippines through Presidential Proclamation No. 57 by former President Fidel V. Ramos. The Proclamation states that all relevant national agencies, local government units and other government agencies spearhead the observance

Plant TREES launched by racquel m. caldez

TUMAUINI, Isabela – Foundation for Sustainable Socitiety, Inc. (FSSI), Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTCF), Peace and Equity Foundationl (PEF), Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) with the support of the European Commission in partnership with the Provincial Government of Isabela, DENR, Local Government Units (LGUs) of San Mariano, Tumauini, and Ilagan launched recently the project “Plant TREES” Plant Towards Rainforestation and Eco-Enterprise in Sierra Madre at the Camp Samal in this town.
The project launching dubbed as Integrating Forestry and Local Governance with Sustainable Enterprise in Isabela aims to contribute towards the improvement of local governance towards sustainable forest management and poverty reduction in the province of Isabela. Specifically, it seeks to strengthen structures and multi-sector cooperation in the municipalities of Ilagan, San Mariano and Tumauini and also to improve the rural poor’s socio economic conditions through access to sustainable non-farm and farm-based livelihoods and enterprises in the community while ensuring sustained community-based forest protection initiatives.
Different related topics were discussed with video presentation, Highlighting the occasion is the signing of Solidarity Wall and Messages from the DENR Regional Executives, local officials of Tumauini, San Mariano and Ilagan towns.
Institutionalizing development support in local governance, strengthening communities in sustainable enterprise, capacity development on forest protection and enforcement are the project components.
On forest rehabilation and restoration, a 50-kilometer stretch of biofencing within the critical areas in buffer zones of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park will be set-up. Technical research will also be conducted and a 10-hectare area of community rainforestation for each municipality will be established.#

PENRO, IEPTF launch ISABELA project in four Districts by racquel m. caldez

ILAGAN, Isabela - The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of this province and Isabela Environment Protection Task Force (IEPTF) launched the Alay Tanim Para sa Inang Kalikasan which is one of the components of the Integrated Sustainable Agro-Forest Based Enhancement and Livelihood Alternative (ISABELA) Project in four Districts of Isabela province. This was launched during the Alay Lakad para sa Kalikasan from the Cathedral in Gamu to the provincial Capitol here.
Partnering with the Provincial Government of Isabela in the mission to preserve and demonstrating steadfastness, officials and employees of PENRO and CENROs in Isabela , Local Government Units, Philippine National Police (PNP), Military, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Other Government Agencies (OGAs), Academe, Religious Groups, and media practitioners joined in the launching of Alay Tanim spearheaded by Governor Faustino “ Bojie” Dy III and Vice Governor Rodito Albano III.
The province-wide launch of the Natividad Dy Alay Tanim Para sa Kalikasan was held in the identified sites in Barangay Rang-ayan in Ilagan for District I, Barangay Libertad in San Mariano for District II, Barangay San Francisco in San Guillermo town for District III and Barangay Quirino in Cordon for District IV.
The participants planted at least one fruit bearing tree and fourteen forest tree seedlings within the identified area of 5 hectares per site. Areas being planted were awarded to qualified stakeholders who served as stewards in charge of proper care and maintenance to ensure higher survival rate.
CENRO San Isidro Mindo N. Aquino explained during the concluded launching in the 4th District of Isabela, the effects of Global Warming. He encouraged the participants to plant trees even within their backyards to mitigate Climate Change.
PENRO Isabela William C. Savella reiterated the messages imparted by the dignitaries present during a short program held at Sitio Estampa in Barangay Quirino.
“Everyone has role to do to help in the environmental protection to mitigate climate change, Savella further said.
Almost 5,000 tree seedlings were brought to planting sites for planting in four Districts of Isabela during the scheduled launching. The Alay Tanim is a joint project of the DENR and Provincial Government of Isabela.
The enthusiastic participation of every individual is a manifestation that they are in one in their commitment to plant more trees to save a planet on the verge of irreversible collapsed.

DENR Isabela Chief backs EO 23 ‘Logging Moratorium’ by racquel m. caldez

ILAGAN, Isabela – DENR Isabela Chief William C. Savella expressed full support over President Benigno Aquino III’s issuance of Executive Order (EO) 23 on logging moratorium all over the country.

With these executive order, Savella strongly believed and agree with President Aquino’s declaration of the directive prohibiting for an indefinite period the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests (indigenous trees, not planted by man) and creating the anti-illegal logging task force in which the country’s chief executive signed on February 1 of this year.

“It is a good move for the Aquino Administration to protect the remaining forest cover”, Savella further said.

Environment workers said the directive emphasized that the country has been a witnessed to the changing climate conditions brought about by the La Nina phenomenon.

They divulged that the destructive effects are worsened due to the continuous denudation of forest zones attributed by the extreme illegal logging activities in some areas in the country.

DENR Regional Executive Director Benjamin Tumaliuan of Cagayan Valley urged the field offices to adhere with the instructions relative to Executive Order 23.

The DENR shall suspend the acceptance and processing of new and renewal/extension of Integrated Operations Plan and Annual Work Plan/Resource Use Plan Permits; suspend the cutting and harvesting operations of all existing tenure holders and permittees; suspend the acceptance and processing of new and renewal application for Wood Processing Plant Permits (sawmill, mini sawmill, veneer and plywood plants); suspend the issuance of transport documents for all logs cut and harvested in natural and residual forests prior to the issuance of EO 23 and transport thereof shall be allowed ONLY after proper inventory and upon CLEARANCE by Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Ernesto Adobo, Jr ; supervise the conduct of timber inventory of all logs cut and harvested and supervise immediate pull out of logging/cutting and hauling equipment from the areas programmed for logging operations in the natural and residual forests.

Usec Adobo directed the Regional Executive Directors to implement the aforementioned instructions pending review and evaluation of all existing Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), Socialized Integrated Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA), Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA).

Transmutation at the Crossroads….by mindo n. aquino

I’ve written this a long time ago but ‘twas shelved in my rickety table on a dim-lit corner of the olden house for obvious reasons:

“Here we are – at the crossroads. Hovering above is the crosswinds. After a long and arduous journey over rough and rugged roads, at times looking for glorious events and fascinating laurels to prop up the mortal ego, we’ve reached this far. But not far enough for varied reasons. The travel has for some time stop in the nick of time. Not because of fatigue factor nor compass distraction. Not because of conflicting policies nor unending vertigo of directives. Neither was it due to limited incentives or the lack of it…

“It is so because the burden on the heart and mind has become too heavy to bear, too pungent to swallow, too troublesome to handle. The Fearsome Threesome bit ya know. The dwindling zeal of belongingness, of participation, of camaraderie, sort of, had taken their toll. This, we now know, because of arrogant interventions and influences, torpedoed ideas, reverberating innuendoes, massacred opinions, insipid recitals of plans, and crumbling walls of beliefs and faith…

“The gospel of conservation, of sustainability and preservation of the natural land- scapes seem to land on deaf ears, dwell on insouciant attitude, sleep on over-bearing stance and evaporate from the cynical audience, from insensitive albeit demanding inhabitants.

“No matter what simple approach we want to employ just to stress a point, to manifest a consequence or to highlight a pattern, there is always a deliberate move to elude from the natural, to evade that which is realistic, to forego that which is basic and normal, and ethical.

“Which redound to unbearable reverberation of pain, bitterness, insolence, dismay, disbelief and yes, disgust.

“And so, after more than a decade, travel time has but to stop, for good, for posterity, for peace.

“And since here we are in this forlorn crossroads, we’ve got to look low in a bit of agony and emptiness; there is no more need to look back at the memorable (both positive or negative) events our feet have trodden upon. They just now serve as statistics on a once clear and spotless paper. Talk of history and you ‘re right. Talk of courage and you’re wrong. It is just plain destiny; nothing more, nothing less…”

This is one facet of nature’s preservation--for mankind. There are constraints along the way which may tend to degrade our faith but we should not lose hope as we perform our respective functions. For it is incumbent upon us to persevere--as employees, as citizens, as human beings, to hand-in-hand help in the sustainability of nature’s resources for the benefit of the whole and upcoming generation. Let old habits metamorphose into modern, realistic and attainable goals for Earth’s preservation and conservation.

Who cares about turning back? Beyond the crossroads I’m hoping against hope that there is no cul-de sac

DA, DAR, DENR to implement convergence initiative by racquel m. caldez

ILAGAN, Isabela – The agriculture, agrarian reform and natural resources will implement the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) to substantially contribute to the rural development sector outcomes of equitable access to abundant resources and increasing rural incomes. The three agencies are jointly responsible to ensuring that these outcomes are attained.

PENRO Isabela William C. Savella said that Convergence is a response to the fragmented delivery of agriculture and rural development services towards improved governance and maximize use of resources in support to one of the programs of the Aquino Administration.

Savella also encouraged stakeholders identified to support the implementation of the program as he said they are directly benefited.

Series of workshops was conducted in Isabela province with the Regional Technical Working Group to come up with Project Briefing Kit of the identified Local Convergence Agro-Enterprise Clusters (LCAEC) that will be launched on February 23 in Cauayan.

As stipulated in the joint Memorandum Circular on policy and implementation framework for the enhance national convergence initiative among DA, DAR and DENR, the convergence strategy shall focus interventions to the small , fisherfolks and marginalized upland dwellers especially those within the areas covered by the tenurial instruments of DENR and NCIP.

The administration of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III remains committed to ensure countryside development as the strategy for poverty reduction.

IEPTF MEETING by racquel m. caldez

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) William C. Savella answers environmental queries in a meeting with the Isabela Environmental Protection Task Force (IEPTF) chaired by Philippine National Police Provincial Director Jimmy Rivera held at the provincial Capitol in Ilagan.

DENR, DAR, DAR Convergence launched by racquel m. caldez

DENR Usec for Policy and Planning Demtrio l. Ignacio distributes land title to individuals during the Local Convergence launching witnessed by PENRO Isabela William C. Savella (left) Regional Executive Technical Director for Forestry Wilfredo Malvar and District II Representative Ana Cristina S. Go.



CAUAYAN, Isabela – The Convergence project of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was launched here, February 23 aimed at delivering the right program to support the food self-sufficiency program of the country.

The Local Convergence Agro-Enterprise Clusters in Isabela is a joint project of the agriculture, agrarian reform and natural resources in support to one of the programs of the administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to ensure countryside development as one strategy for poverty reduction.

DENR Undersecretary (Usec) for Policy and Planning Demetrio L. Ignacio who represented Secretary Ramon Paje of the DENR said in his message during the launching that the three main institutional players in rural development have a shared resolution to adopt the convergence strategy for a more focused and unified interventions. He vouched support through forest and climate protection project to the cluster as he gave emphasis on the National Greening Program of the Department.
Under the Handog Titulo Progran, land titles were awarded to 11 individuals in the three municipalities of San Mariano, Naguilian and Benito Soliven. Likewise. seedlings/planting materials for the Coffee Industry Development Project in Isabela were turned over to the municipalities of Echague, San Guillermo, San Mariano, Cordon and Angadanan by DENR USec Ignacio and DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.
During the launching, Department of Agriarian Reform Secrtetary Virgilio delos Reyes distributed Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to 138 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) covering 429 hectares.
Governor Faustino G. Dy III expressed gratitude to the three department secretaries for choosing Isabela as one of the recipients of the convergence initiative that will surely benefit Isabelinos.
These contributions of the three rural development agencies are being formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding among DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, DAR Secretary delos Reyes and DENR Secretary Paje with Isabela Governor Dy III.
The convergence initiative is a multi-sectoral and integrated planning approach wherein the three rural development agencies will undertake joint planning, programming and budgeting.
The Coffee cluster in Isabela covers 23 barangays in five municipalities of Angadanan, Cordon, Echague, San Guillermo and San Mariano. This cluster will be concentrated on 2,100 farm households to develop 700 hectares.

DENR, stakeholders to undertake greening program By racquel m. caldez

ILAGAN, Isabela - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 2 with partner stakeholders shall undertake the tree planting of 1.5 million seedlings in a total targeted area of 3,170 hectares starting this July to mitigate climate change, ensure water supply security, conserve biodiversity, establish agroforestry and alleviate poverty as part of the Greening Program of the Department dubbed as ‘Forests for People, Food Security, Poverty Alleviation and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.”

PENRO Isabela Forestry Specialist Arnold D. Frogoso explained during the Monday Convocation held at the DENR Office here, that forging of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be done continuously within the lifetime of the program specifically during the implementation phase of the social mobilization and project launching with volunteers/walk-in and interested adoptors.

“Planting activities will be undertaken regionwide within the identified areas for planting. The PENRO/CENROs with the stakeholders/adoptors shall conduct survey mapping of the specific sites identified during the pre-plating activities”, Frogoso further said.

Environment Head in Isabela William Savella likewise discussed the implementation scheme of the Greening Program.

He said that social mobilization strategies shall be adopted from the Regional, Provincial, Municipal and Community levels to ensure committed support participation of partners or adoptors in the different phases of the program.

The Region will coordinate with the 90 municipal mayors and 3 city mayors and other stakeholders in the implementation of the program.

In Isabela, PENRO and CENROs Cauayan, Palanan, Roxas, San Isidro, Cabagan and Naguilian will establish 990 hectares fruit orchard with a total seedling of 396,000 in watersheds, protected areas, urban and other open within access areas.